Note from Author: I could kiss my brother full on the mouth right now if the idea wasn't really gross. I love having a technologically minded sibling who can fix my computer! Yeah awesome brothers! Okay yes I'm a tad loopy. Please forgive me. I'm just really happy! Happy Happy Happy!

Disclaimer: Repeat previous disclaimers. I don't own this universe. I don't make money off it. I'm just borrowing it. I mean can you blame me?

Chapter 11 Meetings and Games

Rayne woke up with a headache that felt like someone was trying to saw apart her skull with twig. Not a pleasant feeling she had to admit. Her brain felt fuzzy along with it. She fought to open her eyes. She saw darkness beyond the roots of the tree and wondered what woke her up. It wasn't near dawn. Not even close.

The creaking of a distant hammock echoed in her ears as she searched for the source of her wake up call. A male she didn't recognize vaulted from his bed and hit the floor with a dull thud. He was darker than most Na'vi. But that was all she could make out of his features in the low light of the glowworm filled sacks. But he didn't walk like an Omaticaya who would be at home in this tree and would walk out boldly even at this early hour. He crept on the pads of his feet, careful not to make a sound.

Curious. Rayne mused watching him exit Hometree. In the light of the moon, his stripes glowed almost white. If it wasn't for those markings she would have sworn it was Tsu'tey from the back and been tempted to finish what she had started earlier at the pools. But as it was her interest had been piqued. She carefully pulled away from Hataak and the clinging Se'la, trying not to wake them. Hataak never slept deeply though, it was something he picked up while when he tried to protect his sister from stabbing needles, and he hadn't seen the need to get rid of the habit.

Rayne pressed a single finger to her lips and motioned that he should go back to sleep. Hataak nodded and pulled his sister closer so she wouldn't wake up in the nightmares that seemed to plague her when she slept alone. Se'la pulled her arms around Hataak's neck while her dreams danced in her head. Hataak smiled sleepily and fell asleep before another second passed. Rayne shook her head in amazement and pulled herself to the branches above and took the quieter, all be it longer way around to where the male exited.

The lattice like outer roots of the new Hometree provided a perfect perch to watch him. Or would have if one of her holds didn't snap under her weight. "You may as well come out." The male laughed good naturedly. "Well come on." He said after the moment she hid hoping that maybe he would forget she was there. "I know you're there." He turned in her direction and stared right in her eyes. "You going to make me come back and get you?"

That was the same voice Grace had used when she didn't finish the "home work" that she was given. Or gorged herself on utu mauti. Rayne dropped from the roots and landed on the soft dirt. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"Just like your mother." He chuckled softly. "You don't waste any time."

Rayne's face dropped. She knew that Jake, Mo'at and the rest of the Omaticaya knew Grace but this male was not one of them. So how? "You couldn't have known my mother." She turned to the fire, staring into it's orange depths, hoping maybe answers would be contained within the flames.

"I know her quite well."His voice was filled with pain as he stared at her. "I love her with everything I am."The words were said so softly she barely caught them. But she did, barely, as they drifted away on a predawn breeze. "She was my mate."

Rayne spun back to him. Those four words sending her world spinning on it's axis. "You are Rai'uk?" Her voice was blank and her face showed no emotion as she waited for his answer. He nodded slowly, not knowing how she would take it. And he watched as emotions warred each other on her features. Joy, anger, betrayal, a calming peace, and fury all made their appearances on the tapestry of her countenance. But he didn't expect the solid punch that almost landed on his jaw.

He caught the blow before it landed and pushed it away as if it was a harmless insect. And had the distinct feeling that she didn't even try with that swing. It didn't even sting in his palm, and that only confirmed it. She swung as a reflex but not to hurt him. "Next time you swing at me make sure you mean it. Otherwise it's just an insult."

"Fifteen years!" She yelled honestly not caring who heard them at this ungodly hour. "Why didn't you come back!" This time when she swung it not only had force behind it but it was almost too fast for him to see and catch it in time.

Yes. He decided blocking her volley, she was his daughter in more ways than one. "I couldn't!" The hit first ask questions later was something he was well familiar with. He ducked quickly as she rushed him and flipped her onto her back. "Will you let me explain?"

"Why should I?" Rayne asked, pulling him into the roll and catching the hilt of her knife. "Give me one reason to listen."

Rai'uk stopped moving as the tip of her blade brushed lightly over the hollow at the base of his throat. He swallowed, testing the pressure she exerted and relaxed slightly when it became obvious she had not intention of actually hurting him. "Grace would want you to listen." He pushed up on his elbows. "And I need you to."

Rayne snarled pushing away off him and sitting a few feet away cross legged in the dirt. "Then talk."

How could he explain why he left when the reasons he had based that decision, though true, felt weak and pitiful. "I left to protect her." He sighed, twisting blades of grass in his fingers. "I'm sure you know how vicious humans can be. If I had stayed,"his voice almost broke under the strain of his grief, " do you have any idea what people like Quaritch would have done to her?"

Rayne studied him carefully as he spoke, seeing the control with which he held back the flood tides of sadness and ire slowly crumble with each word no matter how hard he tried to hold the pieces together. And felt the chains that bound the whirl wind of her own feelings begin to give way. "Yes." She replied simply. "How long were you with her?"

"One moon cycle." He said with a tiny smile. "One month." They had fit a lifetime within that month. And even though fifteen years had past since he looked into Grace's brown eyes, he still remembered each change in her features. He remembered that her hair always smelled of lightning strikes in a rain filled sky. Even the sounds she made in her sleep when he skimmed her skin with his fingertips, protesting waking up.

She nearly killed her human body that month, barely ever going back to it. And then only going back when she needed to feed it. She always came back within hours of leaving, knowing he stood guard till she came back. The lies she told in her reports during that month would make her dear dead granny roll over in her grave all the way back on earth. If she actually had a grave to roll over in that is.

"Did you know about me?" She swallowed. This shouldn't matter, but it did. "That she was pregnant with me I mean." She could understand his reasons for leaving and probably would have done the same. But if he just left knowing that she had been conceived. . . She didn't know how she would react.

Rai'uk hung his head and fought back the tears he knew were coming. "I should have." He said brokenly. "I should have known. And because I didn't I missed out on fifteen years of watching you grow. I thought I was doing the right thing. Leaving to keep her safe. But I didn't know about you. I don't know if leaving was right anymore." He gave up the fight as sobs wracked his frame. "Maybe if I stayed she would still be alive." She moved to his side and wrapped her arms around him. Rai'uk took the silent comfort she offered and slowly it soothed the raging tides within him until they became as smooth as glass and as calm as the morning sun. "Did she hate me for leaving?"

Rayne shook her head. "No." She took a deep breath. "She never hated you. She understood. And more than anything else she missed you."

Rai'uk clung to his daughter, unwilling to loose the little piece of Grace that she represented. "Can you forgive me?" He asked. His voice was still raw and raspy but she felt strength returning to his limbs.

Rayne tilted his face up to look straight into his eyes so there could be no question as to what she said next. "I did." He looked so hopeful. "I did forgive you. I don't have a reason not to. But you have no say in my life." She felt like a monster for saying that. "If I ask your opinion, fine but other wise."

Rai'uk nodded in understanding. He hadn't expected an easy relationship with her, but he hadn't expected her to be this forgiving either. Either way he would take what he could get. "What are you doing up any way?"

"Couldn't sleep." She said simply. "Nerves I guess. I'm supposed to take a mate today." She paused and added an after thought. "After being introduced to the clan." Rai'uk winced at the thought of the Tipani. They were interrupting his daughter's mating. Not good. Rayne noticed the wince. "Why did you wince. What's going on?"

Rai'uk took a deep breath and began to tell her what he had gathered about the Tipani demand from the rumors that were flying last night. And he saw the calculating fury that etched its way onto her features. He had the distinct feeling that heads were going to roll and he was very relieved that his didn't seem to be among them. But as he came to the conclusion of his explanation a wicked smile crept over her mouth. He knew that smile. It was his I have a plan smile. Or what Kyuna called his I have a plan, you cross me and I'd hate to be you smile.

Oh yes. She was his daughter.

~~~ Dawn ~~~

They had stayed up talking till dawn. Laughing over stories of each others past. As the sun peeked it's sleepy head over the treetops they were well on their way to at least an amicable relationship. Seconds passed as they watched the sun. And moments later the ones in charge of cooking came out and stirred the sleeping cook fires to raging wakefulness. This was where Jake and Neytiri found them. Tsu'tey followed at a distance, worrying about the Tipani until he saw Rayne and who she was sitting with.

He loped toward her and sat behind her pulling her into his arms, wrapping them around her shoulders as he pulled her to lean back against his chest. He twisted one of her many small braids around his fingers as Jake helped Neytiri sit on the logs used by the cooks as seats during the long days. An animal trilled in the trees and Rai'uk answered it with a similar call and a grin. "Kyuna says begin without her. She's keeping an eye on the Tipani."

Jake cocked an eyebrow but let his question go a moment later. Fight along side someone long enough and you end up having another language that you work with, a short hand if you will. Obviously the calls were part of theirs. He turned to Rayne and saw her calm smile and easy demeanor as she snuggled back against Tsu'tey. Her father took her hand and winked slyly. "I see you two have already met."

"This morning." She nodded kissing Tsu'tey's jaw quickly and settling in to listen. "What is this I hear about the Tipani?"

Jake blanched. She already knew. "They demand half of our unmated female population. Which I'm not understanding. How can they make this demand? Why even discuss it?"

Neytiri took his hand in her own. "You said they used the word equalizing. According to the laws of Eywa if a clan has an abundance while another is lacking, the first must extend a helping hand and give to the latter. It is normally food or provisions of some kind given. But not limited to it."

Jake shook his head still not seeing what right they had to demand people. "It's about saving lives. The brutal truth is that because Hometree was destroyed and the Omaticaya are only now rebuilding and taking in food stores, we won't have enough food to feed everyone over the rainy season." Tsu'tey said, not liking that he seemed to be arguing in favor of the Tipani. "They have more than enough for their own clan and more."

"Then why don't they give us the provisions and that be the end of it?" Jake snapped.

"Because you have something they need and it would solve both problems." Rai'uk spoke softly. "You give them what they ask and the strain on your provisions is lessened if not solved and they can rebuild their own clan."

Rayne was surprisingly quiet throughout the argument. Suddenly she felt Jake's gaze fall on her. She turned slightly to him. Jake was loosing the argument and he didn't like it. Mentally he knew the females who left would be treated kindly, but he hated feeling like a slave trader. "No comments?" If there was anyone who would be on his side it would be her.

Rayne smiled knowingly up at him before turning to Rai'uk. "Tell us the mating laws. Kawea's law to be precise."

Jake turned to Neytiri for an explanation only to see her look of confusion. They both turned back to Rai'uk as a look of understanding snuck over his face. "The challenge law. It is said that if a male wishes to take a female and she believes him to be an unfit mate, one not capable of providing for the family they would make or one who would be abusive, or even is she doesn't want to mate him, she can challenge his right to mate her before the clan."

"How interesting." Rayne murmured. "I think I should get a game of net ball going."

"What!" Jake growled. "How can you even think of a game? We have to find a way out of this!"

Neytiri patted his hand calmly. She thought she might have an idea of where they were going with this line of reasoning. "Rai'uk could a female challenge an entire tribes right to mate with her own?" Rai'uk smiled his I have a plan grin, nodding in reply. "Then I think a net ball game would be a perfect time to incite a reason for a challenge. If the female looses. . ." Rayne muttered that she had no intention of smiled indulgently. "We won't be any worse off than we are now. And if she wins, if females leave with the Tipani it will be their choice."

~~~ After Breakfast ~~~

Se'la's eyes went wide as Rayne tossed a stick to her and she quickly noticed it had a net on one end. She had wanted to play for weeks but Rayne always said to wait. Even Hataak was allowed to play. "You coming?" Rayne yelled over her shoulder as she walked back outside tossing another stick to Jarris who had been coming to collect Se'la for archery.

Se'la yipped happily and ran out after Rayne pulling Jarris behind her, nearly tripping over herself in her haste. Rayne motioned Jarris to the opposing team as she pulled Se'la next to her. "If you get hurt too badly. . . Get out of the crush." Rayne began.

"I won't leave." Se'la said stubbornly.

As teams were formed one of the Omaticaya males snarled at Jarris. "You don't belong here Tipani!" A random male yelled only to be cuffed of the back of his head by Maluk who captained the other team. "Silence! He belongs where he earns a place. Now let's play!"

Three from each team walked to the center of the field. Rayne and Maluk as the captains stayed back but Maluk chose Jarris to go to the center. Hataak was chosen from Rayne's team along with two others. Two of the six would jump for the ball and pass it to one of the two teammates with them to start off the game. Tsu'tey had been roped into tossing the ball this game. And he had learned on previous games to toss and run out of the field. But he wasn't missing this game. Not as the Tipani began to get curious about the screechs and yells.

Hataak caught the ball and passed it straight to his team. No sooner was it thrown than players surged forward attempting to send the ball whizzing to their goal. Back and forth the ball made it's way. No game plan except to take your licks and keep playing. The only rules were that no lethal blows or blows to the head allowed and the first team to fifty won the game. But inevitably people got knocked on their head.

Rayne pull her all in this game, more vicious than normal, she was determined to be the only one the Tipani watched. She was in the middle of every crush, taking blows right and left until her arms ached and blood dripped from her skin. Her elbows were sore and raw from pushing people aside. Wooden sticks gouged into everyone's bodies, the blood mixing with the dust that was kicked up until everyone was coated in brown mud. Sweat swept through the dirt leaving trails in the detritus as it dripped to the ground.

Teeth, opened in wide mouth grins soon became grit covered. Lines formed around laughing eyes. At least until the owner of the laughing eyes received a elbow to the nose. Then they let loose a snarl and pushed further into the fray.

Jarris played well but he took more than his fair share of blows, preventing Se'la from taking one. Finally she had seen enough and dropped her stick. Rayne yelled to stop the game thinking that Se'la had become seriously injured. But Se'la was about to scream and not with pain. "Stop protecting me!" She yelled angrily. "I can take a few hits! If I thought I couldn't I wouldn't be playing!"

"I can't help it if I don't want to see you hurt!" Jarris yelled back. "You're a girl! Is it such a bad thing thing that I want to protect you?"

Se'la advanced with murder in her eyes. The fury not caused by the fact that he wanted to protect her. If anything that made her soften a little more in his favor. But it was the fact that he told everyone that she being a girl was incapable of taking a blow. Later she would realize that he never once said that but the anger she felt wasn't letting her think correctly. She balled up her fists, nails biting into her palms and launched herself at him.

Blows landed for less than ten second, with Jarris doing nothing but blocking the blows. And the oddest thought passed through his mind. When she finally worked through everything that was going on in her head she would be a force to be reckoned with. And he couldn't wait to see it.

Rayne was the first to the smaller attacking female. She hauled her bodily off Jarris and several feet away knowing that the attention of the Tipani clan had shifted away from her. Tsu'tey saw the undertow of panic in her face and called to Se'la, beckoning her to come off the field. But the half of the visiting Tipani were between himself and her. He tried to move through the crowd without showing his concern, but wasn't quick enough to head off what next happened.

Jarris watched in slow motion as his older brother caught Se'la around the waist and hauled her off her feet. Holding her two feet off the ground, feet dangling in the air. "You'll make a nice little mate for Jarris. Maybe he'll fix that nasty tempter of yours in time." He crooned as Jarris struggled to his feet. Se'la squeaked, her eyes now wide in fear. "Might even be fun to watch him tame you."

Jarris felt a calm hand come down on his shoulder and turned to see Rayne, blood and death in her eyes. She had planed for this. But it was her that was threatened and held in the plan. Not her daughter. "Wait." She said under her breath. She turned to the male holding Se'la and stepped forward, growling low in her chest. "Drop her." She ordered, pulling his attention from the wriggling girl in his arms. "I said drop her."

"And if I don't?" Jarris always knew his brother did not inherit the brains in the family but that proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Poor Lurak. He really had no idea what he just got himself into.

~~~Author Notes~~~

Yes this chapter is slightly shorter than my normal. Please don't send flames for that. I couldn't wait to get to the really good stuff so I wanted to get this out of the way. Here we see that the real jerk isn't Jarris' dad. He's doing the right thing the wrong way. Had he asked instead of told things would have done a lot smoother. As it is the real jerk is this brother who is about to get set in his place rather firmly.

On another note. Theres only a couple chapters left in this story. I may come back to Se'la, Hataak, Jarris, Neytiri and Jake's child and any kids that Tsu'tey and Rayne have later but I have some ideas for other universes that are pounding at my skull wanting out. So maybe, maybe not come back. It depends on if my dear readers want to read any more of my ramblings when I'm done. (HINT! REVIEW PLEASE!) But the next chapter is going to be the "Challenge." Uh oh! And the next if I can get it to read properly will be fluffy. We'll see now won't we. (Wink ;)

Mahalo nui loa (Thank you very much) for reading and reviewing.

Jael Rainer