Chapter 07
Jake watched Tsu'tey talk to Kel'ris again, but this time he was secure in the knowledge that Tsu was really his and that Kel'ris' interests lay elsewhere.
He raised his eyes and focused on Norm sitting next to the children that Grace herself had taught, gesticulating wildly as he described something.
Happiness caught Jake unaware at the thought of Norm finally being happy again. He hadn't seen much of the other man since Max had been killed a few weeks ago as he had hidden himself away from them. Only Kel'ris had known where to find him and had been with him constantly. A few days ago Norm had gone back to normal, that had been around the same time the human had asked Mo'at to become a member of the tribe.
While Jake had liked Max he had secretly known and feared that a human wouldn't last forever in an environment like this.
*****Flashback*****
Mo'at took a gentle hold of Norm's hands, grounding him in his grief. "He has joined with Eywa, Norm."
Norm raised his grief stricken face, eyes unfocused and tears flowing freely. "No…"
"I am sorry for your loss, Norm. But everything goes back to Eywa one time. This place," she gestured around, "was never meant for humans. It is unfriendly towards you, but you decided you wanted to stay nonetheless."
A sob tore free and Norm freed his hands from her gentle grasp, stumbling up he found himself caught in another embrace. Looking up he saw the warrior that had been at their side all the time. Not able to stand the thought of anther reminder of his far too short time with Max he tore free and ran as fast as he could.
Mo'at looked at Kel'ris and saw the longing in his eyes. "Let him go for now, Kel'ris. He has to grieve in peace, alone, for now."
The stoic warriors face softened in worry, "Do you think he will be alright?"
"I am sure you will be able to keep him from falling into darkness," she smiled knowingly at him, laughing when he squirmed uncomfortably.
"How…" he stammered, thinking that he had been hiding his attraction for the other male well enough.
Laughter ebbing away Mo'at smiled gently, "It is Eywa's wish for all of us to find our mates. Some come across them before they join Eywa and some just afterwards. When he arrived with Grace the first time I saw you looking at him. Even as you hated the intrusion and change they symbolized you could never bring yourself to hate him, could you?"
Sighing in defeat Kel'ris admitted, "No, I could never hate him…"
Satisfied the shaman answered, "And that is why he will survive. He has you."
*****End Flashback******
Kel'ris had told Tsu'tey and him about the conversation after they both had given him their blessing and Jake had apologized to him for his rage.
The Na'vi had looked at Tsu'tey and after receiving a nod he had taken hold of Jake's hand and pulled him in a tight embrace, welcoming him into the tribe and Tsu'tey's family.
Momentary stunned by the contact Jake caught himself and returned the embrace, knowing how important Kel'ris was to his mate.
"You have our permission to court him, Kel'ris. But if you hurt him you'll have to deal with me!" Jake reminded him.
Gravely nodding Kel'ris answered, "I will not hurt him voluntary, Jake Sully. And I promise to only approach him when he finished his training and fully understands our customs."
Glad to have brought the point across Jake took his seat next to Tsu'tey, "I don't know if he is ready for another relationship yet. Max loss hit him hard."
Kel'ris looked at where Norm was sitting with the children, "Yes, it hurt him deeply to lose the first one that understood him. But when I found him the first time he hid himself from everyone, he confessed that they hadn't really loved each other. I have to admit that I did not fully understand the difference between loving someone and being in love…"
Seeing his friend halting Tsu'tey slung his left arm around his mate, "Loving someone is reserved for friends and family, while you are in love with your mate. It is a deeper feeling, burning hotter that any flame ever could and soothing you when you are together." The leader of the Omaticaya blushed when he Jake leaned over and gently kissed him.
Releasing the kiss they saw Kel'ris smile gently at them, "Yes, I understood that when I found out that I was in love with Norm. To my shame I have to admit that I was glad to hear that they were more friends, together because of loneliness and friendship, instead of being in love."
Now curious Jake asked, "He really told you that?"
Nodding the warrior looked back at Jake with a certain hunger entering his eyes, "Yes, and all I could do was restrain myself to comforting him rather that confess all that had been hunting my thoughts."
Smiling at the thought of the warrior falling to his knees and confessing his undying love to Norm Jake stood up suddenly, "I'll talk to him a bit." Giving his mate's hand a gentle squeeze he made his was over to Norm.
Sitting down Jake soon had two children snuggle into him while still listening to Norm's story. Seeing the longing glance shot at the other by the warrior still seated with his mate Jake waited for Norm to wind down before talking to him, "How are you, Norm?"
At first Norm looked ready to deny ever feeling anything other that good, "It gets better, Jake. I still miss him, but we both knew that we probably wouldn't last forever. He knew…" clearing his tightening throat Norm continued, "He was ill, you know…had a tumor in his brain. Max would have died, probably within the next year. That damned stubborn doctor insisted to not take his damn meds!"
Seeing Norm about to lose it Jake took hold of his friends arm, tugging him up, making the children grumble at them for leaving.
They walked a bit before sitting down on a log, "He was ill?" Jake asked disbelievingly.
"Yeah, he came to Pandora because they promised to heal him. But he couldn't stand to just sit back and watch what happened to the Na'vi. When he stayed here he...we both knew that it would happen." Norm admitted with his eyes fixed on the ground in front of him.
Taking a deep breath Jake gently asked, "You really want to become a member of the tribe?"
Surprised Norm raised his head, "Where…?" A smile tugged at his mouth, "Your mate can't keep anything for himself, can he? Yes, I want to be part of you. I hate being alone and the others can't stand me. While they supported the fight for the Na'vi many of them are sick of being reminded about it by my avatar."
Raising his eyebrow Jake couldn't help himself, "Is that all?"
Blushing Norm looked at the ground, "What else could there be?" Fidgeting he raised his eyes to meet Jake's when the silence continued.
"Kel'ris, maybe?"
The blush returned full force and Norm sprung up, "I don't know what you're talking about, Jake!"
Tugging the smaller Na'vi to him he gently embraced him, "You have to seize the chance, Norm. He talked to Tsu'tey about you…" seeing dismay cross Norm's face Jake continued, "He asked permission to court you. Kel'ris has real feelings for you and after you finish your training he wants to officially court you." Jake thought about the changes he had went though after meeting the Omaticaya and how he was finally able to overcome the human part and touch others more casually than ever before.
Swallowing hard Norm couldn't help but ask, "He…he really wants to…why did you tell me?"
Jake released his hold on Norm, "I want you to think about what you want. Honestly, I like Kel'ris and don't want to see either of you hurt. You could be great together and be really happy. But I don't want you to be with him if you're not in live with him. I know that you loved Max, but you weren't in love with him. Don't settle yourself with someone that you'll never be able to give yourself to wholly."
Norm looked at Jake in absolute wonder, "You're not the damn arrogant Marine anymore, are you?" Shaking his head Norm asked, "Is it worth it?"
A smile so radiant as if the sun had just risen emerged on Jake's face as he answered, "It sure is!"
A cry startled them out of their thoughts and they ran over to the fireplace.
Tsu'tey was standing crushed in a fighting stance and Jake saw another Na'vi looking at him with a damn smirk, tightening his hold on a child he held against his chest with a knife at her throat.
"Are you ready now, Tsu'tey? It is time to take your rightful place at my side!" The unknown male licked his lips, eyes never leaving Tsu'tey.
Sneering at him Tsu'tey snarled, "I have a mate, No'tak! And we were never meant for each other."
Rage entered No'tak's eyes, "Eytukan banned me from the tribe because you denied me! And now you've taken another?! Where is the damned Omaticaya that dared to take what is mine?!"
Jake shrugged of Norm's hold on his shoulder and stepped forward, "Here!"
As soon as No'tak's attention turned to Jake Tsu'tey hurried forward and punched the Na'vi's face, using the surprise and freeing the child from the hard grasp. Before he could jump away from the threat strong arms clamped around him from behind and Tsu'tey felt himself lifted back against the hard chest of the only Omaticaya he had ever really hated.
"Now you're mine, Tsu'tey!" A hard squeeze cut of Tsu'tey's airways and darkness greeted him while Jake scream echoed in his mind.
"TSU'TEY!"
"That damn skxawnq (moron)!" Jake raged, feeling himself run faster than ever before. He had left the other warriors behind to ready their Pa'li while he made his way over to the place he had last seen the Great Leonopteryx, or Toruk as the Na'vi called him. He needed his help to get his mate back from the insane Na'vi.
While running Jake could still see his mate lying limp in the arms of the male that hurt his mate. When they had finally overcome their surprise No'tak had smirked at him before giving a battle cry. Out of nowhere other Na'vi had appeared, engaging the warrior of the Omaticaya in battle.
Only Jake had stood there, rage holding him motionless while No'tak continued to smirk at him, holding his eyes as he lowered his head and licked Tsu'tey's mouth before claiming the soft mouth roughly.
Jake seethed at the memory. He hadn't been able to help his mate as he had been engaged in battle by another Na'vi, quickly disposing him. But as he turned to the place his mate had been he saw his gone.
Giving an enraged battle cry Jake cut through the fighting Na'vi, slaughtering the intruders left and right before running the way he felt his mate vanishing.
Finally seeing the cliff and feeling the Toruk calling to him Jake didn't hesitate and jumped over, ignoring the cries of Kel'ris and the others when they saw him going over.
Not even for a second did Jake think about falling to his death. Eywa had gotten them together; Eywa wanted the change that began with him and Tsu'tey; Eywa had protected them.
Sure enough Jake felt himself land on the back of the Toruk, and after quickly connecting them with the Tsahaylu, Toruk Makto flew back up the cliff where the other Omaticaya were still waiting.
Seeing the great Toruk fly towards them they started to scatter before seeing Jake on its back.
"Let's go get my mate back!" Jake growled.
He was greeted with many battle cries as they hurried to where Jake's half of the bond was leading them.
tbc
AN: First I want to thank all of you for the really nice reviews! They are what keeps me writing sometimes.
And second I've got a request to you all: My beta, Tedra, is going on holiday mid-may…would someone be interested in beta reading the next few chapters (when I finally finish them)?
