As always i do not own pandora, all right go to James Cameron.
Thanks for all the reviews, it helps to be motivated and therefore to produce up to the par chapter. Onwards merry friends!
Chapter Eight
Jake walked with Grace into a large clearing where a river ran through the sparse shrubs. A herd of six-legged horse like creatures were grazing, using thick whiskers to pull flume shaped plants to their mouths. Long tongues delved inside the flowers and as they retracted he could see they were covered with gooey liquid.
"Direhorse." Jake said watching in awe as Grace called one over. Grace rested her head against the direhorse's muzzle, her hand rubbing it lovingly beneath its chin.
"This is pa'li. Her name is Enit." Grace said giving the pa'li one last one stroke. Jake grinned at her stern look then began to repeat the Na'vi name for direhorse. Grace shook her head at his child-like behaviour.
"You make tsaheylu with pa'li." She explained picking the antennae he had seen earlier. Jake gave her a miffed look approaching the pa'li with his queue in his hand.
"Sa-hay-loo?" The hair on the queue fell back to reveal swirling pink nerve endings.
"Tsaheylu is bond made with pa'li. Mount her." Grace said stepping back as Jake unceremoniously mounted the sloped back of the pa'li. Enit gave an aggravated huff and began to move her feet in irritation. Grace whispered soothingly in the pa'li's ear, her soft voice washing over Jake making him even more nervous than before. When he had awoken that morning, it was to see Grace hovering by his hammock a bored look on her face. She had been irritated by his late rising insisting that they were wasting time. He had barely finished breakfast before she was dragging him deep into the forest.
"You will learn to ride." She had said pushing him through the trees where they had arrived at their current location.
Jake finally righted himself on the pa'li the warm body easing some of the tension in his body.
"Feel her Jhake. Feel her breathing, her strong heart." Grace said. He closed his eyes in concentration his legs rising and falling in time with Enit's breathing.
"Now make tsaheylu." Jake cleared his throat then took his queue and Enit's. With a breath, he placed them together. Tsaheylu was like gulp of fresh air after a lifetime of drowning. His eyes dilated as every sensation Enit felt was magnified into his own mind and body. Grace placed her hand on Jake's thigh trying to calm him as the pa'li reacted to his discomfort.
"It is okay Jhake. When with pa'li you think of where you want her to go. For now say where you want to her go." Grace said walking further away.
"Forward." Jake said, grabbing onto Enit's mane as she bolted forward.
Jake attempted to wrap his arms around her neck but lost leverage as she rose onto her hind legs. Endless blue sky was all he saw as he was thrown from the pa'li and into a deep puddle of mud. Every bone ached as he tried to get out of the murky water. Grunting he slipped face first into the mud his hands shaking as the thick liquid made it impossible to find leverage.
Grace ran towards Jake as he flew into the puddle. She hoped that he wasn't too annoyed by the pa'li's behaviour. As she approached him she noticed that his shoulders were shaking. Grace bit her fist as lighter bubbled from her throat. Jake struggled trying to get out and feeling sorry for him she approached him her hand offered in assistance. Jake looked up at her through the thick layer of mud, his eyes blazing with embarrassment.
"Oh Jhake." She giggled, squirming when he took her hand. She let go of it quickly wiping the mud onto her thigh.
"It isn't funny." He groaned, attempting to rub the mud from his skin. Grace nodded growing quite for only a moment before laughing again. Jake gave a low growl before picking her up over his shoulder. The sudden movement made Grace feel instantly nauseous as she lost her equilibrium.
"Jhake put me down." She shouted punching his back as he walked back towards the puddle. She knew what was coming but she wasn't prepared for when he threw her in. The mud was cold and runny, crawling all over her body. Grace spluttered with indignation swatting at Jake's hand.
"That was not funny Jhake." She said coolly. Her whole body shook as a breeze blew over her. This only caused Jake to laugh harder. His grin was at a crooked angle which she found endearing and with slow hesitancy she approached him.
"What are you up to?" he asked noticing her mischievous smile. Grace shook her head innocently then threw a handful of mud at his face. His expression was priceless as the mud slid down his face and landed at his feet. Grace arched her brow as he stood silently an angry scowl on his face. Her own amusement died down as the atmosphere grew tense.
"Jhake?" she asked questioningly hoping that she hadn't put a dent in his male ego. To'itan would have reacted the same way but she thought that Jake was different. Grace turned from him as he continued to frown. She had only taken a few steps when she heard running feet behind her.
"Jhake!" she screeched feeling his arms wrap around her waist and lifting her into the air. She shut her eyes as he ran to the river her breath hitching as she felt him jump into the water. She could feel his hard chest behind her moving rapidly as he caught his breath and adjusted to the cold temperature of the river. Grace pulled out of his arms her feet barely touching the riverbed of loose pebbles and rock.
"I thought you were mad at me." Grace said flinching as she heard the whine in her voice. Jake laughed under his breath and swam towards her. His strokes were deliberate as he came towards her. Grace backed away slowly, suspicious of his behaviour.
"Why would I be mad? I love seeing you laugh." They both stood stock still at his words. Grace knew he had remembered what she had told him last night. It had been a mistake on her part. She never should have told him that she liked him. He would never take their training seriously if he held on to what she had said.
"Jhake concentrate on becoming Omatikaya before professing to me." She said, the playfulness of the moment gone. "Who knows, once you become Omatikaya another woman will appeal to you." Hating the thought that Jake may be attracted to someone else, Grace swam to the shore.
"I don't want anyone else." She heard him whisper.
...
Jake was with Anna as she sat by a loom. Her fingers effortlessly dancing upon the threads, weaving an intricate design. Jake was still shocked that the Anna Quaritch he had known was now a mother of two and a Na'vi. She hadn't told him how it had been done and he doubted she ever would. But the permanent transference wasn't what he wanted to know, it was how she had adjusted to Na'vi life. More importantly how she had mated with a Na'vi.
"You are awfully quite Jake. Still trying to get to grips with being on Pandora?" she asked, noticing how long they had both been sitting in the light cast of from a nearby pit. Jake smiled softly this was the opportune time to ask her what he wanted to know.
"I am just stunned." He said. Anna gave a low chuckle abandoning her work for a while. She turned to face Jake giving him her full attention.
"I too am stunned. To think only a handful of people survived the crash. It is amazing." Jake blushed as Anna reiterated his lie. The Na'vi had initially been angry to learn there were more sky people. Jake had explained that only he and a few others had made it through the crash. The deception lay heavy in his gut and he could barely breathe.
"I just don't understand how you are married to a Na'vi. I always thought you and Norm would get together." Jake said. Anna's eyes widened in surprise but she just blushed and shrugged.
"It isn't that hard to understand. The Na'vi are beautiful people. Loyal and protective. It was love at first sight." Anna laughed lowering her head in embarrassment as though she had said too much.
"I guess you are right." Jake whispered, his attention wavering as he caught sight of Grace walking by with a group of Na'vi.
"Isn't she supposed to be tutoring you?" Anna scowled, unfamiliar with Grace being lax with her duties. Jake smiled at the censure in Anna's voice. Excusing himself Jake jogged over to where the group began to climb Hometree.
"Grace." He called halting as he saw her shoulders tense. To'itan turned to access Jake a sneer on his lips.
"You should go back uniltìrantokx, you do not belong here." He said, a group of male Na'vi sniggering as To'itan approached Jake. Jake puffed his chest, not backing down as To'itan continued to approach him.
"Mawe To'itan." Grace called though she did nothing more to stop him. Jake scowled confused as to why Grace was ignoring the confrontation about to take place.
"That is not what the olo'eyktan said." Jake smirked, enjoying the anger building in To'itan's eyes. If Grace wanted to see two men go all out over her, then he wasn't about to let her down. She had grown so detached from him since returning from the field and the rejection stung. It was obvious that she was using him to make To'itan jealous. All that talk about love and being together had been a tactic to get the man she really wanted. Jake's ire grew as he realised that Grace was just like the women he knew back on Earth. Conniving and scheming to get what they wanted.
"I will not say it again, go home Jakesully." To'itan hissed his fingers brushing against the handle of his dagger. Jake smiled and raised his fists.
To'itan was fast, swinging at Jake's face. Jake ducked just in time. Rolling away from To'itan Jake jumped to his feet. In that brief moment To'itan landed a blow to his jaw. Jake staggered back, grabbing hold of To'itan's wrist as he aimed another blow. Jake kneed To'itan in the abdomen backhanding him swiftly. To'itan fell to his knees clutching his bleeding nose, his eyes glowing with rage.
"Nitam!" Grace cried rushing to To'itan's side. She knocked his hands from his face and wiped the blood from his nose. Jake turned away from the sight hating that he felt so strongly for her.
"Skxawng."
Jake growled thinking that her words were aimed at him. To his surprise he saw To'itan rubbing his jaw where Grace's had punched him. Tiredly Grace got to her feet and walked towards Jake.
"Jhake is a lost brother, it is our duty to show him the right path." She said. Jake couldn't help but smile as she stood up for him. To'itan hissed as his friends tried to help him up. The angry Na'vi stormed off walking up the spiral that led to the treetop. The other Na'vi followed giving them looks of disgust. The moment they were out of sight Grace's shoulders lowered, her ears pressed against her head and pointed low.
"Do not disappoint me Jhake." He heard her murmur. Jake brushed his knuckles against her wrist briefly.
"Why did you back me when you didn't do anything before?" he asked instantly wishing he could retract his words. Instead of being angry like he thought Grace smiled.
"If I were in a fight I would not want to be stopped until my point was made." She said innocently. Jake was intrigued by her innocent thinking. While he had been calling her all sorts of names her thoughts had been on what he would think of her. Chuckling he nudged her with his shoulder. His smiled becoming wider as she smacked him on the back of his head.
"You are such a loser." She said. Jake broke into peals of laughter over her use of a slang term. Huffing she turned from him and began to climb Hometree. Jake caught up with her, cursing as she briskly made her way to the top. His feet hadn't completely healed and he found old wounds opening as he manoeuvred over the knobbly branches.
"You are too slow Jhake." Grace called over her shoulder.
Her braids swept along her back and her smile glowed in the night. Startled by the arousing picture of her rump in the air and so close to his face Jhake lost his grip and fell a few feet down the trunk. He could hear her tinkling laughter as she continued towards the top of Hometree.
"Damn Jake you've got it bad." He whispered to himself, feeling his heart pounding against his chest.
...
Jake grasped his knees catching his breath as he finally made it to the where the other Na'vi were grouped. The hunters were sitting in a loose circle talking animatedly and laughing. To'itan growled as he saw him to which Jake smiled, his hand finding the end of Grace's tail in a playful pull.
"Jhake." She warned making space beside her as she sat down. To his left a young Na'vi female batted her lashes at him as she returned his smile. To his suprise she offered her hand.
"I am Jayla." She purred as he shook her hand. The other Na'vi snickered nudging each other over the flirtatious Na'vi's antics.
"I'm Jake." He said.
"I know who you are." She replied her tail running against his. Jake gulped looking to Grace for help but she was in deep conversation with another Na'vi.
"Pänutìng ngeya txe'lan." She whispered easing closer to him. Jake had no idea what she was saying so he didn't reply. Jayla did not seem content with his silence and continued to stroke her tail against him. Jake found her caress strangely arousing and he didn't like it.
"Leave off." He said harshly moving closer to Grace and further from the minx's actions.
"Jhake are you alright?" Grace asked feeling him brush against her shoulder. Not wanting to bother her with what could well be a Na'vi custom he just nodded his head.
Grace noticed Jake bumping against her for the third time and knew that there was something he wasn't telling her.
"A moment brother." She said to Li'uy, giving Jake her full attention. His eyes were firmly rooted to the ground, his posture tense. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Jayla's tail brushing against Jake's. Grace scowled as Jayla whispered something in Jake's ear. It was in Na'vi but she couldn't hear what was being said. Jake inched away from the woman who in turn flicked her tongue against Jake's ear.
"What are you doing?" Grace asked keeping her voice low so that the other Na'vi would not notice their exchange. Jayla smirked and leant over Jake's lap provocatively.
"Do you think you are the only one interested in the dreamwalker? Many have made their feelings for him clear." Grace reeled over Jayla's words. She turned to the circle which consisted of males and females. Grace noticed that a few of the women were eyeing Jake, giggling when he looked at them. His attention was now riveted to the back of Jayla's head as she continued to lean over him.
"Have respect for yourself sister. You are particularly sitting on him." Grace hissed. To her annoyance Jayla chuckled then placed her hands on Jake's thigh. Grace clenched her jaw controlling her anger. If she made any territorial act over Jake then the Na'vi would see it as her claiming him. Since he was not Omatikaya it would only infuriate them.
"You are jealous, great queen of stone." Jayla sneered, her fingers flexing against Jake.
"Umm ladies?" Jake said breaking the building tension.
Jayla gave him a coy smile before pulling away. Grace didn't like the promise in Jayla's eyes. Her sudden interest in Jake made Grace realise that she truly wanted him for herself. He was the only one to make her truly laugh. Up until now, she had been the queen of stone that Jayla had described. Her mother often told her that she had inherited her father's seriousness. Yet Jake brought out the joy in her. With him she could be free with herself, no longer worried about her place amongst the Omatikaya. Grace settled back into her position feeling To'itan's disapproving glare. She ignored him. Many things had changed including her feelings for him. Grace could no longer be satisfied with To'itan when she knew Jake was the one she loved.
...
Anna moaned as she felt Ngay'swizav move beneath her. Her eyes blinked open as his restlessness woke her. Sometimes it still surprised her that when she went to sleep she would awaken as a Na'vi. Though twenty years had passed she still felt fear grip her when she fell asleep, afraid that when she opened her eyes she would have returned to her human body.
"Sleep." Ngay'swizav whispered into her temple. As much as the thought appealed to her, Anna knew her mate was uneasy. Resting her eyes upon their sleeping son Anna brushed her fingers over his hair and kissed him upon his head. Ngay'swizav climbed out of the hammock and descended down Kelutral. Anna hurried after him slipping her hand in his as they reached the bottom. The columns gave her comfort as Ngay'swizav walked further from their home and into the forest. As always they entered their special place. A small pond surrounded by a grove of trees. The bioluminescent flora created natural lighting, some of which danced beneath the water.
"What is wrong?" Anna finally asked, the silence becoming too much for her. Ngay'swizav chuckled over her impatience and pulled her into the water with him taking off pieces of her clothing. Once the cool water covered them Ngay'swizav drew her into his embrace, her back resting against his chest. Anna sighed as he began to nuzzle her neck his lips keeping the cold at bay.
"Why would something be wrong?" he asked, his hand trailing over her stomach and down to the apex between her thighs. Anna moaned as his fingers ran along the slit lining her sex his ministrations causing heat to flush along her skin.
"I know you." She whispered, almost cursing when Ngay'swizav pulled his hand away. Anna turned in his arms her eyes searching his. Ngay'swizav rested his forehead against hers, his nose rubbing against hers.
"I fear for Grace." He finally said. Anna was surprised by Ngay'swizav's quite admission. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Ngay'swizav was a father as well as olo'eyktan. Her lack of faith in his ability to juggle both roles shamed her and she could tell he had read the surprise in her eyes. Ngay'swizav kissed her softly, his erection poking her stomach. Anna laughed and cupped him in her hands.
"Why?" she asked her pumping increasing. Ngay'swizav let out a harsh breath trying to remember what it was they had been talking about.
"She and Jake remind me of us when we were younger." He groaned as he released himself into the water. Anna nodded in agreement still rubbing him along his shaft.
"That is what bothers you? What harm could there be?" she asked nipping his throat playfully. Ngay'swizav's tail cut through the water and rubbed against her thigh in a loving stroke.
"I mated with you before you were one of The People. We were lucky that no one found out. If they are mated before Jake becomes Omatikaya…" Ngay'swizav didn't continue as Anna's eyes widened with realisation. Though he regretted her dampened ardour, this situation was more important.
"Grace would not risk it. She has your strength." Anna said.
"Yet I easily gave in to temptation." Ngay'swizav said with a grin. Anna laughed, his playful tone easing the tension somewhat. She returned to his arms, squeaking as he lifted her.
"We will cross that bridge when we come to it." Anna sighed as her mate made love to her.
Navi translation
Vrrtep-Demon
Mawe- Calm
Skxawng- Moron
Nitam- Enough
Tsaheylu- Neural bond
uniltìrantokx –dreamwalkers
Pänutìng ngeya txe'lan- Promise me your heart
So please, please tell me what you think and stay tuned for chapter nine.
xxxx
