Again, just a reminder that SOUR CH. 3 HAS BEEN EDITED AS OF FEB. 10. 10. Please go back and re-read the scene with Jake if you have not already. Thank you and sorry for any inconvenience caused. ):

A special thanks to all the people who have helpfully pointed out things that were wrong or just plain out of character. I pray that you will continue to do so! *Bows to awesome critics*

I have also noticed that a lot of you guys are feeling very sorry for Yishat. This is not my original intention, but it seems it cannot be helped. Nonetheless I hope to lessen this feeling of pity. :)

For I while I struggled in a sea of uncertainty and fear. It was as if I were swimming against the tide, and just when I began to calm or regain my footing another wave would crash against me, sending me sprawling into oblivion. Such was life for me after Tsu'tey's leaving. I grew afraid of going out or speaking in case someone might remember something. I was horrified every time Jakesully passed by our alcove, but most of all I was scared to see A'mari'k in case I should lose control of my mouth.

Once I dropped the pot I was working on just because some woman mentioned Tsu'tey's name. She'd looked at me strangely, and I hurriedly tried to explain that I was part of his group of admirers and his loss had traumatized me. To my relief, she'd laughed and told me that her daughter was also one of his admirers.

Whilst I was living like a criminal, for the others time passed our tribe sleepily. Children grew taller; elders held funerals, flowers blossomed. Slowly but surely I drifted out of my constant fear into a sense of incredulity.

So I had overestimated everything after all. I'd blown everything completely out of proportion, and nothing was to happen to me. Nothing! I should not have doubted the integrity of the clan, for we were all family, were we not? It truly was strange what blind panic could make one think. Now I found myself laughing at all those horror stricken nights spent glaring at that pile of ruined baskets. I was finally free!

I had so severely overestimated Tsu'tey's popularity as well. There was no massive mourning as if someone had died. The clan was really more confused than upset. Most of them were at peace with it and tried to work around the unfortunate event since they trusted Eywa's judgment. Needless to say, no one cared if he lost his bow or not prior to the night he fled. No one ever turned a suspicious eye against me. I was completely innocent, though somehow I didn't feel that way.

It was not that I was afraid I would be punished for a crime I did not commit, for that was all gone and over with now. In no way was I officially associated with Tsu'tey's departure, but nonetheless I felt responsible. In fact, it ran deeper than that. I daresay I missed his snarky presence. Him just being here in the tribe added sharpness to every morning, a sense of alertness every night. His fiery attitude sometimes annoyed the warriors, but without him they were void of inspiration.

A'mari'k failed to fill the gap that Tsu'tey had left behind, and despite the exhausting increase in hunts, the tribe grew a little too peaceful. Jakesully apologized formally for his lack of composure and all was forgiven, but none would forget.

To me it almost seemed as if the clan expected their Olo'Eyktan to experience no emotion other than complete wisdom and balance. Olo'Eyktan was really more of a presence than a person, and each one was expected to carry on the traditions of the last. There was no such thing as a rebellious Olo'Eyktan, though Jakesully had once come very close.

I once told my mother about this find, and she berated me sharply. "Your thoughts will lead you to your death;" she said angrily, "no one ever thinks anything like that!"

But I still believed it.

Perhaps this was not how it was in the past, but even now some still had nightmares of the former Hometree burning up the sky. We never knew the Hometree could fall. It was just not possible. But it happened… So what else is not as it seemed? More or less we were all aware that Eywa had somehow meant for this to happen but some still could not erase these images. The rest of the clan followed Eywa reverently and did not question her choices. It made me feel like an outsider for I sometimes contemplated Eywa's existence. I was sensible enough to keep this all to myself, though.

The clan's people were weary of Olo'Eyktan. Some still could not wrap their heads around the fact that he was born as a Sky Person. He did not truly understand our customs despite how much he tried. Much of the weariness was calmed after he apologized for his temper but not all were satisfied.

Father in particular grew upset. "Such empty words mean nothing if there is no explanation! I can't believe no one asked him why he said what he said… He scared our children. Never can I recall any instance when Eytukan acted like that."

"Eytukan has passed and Jakesully is our Leader now," I said to Father, aware of his fierce loyalty to Eytukan. Father had served him until the day of that accident when he was rendered unable to hunt. He'd never really taken to Jakesully, much like me.

He was not alone. As I got out more I overheard some things that often surprised me. I heard in bits and pieces plans to overthrow Olo'Eyktan. After a long debate with myself, I decided to tell Mother. At first I thought I was doing something heroic, but Mother just laughed and waved me off. "This is common, Yishat. There is no clan under the eye of Eywa that suits all! There will always be people who resent their rulers. It is natural. Eywa's children come in all forms, without which this world would be colorless. She plans for them so we may be tested, you see. The conspirators will never get anywhere- they're always all talk and no action."

I never did find out just who the conspirators were. However, I began to feel uncomfortable in the clan, surrounded by people whose intentions I was no longer sure of. Things had been so much easier when I was a child! Even Jakesully, who was often slow to notice such subtle changes in the behavior patterns of the clan, took note.

He noticed some other things, too. All along I knew I was slowly changing, but I had not known the extent of it until Jakesully stopped in his tracks one bright morning and gasped. "Yishat of T'yuhi? Is that really you?" It was the first time he'd acknowledged me personally, and after that he was merciless to strike up a conversation, awkward or not, each time our paths crossed.

I could not deny it any more. I'd begun to grow breasts and my hips expanded, much like Ma'hi's had. My old clothes did not fit me anymore, and I had to enlist the help of Paiiyi to make new ones with me.

Paiiyi and Ka'iil often visited me, and I them. Ka'iil must have spoken to Paiiyi about my involvement in Tsu'tey's leave, for he showed no sign of being upset at me. I was much indebted to her.

Time had been kind to Ka'iil, for he grew much taller and his arms grew stronger. I could no longer play with him anymore like we did as children. Ka'iil was one of my closest friends, but even I could not deny that now we were different in ways we could not help. As children, Paiiyi, Ka'iil and I often bathed together in Eywa's rivers. Now Paiiyi was looking at possible mates and Ka'iil was painfully aware of my new appearance.

One time I caught Ka'iil weaving another one of his baskets. This was just like any other time, except this time he was completely naked. I had not meant to stumble upon this sight by the rivers, so it was a surprise. It was widely known that Ka'iil often weaved baskets or made flower garlands in his spare time and sometimes to calm himself. Ka'iil did not notice me, but I could not help but feel a heat in my loins, watching the muscles in those strong arms twitch and move. Most of all, I could not take my eyes away from that thick thing hanging between his thighs. That night my sexuality awakened within me like a beast set free.

The beast tormented me every night. Sometimes I touched myself- I would feel my breasts with wonder, and sometimes I would think about how it must feel to have someone else touch them. I dreamed as well. In my dreams I was mated, but I could not tell with whom. The male Na'vi looked like any other, with a plain hairstyle and generic build. I would always wake from these dreams with sweaty hair plastered to my face and a burning heat between my legs. It seemed Eywa enjoyed playing tricks on me.

After the incident with the bow, I delved into the art of basket weaving with a new vengeance. I would not forget Eywa's injustice towards me, but I refused to admit I was good for nothing. So Eywa does not want me to be a warrior. Fine, then. I had not given up, but I would find something to do whilst I waited for the right time.

Lady Mo'at, who'd taken to mending baskets in her spare time, was unnaturally kind to me and even lent me some of her own tools. Sometimes I wondered if they all knew something I didn't- if Eywa was once again instructing the former Tsahik what to do.

Every so often whilst I was mending a basket or sewing up a tear in a piece of armor, my mind wandered to Tsu'tey. Where was he now? Was he well? Was he somehow watching over me this instant? Most people believed Tsu'tey fled to join another clan. It had happened before, so it was definitely plausible. However, it was distressing to think I was somehow becoming attached to Tsu'tey, so I pushed my concerns away. He was not a part of my life anymore, and good riddance. There was much to celebrate- my sewing and weaving had drastically improved, and it had been noticed. Mother complimented me on the quality of my stitching, and father smiled more often.

I seemed to have finally entered into a state of balance. The tide calmed and I was able to drag myself to shore. Everything was good again. Neytiri did not hold any grudges against me, to my relief. In fact, she acted as if that night, the one I would remember forever, did not even happen. Jakesully became kinder than usual; sometimes going as far as to involve me in a conversation. I was of age and now I finally looked it. Friends and neighbors began pestering me about taming my own Ikran, but I always politely refused. Some Na'vi who had never even made any attempts to speak to me before started to start up conversations with me. It was quite exhilarating to be able to speak to them, although they became uncomfortable with me after I informed them I had not tamed my Ikran.

Now that I honestly thought about it, there was no reason for me to deny myself an Ikran any more. Each excuse had been pummeled into the dust. I finally looked like an adult, and no one laughed at me now. I'd gained Jakesully's acknowledgements and he now looked at me questioningly every time before leading a group of Na'vi to the mountains to tame their Ikran. One time it had almost become too much to bear and I was just about to step up to follow him before I stopped myself. No, not yet. Something still was not right. The tribe's people gave me respect now, but it was not their respect I sought.

-x-

Ma'hi's home still looked immaculate when I entered, but now there hung about the space a dense anxiousness. My sister sat with her back facing me, looking out a partially covered window. Dim light fell into the room, which now smelt of stale medicinal herbs. Her hair was no longer glossy, now falling in thick unkempt tendrils down her back. Her skin was dulled and her eyes hollowed. She looked terribly sick.

"I am cursed, Yishat," she wailed into her hands when I pulled her into my arms. "I am cursed! What good is a mate if she cannot bear sons for her warrior?" She sobbed into my shoulder, staining my skin with her tears. I felt as if my heart was being torn in two, and I began to cry also. This was a common occurrence. I'd taken to visiting Ma'hi every time I had the chance.

Her happiness had not lasted. A'mari'k needed a son to carry on his name, and Ma'hi was unable to produce one. Then Eywa turned a cruel eye against her and Ma'hi was not even granted a daughter. She was barren. Mother and Father could do nothing for her. In fact, they seemed uncomfortable discussing the topic with her altogether. It was obvious that Mother and Father did not liked to think of themselves as parents of a barren Na'vi, but even so I found it cruel.

Upon questioning, mother sighed and told me, "I am beyond the age for advice, especially for Ma'hi. She is A'mari'k's mate now, and we are not her family anymore. Besides, it is Eywa's will." Mother's face darkened into a frown, "You know this, Yishat. Are you so obsessed with Dreamwalker traditions that you have forgotten your own culture?"

Jakesully used to teach us about his world's culture. In his world parents stayed with their children for as long as they liked and holding hands was a romantic gesture. At first, he told stories to whoever asked and no one thought anything of it. It was only when the children started complaining about eating certain foods that we started to notice a problem. Afterwards, young Na'vi women began smearing red war paint on their lips in their spare time. At this point Neytiri decided that Jakesully's 'stories' were no longer acceptable. Jakesully of course obeyed her every wish, much to our amusement.

However, despite mother's constant reassuring, Ma'hi's situation only worsened. Night after night she cried and yelled. Sometimes A'mari'k's voice rose to a point where neighbors grew afraid and begged us to intervene. Their arguments became notorious for their length and volume. Soon I began to check up on her regularly to see to her safety. Our relationship had been a rocky one, but now I knew my instincts had been right. From the beginning I'd known A'mari'k was not good for Ma'hi, but I had not said anything. Now I wished I had, and maybe things would be different. I had once been jealous of her, but now I felt nothing but overwhelming pity.

The clan as a whole mourned for Ma'hi. Whenever she stepped out of her home she would be bundled up with gifts and soft words, but this only made her uncomfortable. She began to show her face in the clan less and less, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Even when they wanted to see her, Mother and Father were sometimes denied access. Ma'hi just wouldn't open that door.

Ma'hi was not a strong person emotionally. She was sensitive and broke down easily. Father often compared her to one of his pots. Father's pots were made of a special type of clay, and he protected his creations fiercely, much like he did Ma'hi. The pots were very fragile. Hold them gently and they will not break, but they would shatter with the tiniest amount of pressure. It was all made worse for Ma'hi, for since childhood she was treasured and protected as the oldest daughter, the one who would mate first. She had never been exposed to such problems before in her life.

Ma'hi eyed my form with poorly concealed abhorrence. She had noticed my change as well. I was foolish to come here dressed as I am. I should have dressed more modestly, if not only for Ma'hi's sake. She tugged at one of my braids, "I don't understand, Yishat! Why?"

With Ma'hi being in the state she was in, I was cautious to not say anything that might offend her. "It will turn out alright in the end, Ma'hi. Remember that your family is always here. If you wanted to come back…"

She glared at me with those watery pale yellow eyes, bearing all her teeth in a scowl. Ma'hi pushed away from me. "That's easy for you to say, Yishat. Just because everything turned out right for you does not mean I will receive the same! You do not know what it feels like to be mated, Yishat. I cannot leave him!"

I resisted the urge to slap her, and held my tongue. Don't be sour, Yishat, I told myself. You finally look like an adult, now act like one. Ma'hi turned back and forth, seething, muttering incoherent words and phrases every now and then. She was becoming insane; such was the price of having one man become her whole tribe. I did not try to touch her again until she calmed considerably. "A'mari'k is on a hunting trip and will not be back until morning," she said, "please do not leave me, Yishat."

I answered her with a heartfelt embrace and felt her melt against me. Then I cleared the table of the bowls of herbs she used to stimulate pregnancy. Neytiri prescribed them, but none worked. I knew A'mari'k was growing desperate, for being a father would bring him into a higher standing still in the Na'vi social hierarchy. It was not necessary of course, since he was already highly respected as a warrior. I must say I did not know A'mari'k very well even though we were family now. However he always came off to me as one who was never sated.

There is a song young Na'vi children sang that spoke of such a Na'vi. He lost himself in the forest but once recovered, he so gorged himself so on food that he died the very next day. All the elders warned him, but he had not listened. The children's song made light of this story but now I could not help but shiver each time I recalled it.

It was highly uncommon that a Na'vi woman was barren, and so the relationship between A'mari'k and Ma'hi became strained. A'mari'k of course would desperately want a son or even a daughter, but Ma'hi was not able to provide either. It was truly tragic and almost unbelievable that Eywa had allowed this relationship to blossom in the first place.

After opening a window to aerate the room, I unwound Ma'hi's braids and gently picked at the knots that had gathered in her hair. Ma'hi had not been taking care of herself lately. I took hold of a large pot in a corner of the spacious alcove and filled it with rainwater from a system of hollowed wood and vines which transported water from the tops of the tree to nearly each personal alcove. Every Hometree had the vines, but they were not accessible to everey room. To maximize productivity, Jakesully proposed the idea of the hollowed wood. It was a new concept to our tribe but we adapted to it quickly. It was very useful.

I laid Ma'hi out on her cot and held her head as her hair tumbled into the pot of water like snakes falling into a lake. Such a lake would do wonders for Ma'hi's health, but I did not have to ask to know that Ma'hi would rather stay inside. Now when I honestly thought about it, Ma'hi was in a much worse position than I was. I had yet to mate and was still young, but she was mated, trapped and barren. I shuddered, for I could not imagine myself barren. All our lives we've been brought up to become mothers and now to have it all taken away… It must have been devastating to Ma'hi.

"I should have known it was too good to be true…" M'ahi had a far away look to her eyes as she said this. She must be remembering the good days.

I found some sweet smelling flowers and crushed them in my hand. Glimmering juices spurted out of the common flower which I had seen Paiiyi eat many times. I massaged the perfumes into Ma'hi's hair gently. She sighed, "thank you, Yishat."

-x-

I waited for A'mari'k's return. Eywa was slowly spilling light onto the earth, and soon he should emerge from the forests with the kill. The story or song of the transition between Day and Night was one each Na'vi child knew. Some aspects of the story are dependant on which tribe they are in, but the general idea was the same.

Every morning, Eywa, who has no face or body, gives birth to the day. She takes the water from her womb and spills it upon the earth, where it transforms into light. Then at night, Eywa drinks up the light once more. All who have perished are returned to her womb with the light, where they can be renewed and reborn.

Eywa is all around us, in every living being or element. The air which we breathe to survive comes from Eywa's mouth. The fire that warms us is none other than her bright spirit. The land on which our Hometree grows is her body, and the great rivers carved into the land receive its water from within her womb. We are her children, and we work hard to maintain Eywa's balance. Such was the concept taught to Jakesully which had since then changed his life.

Ma'hi was sleeping in her hammock when her mate returned. The warriors were just colorful little dots on the ground from my altitude. The most colorful point, which I recognized as A'mari'k, was hauling along some beast I could not name from my position on the Hometree, but it looked big. Despite it being a good kill, he only stopped to drink one cup of ale in celebration. I could tell the problems at home were weighing down his spirit.

He dropped the beast for the home tenders to skin, and bade good will to all his warriors. There was no energy, no gratitude. Usually the warriors would dance in Eywa's honor after such a large kill, but A'mari'k did not call for one. I could tell his warriors were slightly upset, for Tsu'tey would have done different. It did not help that A'mari'k looked so much like the former leader either. Sometimes it was a shock to see A'mari'k strolling around Hometree, for he looked so much like Tsu'tey. That was, until one saw his tail or heard him speak.

I was lost in my thoughts when A'mari'k rounded a corner and stopped in front of his doorway. "I see you, Yishat. What are you doing here?" He'd come up so fast!

"Brother," I greeted evenly, "how was the trip?" I never got over that first sense of severe distrust of the Na'vi. We were not as close as families often were, and it was only made disturbingly clear when he openly avoided me in public and only spoke to me when necessary. In any case, with the passing of the seasons I felt the passing of my anger. It would not do well any more to contain anger, for it was negative energy. One afternoon I meditated and washed myself thoroughly in one of Eywa's rivers. As the water dried from my skin, Eywa drank up my negativity and hate, freeing me from myself. A'mari'k was my brother now, so I might as well love him.

A'mari'k laughed wearily, stopping at Ma'hi's hammock and stroked her hair gently. "You have seen me return, Yishat. Tell me now; what did you really want to say?" I watched as he brought a lock of Ma'hi's unbound hair to his nose and inhaled her scent. I could not be sure if this was a spectacle or not, but the scene warmed my heart and my face.

It was good that Ma'hi was asleep. "Yes, brother. I wanted to ask if you would lead me into the Thundering Rocks to tame my own Ikran."

A'mari'k straightened to his full height and studied me closely, giving me the faintest of smiles. "So you are ready."

I nodded. I was. This was what I had to do.

"Why don't you go with Olo'Eyktan Jakesully? He will lead a group into the mountains in a few nights." A'mari'k turned his back to me and began to strip himself of his armor. His arms and back in particular were riddled with scars and marred with bruises. I could not fathom what his chest looked like. Distantly I wondered what Ma'hi thought of all this.

There was a clasp on A'mari'k's back which he could not reach, so I untied it for him. He uttered reluctant thanks. I hoped he did not notice the coldness of my hands. I had just thought of untying Tsu'tey's armor and a cold sweat came over me. The similarity in hairstyle was particularly striking from the back. However, I did not forget A'mari'k's cruelness to me the first few nights following Tsu'tey's leaving. Whilst he did not speak to me, he being there in his new hairstyle was enough to make me shudder from fear, and he knew it. Those days had been truly miserable; I was constantly on alert and scared of everyone who tried to interact with me. It was a miracle no one had noticed anything.

I thought carefully before speaking, choosing words I knew would flatter A'mari'k. "I do not want to go with Olo'Eyktan Jakesully, brother. I want to go with you. There is no stronger warrior or advisor than you, and so you are naturally the best choice."

The tall male yawned, "you are very ambitious, Yishat. Alright then, I will leave with you tomorrow." He was naked save for a loincloth now, and was searching in his pots for something.

I thanked him and was about to leave when I saw Ma'hi turn in her hammock. Her entire form was relaxed, her face open; she was still asleep.

"Brother, please do not hurt my sister."

A'mari'k stopped mixing an herb concoction, the sudden loss of sound just a bit frightening. His back still faced me and he was completely still. "Why would I do that?"

Now he was just playing me. I tried not to let my annoyance sneak into my voice. "You know why, brother. You want a son, and Ma'hi cannot give you one. I even hear you two arguing sometimes, and- "

Now he turned towards me decisively, a hard expression on his face. His chest was bare, a smooth expanse free of scars. "I will see you tomorrow, Yishat. Thank you for visiting my home."

-x-

A'mari'k's words only stayed in my mind for the briefest moment. I did not feel the joy of what I was about to accomplish until then. I thought of registering my journey to Jakesully and Neytiri, just to let them know I would be gone. Neytiri would surely be pleased, but I decided against it just because I knew Jakesully would become very upset. I didn't understand what it was with him, but the behavior he exhibited for me was no longer natural. He became far too curious, asked too many questions and made remarks on my sewing even though he had no idea what he was talking about.

It scared me a little, because now I knew for sure there was something he was hiding from me. Did Neytiri speak to him about her suspicions? But why was he acting so kind?

The Sky people had a saying they liked to use: "Speak of the devil and he will appear". I did not understand who or what a 'devil' is, but Jakesully explained that this phrase would be used when someone shows up just as you are speaking or thinking about them.

I'd rounded a corner and immediately caught sight of the long trail of feathers of the headdress that belonged only to Olo'Eyktan. I could not see Jakesully's being, but I could hear his voice. I was standing in a secluded corridor which led off to many unused rooms. How did I come to be here? I never took this route when returning home!

At first I was simply confused and moved to leave before I was stopped by sliver of conversation. Jakesully seemed to be speaking in earnest Lady Mo'at, and for once he was not stuttering. My interest held me rooted to the ground beside the very room they were in. I would certainly be caught if any of them came to the doorway unannounced, but something told me they would not be leaving soon. The recklessness of the situation gripped me with a passion. I knew it was wrong, that I could get into deep trouble, but my body betrayed me.

From the sounds of tinkling and clay pots clanging against each other, I guessed Lady Mo'at was mixing medicine. Her voice was slightly hoarse as she spoke, "The clan's peoples are losing their respect for their Olo'Eyktan, Jakesully. You did well to apologize but it is of no use. One mistake and it sticks like sap!"

"I understand, Mother," he replied dully, "I should not have shown such a display of emotion. It will not happen again in front of the tribe."

A scoff. "In front of the tribe? You shout at my daughter?"

"…No! I only did so because the information was so new… I do love Neytiri very much. I don't like this secrecy between us." I could tell Jakesully was holding back further remarks that could potentially cause offense to the former Tsahik. He was wise in doing so, for Mo'at was not kind when angered.

"It does not matter what you like or don't like! Speak to Eywa often and your soul will be given solace. Eywa will take all your sadness, anger and guilt and she will turn it into joy." I had the feeling this was a speech she made very often during her time as Tsahik. "As Olo'Eyktan you are trusted to be a confidant, and you must keep many secrets. Yes, Jakesully, even from your mate! I sense your guilt is strong, but you must work to crush it."

"I have no guilt any more," he did not seem fazed by Lady Mo'at's words. "After much contemplation and asking Eywa for support, I know fully well that I am not responsible for his leaving."

Were they speaking of Tsu'tey? My breath hitched and I covered my mouth, hoping no one had heard.

Lady Mo'at sounded annoyed, "Yes, but you are responsible to see that his gap is filled! And what of the conditions of his leaving? Did he not spend much time in your own home to make the conditions clear?"

What? So Jakesully not only knew Tsu'tey was leaving, but there were conditions now? Tsu'tey had actually spoken to Olo'Eyktan about them?

As if sensing someone was sure to hear, the Olo'Eyktan lowered his voice. "I will do what I can, but I cannot stop what is inevitable from happening! The clan wanted it, so who was I to reject them of this?" Here something clattered, and Mo'at swore. I'd never heard her swear before, and despite myself I found it slightly amusing. The conversation did not make sense to me, but I took each word in greedily and stored it in my memory. Something told me this knowledge would become indispensable later on.

Then I heard something being thrown across the room, and Mo'at's voice rang clear and venomous, "You have led our clan to freedom during the war, Jakesully. But can you do it again when the war is within you? How are they to follow their leader if they do not believe in him? You will do what you need to, Olo'Eyktan. Our people need a leader. Do not worry about Neytiri, for she is only Tsahik and you are Leader!"

"Yes, Mother." A sigh of resignation. I smiled at the idea that even the Great Olo'Eyktan must follow his mother's orders.

Mo'at continued, "I sense negative energy in pockets all around the Hometree; my daughter has sensed it too. Something is coming… Watch over your charge carefully and understand you are not to trouble Neytiri with this. She is tired as it is, the palms of her hands have wrinkled from constant washing- have you noticed?"

"Yes, she is neglecting herself. I make sure to see that her hands are soaked in Chalice Plant nectar every night… It smells horrible, but it really does help…"

"Really? I must give it a try…"

The conversation drifted off to the subject of Neytiri's hands, so I peeled myself away from the wall I'd been leaning against. It was all too much to digest.

…So things were not as they seemed. Tsu'tey had a definite reason for leaving, and it was not Eywa. Thus my meticulously obtained balance had shattered like one of Father's pots. The only thing was that it was I who had pushed it over the edge. I did not regret to having eavesdropped, for now I was not ignorant. However, I just as easily could have done without.

Eywa had led me here. I was never one to eavesdrop.

-x-

Both mother and father were very pleased that I was finally going to tame my own Ikran. Mother set out a feast for our small family of three and I tried my best to smile and laugh like I was supposed to. I had nothing against it, but I my head was pounding with confusion. That night I lay awake, pondering the conversation I'd less than accidentally overheard. The more I thought about it, the less it made sense. Finally I drifted off to a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, Mother gave me beautiful bead necklace, and I promised her I'd wear it once I returned. Father was a little apprehensive about my choices, however.

"Why A'mari'k?" He asked as I massaged his shoulders. His back sometimes pained him now, and he was no longer able to run.

I shrugged, though he could not see. "I don't know." I do know, father. But you won't like hearing it.

"Why don't you go with the Olo'Eyktan?"

Before I could answer, Mother flicked a seed at Father playfully. "The girl cannot wait, dear. Let her go." Father picked up the seed from where it landed on his leg and put it between his lips. He did not chase me further on the issue, but father was not stupid. It was very likely that he'd already figured it out.

Father did not speak often. Sometimes he looked into the distance and just stared at nothing for much time. When he spoke his words were worth the greatest jars of Blumay. "You are like a reed, Yishat," he began sagely. "You twist and bend in the wind… And just when we think you are about to snap, the storm passes and you stand up straighter than before!"

We laughed. Secretly I thought of how Ma'hi was compared to those fragile pots and thought myself victorious. So I was stronger! But Father's pots were precious to him… Who cared about a river reed?

Mother took my face in her hands and gazed down upon it lovingly, "I knew this day would come, Yishat, and what a glorious day it is! A day blessed by Eywa herself! Is it not, dear?"

Father murmured a monotone agreement and returned to picking at his old battle scars. Mother and I laughed again and teased at him until A'mari'k arrived. He was dressed sparsely with dull colors, as did I. Ikran did not like particularly bright colors, not to mention we did not want to draw attention to ourselves. We both knew Jakesully wanted to lead me into the mountains himself in particular, so it would not do for us to be sighted now. I felt a brief moment of confusion at A'mari'k's sudden compassion. Now that I thought about it, A'mari'k should not have accepted to take me into the mountains. It was just not his role, not to mention he owed nothing to me. Yesterday I would not have thought anything of it, but after hearing that strange conversation I could not be sure of anything anymore. Nonetheless, it was my time.

"I see you, Yishat."

"I see you, brother."

Mother and I embraced once more as father shook A'mari'k's hand. I heard them having a brief murmured conversation before mother pushed me towards the two males.

We left Hometree just as Eywa was giving birth to the light. I had not known then that the journey would so drastically change the course of my life forever.

OH NO! What is Jake keeping from Neytiri? Who is his 'charge'? What were Tsu'tey's conditions? WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? D: Have a cookie and wait. :)

I'd like to take this space to address once again a concern that has come up.

Q: Some things don't make sense. The Na'vi are supposed to be all loving, so why is all this bad stuff happening?

A: Since I am writing a fanfiction, everything here is from my perspective of the Na'vi world. Some people have pointed out that some things did not make sense due to Na'vi customs (they are supposed to be all loving, perfect world, etc?) but I honestly cannot fathom such an existance. If there is good, there has to be bad. Since the main concern was the problem with the suspicion of Yishat, I hope it has been settled in this chapter.

You guys take thoughts too seriously! :D I suppose I write too authoritatively then. I'll work on it to lessen confusion.


Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter! Your reviews and critiques improve this story constantly. Thanks again! (Happy late Valentine's day!)