DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Avatar"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Atraiu vs. Lock'tu score- Atraiu:23, Lock'tu: 18, Neutral: 3. Please review, guys, I really appreciate it.

CHAPTER 14

The ceremony commenced just as the horizon turned a dark shade of red and orange. The entire 'olo had gathered in the center of Hometree, surrounding the young couple, and Mo'at, who stood in the very center. Rala had been made a beautiful chest covering made from the leaves of an eyaye plant that glowed a light blue color when the sky was dark enough. Tintay wore a headpeice made out of the same material, and wore it proudly, with his head held high. They were a truly beautiful couple, and I almost envied their perfection.

My sisters and I stood with my father and mother on the inner ring of the circle of Na'vi that surrounded the couple and Mo'at. My sisters and I were required to *wear the stems of a tawtsngal in our hair because none of us were yet mated. I hated the entire idea of it. If I was looking for a mate, I would wear the stupid stems, like I was meant to. Wearing them for no purpose at all but to seem extra attractive to the opposite sex disgusted me to no end. Taka, of course, felt the same way, her warrior exterior shadowing any fragments of feminine weakness. Sayla, on the other hand, loved wearing the bright, sweet smelling stems in her hair, and did not even pretend to ignore the sudden attention she received when she did.

Lock'tu stood with the rest of the Vrrtep Tsamsiyus in the center ring of the circle, while Atraiu had found a comfortable spot next to me. I don't know why, but I felt slightly jittery without Lock'tu by my side. At every formal celebration that we had ever attended, we stood together. This would be the first time that I wouldn't have to stifle a giggle after being whispered a very inappropriate comment by Lock'tu. This little change alone was proof that we were growing up.

I looked up at my new partner, and studied his handsome face closely. He watched the ceremony with true interest and awe, never taking his eyes off of the couple. From time to time, a light smile would grace his face, and a sigh would escape his lips. It was strange to see how someone could find such beauty in something as simple as a Na 'aw Eo Eywa Si 'Olo. Where ever he had come from, they obviously didn't take as much pride in the permanent bonding of male and female as we did.

"On this night, we gather in blessing of these two Na'vi, who have found their bond within eachother." said Mo'at, her wise and ancient voice echoing out over the 'olo. At her request, Tintay and Rala handed their queues to Mo'at, who held them as high as she could above their heads.

"In this moment, we pray to Eywa to protect them."

"Eywa, protect them." the clan echoed.

"To guide them."

"Eywa guide them."

"And to bless them."

"Eywa bless them."

"For they are young, and are yet to know the way that they should go." Mo'at smiled down at the two lovers with eyes that shone kindness and compassion. "This is your choice, ayeveng. Are you certain that this is what you want?"

Tintay and Rala looked at eachother, smiles brighter than the sun on their youthful faces. They turned back to Mo'at, and nodded.

"Yes, Tsahik, it is." they said in unison. Mo'at smiled again.

"Than, in the name of Eywa, I proclaim you munxta." She drew their two queues together, forming tsahaylu between them. Their bodies jolted slightly from the sudden connection, but the smiles on their faces did not waver. "Now, you are 'aw, forever. The Omaticaya welcome you."

At this, the clan erupted into a wave of yells and exclamations of joy. We were all truly happy for them, and welcomed them into the clan as one, but we were really just excited about the fact that now, the party could start.

-888-

Music and song filled my ears, and dancing surrounded me at every turn. The t'riti so jahmka sounded out over the entire forest, the unsteady, random beat melding into the earth. The voices of the singers rose high into the sky, filling the air. One could even hear the ikran high off in the canopy, their shrill calls sounding off with the music of the 'olo.

My family, along with the newly united couple, and their families-along with Atraiu, Lock'tu, and a few others-sat around the mreki u'lito, passing sumin jiit'luy packed high with food around to everyone. There was great laughter as we listened to the many stories that were told around the warm fire.

"Now, who wants to hear the story of how Neytiri and I met?" asked my father after Tintay's mother had finished a story about a fishing excursion gone disarray. Everyone groaned, having heard the story of how my mother saved my father's life eighteen seasons ago one thousand times.

"No one wants to hear that story, sempu." I said, picking at my food with a small dagger.

"You've told it thousands of times, everyone has heard it!" added Taka, who had the story more than I had due to her two seasons on me.

"Well, not everyone's heard it! Atraiu, I'm sure you would love to hear a story of how Omaticaya women take great pride in saving their men." he said, taking my mother's hand. Atraiu looked up from his meal, and nodded his head.

"Yes, eyktan, I would." I leaned over, closer to Atraiu, looking him in the eye.

"No, you wouldn't." Atraiu laughed at my comment, even though he still insisted on hearing the story. I looked over to where I had seen Lock'tu sitting only a few minutes before, knowing how much he loved my father's stories, but I was surprised to find him gone. Strange. He had been vanishing a lot lately.

I was quickly drawn out of my thoughts when my father started his tale.

"Believe it or not, I was very arrogant and ignorant when I was younger. I was prideful, and thought that I could pass any test a man could pass. Pandora proved me wrong. I was a uniltiranyu then. I had just been chased off of the edge of a cliff by a palulukan, and was seperated from the rest of the group. I was scared out of my mind, but I still had my pride. I had lost my carb base unit, but I was still able to make a spear out of a branch. I wandered through the forest for hours, not knowing what I was looking for or why, but I knew that I needed to get to some kind of civilization. Night came quicker than I expected, and I wrapped the end of my spear in my jacket-which is like the tunics made out of fabric that the sea clans wear-and cacked it in this type of sap that was leaking from a tree, and made a torch. Of course, if I had just kept my eyes open, I would have realized that the forest provided it's own light, but I was too ignorant to notice. Before long, a pack of nantangs began to surround me, even though I'm sure they had been following me for hours. Everywhere I turned, I heard their laughing call, mocking me. They surrounded me at everyturn, but they wouldn't attack. I finally grew restless, and I challanged them. Well, that was stupid. There must have been fifty, no eighty of them..."

"Um, actually, yawne, there were only about twelve of them." interupted my mother, who knew that he increased the number of nantangs every time he told the story. We all giggled slightly, trying to hide our smirks. My father turned to my mother, slightly annoyed.

"Excuse me, but, who's telling this story?" he asked her. My mother rolled her eyes, and accepted a sip from the stone bowl that was filled with what Sky People would call alcohol.

"You, my love."

"Yes, so, please, let me continue." Sayla, Taka, and I looked at eachother, remembering how our parents would have this dissagreement everytime.

"Anyway, where was I?"

" 'There must have been fifty, no, eighty of them'." We all responded. Father smirked, but he didn't give any type of rebuttal.

"Yes, there must have been eighty of them. They came at me in waves, but I managed to fight most of them off. But, I was outnumbered either way. I expected this to be my last stand, the final charge. There was no way I was living through this. Just when I thought all hope was lost, until, I see this beautiful, graceful, fierce as hell Na'vi woman leap over my head, and take out a nantang with an arrow. She fought them all off, everyone, and soon all of the nantangs had run off. By the time she was finished, there was none left for me. I was already impressed by this mysterious woman, but then she did something that took me completley by surprise. She leaned down next to a nantang who was hit by an arrow, but was yet to die, and gave it a quick death. I could see her sorrow in her eyes, and knew that she found no pleasure in killing the creatures of the forest. I was enchanted, amazed, and taken back all at the same time.

"I tried to talk to her, even though it was more like me rambling, and actually followed her. Just when I thought that she didn't understand a word I was saying, she turned around and hit me across the face with her bow, knocking me to the ground. She then proceeded to accuse me of causing all of 'this', even though she was totally right. I looked up into her beautiful, deadly eyes, and saw all of her passion and strength in them." My father turned to looked at my mother, than took her hand, and brought it to his lips. "I was in love, and there was no turning back."

We all uttered a long, drawn out "awww" together. Even though this story had been recited to us thousands of times, it still broke our hearts. My mother smiled up at her mate of eighteen seasons, her eyes shining with her love for him.

"Oh, you are so full of it." she said with a smile. "And I love you." My father grinned, and pressed his forehead against hers, relishing in the feel of her skin on his. Finally, after somebody bothered to cough rather loudly, they were drawn out of their private moment.

"So, Atraiu, if I were you, I'd take this story as a warning. Omaticaya aysutee are quite a handful." said my father.

Atraiu looked at me, a charming smile on his handsome face, and a slight glimmer in his eye.

"I appreciate the advise, eyktan, but I think I can handle them." His eyes never left mine as he brought a piece of fruit up to his mouth, taking a bite out of it. The juices ran down the side of his face, and then the long curve of his neck. His green skin glowed brightly, illuminating the space around him. He was so strange to me, so foregin...yet so handsome. I suddenly felt very flushed, like a great rush of steam had just entered the space, and I was the only one that felt it. The dark look in Atraiu's eyes didn't help much either.

"Um, I think I need to be excused for a moment." I said, quickly standing up. Everyone drew their eyes to me, curious to know why I bothered to excuse myself so quickly. I didn't give them anytime to ask.

I made my way through the festivities; squeezing through dances, jumping over playing children, avoiding large groups of musicians. I knew exactly where I was going.

Soon, the noise of the celebration was behind me, and I was safe in the outskirts of Hometree. The night air washed over me, cooling my body, and calming my mind. The forest was a glow around me, and I felt at an odd type of peace.

I ran both of my hands through my hair, letting my fingers brush against my scalp. I let all of my walls down, relishing in the fact that I was truly alone. Well, or so I thought.

"Nice night, isn't it?"

I spun around, drawing a dagger from my side, ready to kill any threat.

"Whoa, whoa. Calm down, Kana, it's just me." Out of the shadows stepped Lock'tu, his hands held up in mock surrender. I let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding, and sheathed my drawn dagger.

"Fpi Eywa, Lock'tu. You scared me half to death." I said, placing my hands on my hips.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare." Lock'tu smiled at me, but there was something strange in his smile. Some kind of mystery that radiated from him in a manner that pulled me in. I had never felt this kind of vibe from him before.

"So, um, what are you doing out here?" I asked, wrapping my arms around myself. I was suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. Lock'tu took a few steps towards me, glancing up at the night sky.

"It was getting pretty active back there. I needed to clear my head. And it's such a beautiful night..." He shrugged his shoulders, a slight smile on his face. I looked up into the sky, and I realized that I had to agree with him. The stars filled the sky, and the planet polyphemus shone brightly. It was a truly enchanting night.

"You know, this is my spot, right?" I asked Lock'tu, trying my hardest to lighten the tense mood.

"Oh, you forget so easily. It was in fact me who discovered this spot, and you stole it from me." he said with a laugh.

"Well, you should've put up your flag, like I told you. Those were the rules."

"You just made that up!"

"Did not!"

"Oh, whatever, Kana."

We both laughed at our little exchange, since we had this type of argument everytime the subject was breached.

My eyes were still focused on the sky when I realized that Lock'tu's head was very close to mine. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye, curious to know exactly what he was doing. I was suprised to discover that he was actually smelling me. His nose was practicly in my hair. Usually, I would push him away, and tease him about being too clingy, but now, I just felt an odd chill run up my spine.

"You smell very nice." he said, his voice barely a whisper. I could feel his breath against my skin.

"It's the tawtsngal stems." I answered, may voice equally low. "Sa'nok makes us wear them during ceremonies and celebrations." Lock'tu buried his nose deeper into my braids, as if he was attempting to breath in the scent.

"I can see why." Finally, Lock'tu drew away from me, and his eyes were slightly glazed over. That look scared me to no end...and excited me.

"Um, I should probably be getting back to the celebration." I said quickly, trying to brush past him, but before I could, he grabbed my arm, holding me where I stood. Lock'tu looked down at me, and for once, I realized how tall he really was. His eyes bore into me, like he was searching my soul for an answer to a hidden question. I tried my hardest to match his glare, but I just found myself drawing my eyes away from his.

I suddenly felt his hand touch my neck, his thumb running down the crevice, feeling my pulse. His touch was soft, and easy, like he was afraid I would shatter. I slowly turned my head, and stared up into his deep golden eyes, and saw only a glimpse of that childhood friend that I had known all of my life. The rest was something new, dark, and enchanting.

"Fpi Eywa, Kana," he said, his voice like a breath of wind whispering through the trees. "You are so beautiful."

His head began a slow descent towards mine, his eyes staying locked with me. I tried to swallow, but I found my mouth uncomfortably dry. Right when his mouth was barely an inch from mine, I forced myself to speak.

"What are you doing, Lock'tu?" I asked, my voice similar to that of a small child. Lock'tu looked into my eyes, the hint of a laugh shining in them. He looked down, smiling like he had just been caught speaking falsely.

"Well, Kana," He looked back up at me, and the darkness had returned just as quickly as it had vanished. "I'm seducing you."

Before I could even let out a breath, his lips were on mine.

The kiss didn't last very long, for I forced myself away before it could. I stepped back about ten feet, my fingers on my now burning lips. For a long moment, all we did was stare. His chest was heaving, like he had just run a terribly long distance. My eyes were wide with shock, fear, and a little bit of excitement.

Before anything else could happen, I quickly left the scene, rushing past Lock'tu, my fingers still on my lips.

-888-

(third person POV)

What did I just do? Lock'tu asked himself as he stared at the spot where Kana just stood. His mind was suddenly clearer, his thoughts more organized. He had never intended to kiss Kana. He just wanted to talk to her, express himself to her, but never that. As soon as he caught that bewitching scent that was coming from her, all he wanted was to be close to her. It was like he wasn't even him anymore. And the way she looked at him, like he had struck her. He had hurt her, and now she was probably furious with him. But if that was the case, why did he feel so great?

-888-

(Kana's POV)

I walked like there was a fire at me heels. My body was gittery, and my heart was beating near one hundred miles and hour. I snatched my hand away from my lips when I realized that it was still there. I was so shocked and befuddled that I didn't know what to think, what to do. My mind told me that what just happened was wrong, and that I should banish it from my thoughts. But my heart was wearing that wicked little smirk that told me that it knew something that I didn't.

To my utmost relief, I looked up to see Mo'at walking along the edge of Hometree, humming to herself.

"Mo'at!" I whispered harshly, hoping she'd hear. She turned her head at hearing her name, and smiled when she saw me sprinnting towards her.

"Oh, Kana! Shouldn't you be at the celebration?"

"I was, but I excused myself to get some air. Mo'at, the strangest thing just happened." I said once I was close to her, my voice still a whisper.

"What do you mean? And why are you whispering?"

"Lock'tu just acted so strangely towards me." I said, ignoring Mo'at's last question. "I went to my usually spot outside of Hometree, where I could think clearly, and there he was! Everything seemed normal for a while, we were talking, joking around, and then he started smelling me."

"Smelling you?" asked Mo'at, her eyebrows creasing.

"Yeah! And then he went on about me being beautiful, and smelling good, and then when I tried to leave, he touched me. And I swear, Mo'at, his hands were burning against my skin. I asked him what he was doing, and he said that he was seducing me. Seducing. Omaticaya tuteans don't seduce!"

Mo'at laughed lightly, and patted my arm, as if she was comforting me.

"Oh Kana, I assure you that Omaticaya tuteans do seduce, and they are quite good at it. How do you think your father got your mother? How do you think your grandfather got me?"

"But he's never acted this way towards me before! It's these cursed stems, they make everyone insane!" I shouted as I pulled the villanous articles out of my hair. Mo'at smiled kindly, and turned to face me. She took one of my braids in my hair, the back of her hand brushing against my cheek.

"Maybe he has, and you just haven't noticed. You are growing up, Kana. Things that were once oblivious to you, are now shouting in your face. Lock'tu has always showed some kind of interest in you. Now he has the proper incentive to act on that interest."

"The proper incentive? What do you mean, Mo'at?" Mo'at laughed, and shook her head.

"Still so young. Still so very young." She touched me on the forehead lightly, and then turned, and walked away.

I watched her go, and meditated on her words. Was I just oblivious to Lock'tu, or was this truly the first time? And what did she mean by the"proper incentive"? And why was she alone so often? Lately Mo'at had been distant, and kept to herself. Always thinking, thinking, thinking. I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling very cold. I looked up into the skies, and sighed. The cosmos were moving, and Eywa was at work. But at what, I was yet to discover.

AN: I know that there has been a lot of Lock'tu/Kana time, but I assure all of you Team Atraiu people that the next chapter will revolve entirely around one critical moment that Kana and Atraiu share, so don't worry. In fact, I may have that chapter up in a few hours. It will be rather short. So, please review, and don't forget to vote!

Vrretp Tsamsiyus: Demon Warriors

ayeveng: children

munxta: mated

'aw: one

t'riti so jahmka: large drums that are built over holes in the trees that are played by performers on a "trapezelike swing"

mreki u'lito: fire pit used for food preperation

sumin jiit'luy: food trays made from animal shell, bone, leaves, wood, reeds, twigs, and twine

sempu: daddy

eyktan: leader

uniltiranyu: dreamwalker

nantangs: viperwolves

yawne: love

aysutee: women

eyktan: leader

sa'nok: mother

tuteans: males

* Ok, let me explain the whole tawtsngal stems thing. The stems of a tawtsngal are some type of aphrodisiac that are usually worn by young Na'vi who are seeking a mate. This information is drawn from the "James Cameron's Avatar Activist Survival Guide", along with the Na'vi terms, and some other information regarding Na'vi culture and the flora and fauna of Pandora. Certain ceremonies, however, are my creation, along with some terms like the Vrretp Tsamsiyus and the Na 'aw Eo Eywa Si Olo'

P.S. I am sorry for any misspelled words that you may run across, the spell check was acting weird. Just know that I did try to correct as many as I could :)