I don't own any characters or anything but the story. Alright everyone I know its a little late but Happy New Years to all of you and I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Tsu'tey felt numb as he stood just outside the healing area of the hometree, as he struggled to process what had just happened. When the healer had informed him and his father that his mother was now with Eywa, Tsu'tey had felt like he couldn't breathe and needed to get out to get some air. His father was still inside but he just couldn't stay in there anymore.

He didn't know how long he stood there as he was not really aware of what was happening around him. It wasn't until someone called his name that he realized someone was right in front of him. He must have been really out of it, because Har'ii was now standing just a couple inches in front of him and he hadn't noticed him. Har'ii was saying something but Tsu'tey couldn't make himself focus enough to pay attention to the words.

All at once the grief started hitting him and he could feel the tears building in his eyes and his hands started to shake. The next thing he knew he felt a pair of arms wrapping around him and he was pulled into a tight embrace by his best friend. Without thinking about he wrapped his own arms around Har'ii and found himself sobbing earnestly into his shoulder. He didn't know how long they stood there, but Har'ii just continued to hold him tight, occasionally rubbing his back soothingly, until Tsu'tey himself pulled away.

Tsu'tey could not honestly remember most of what in the days following, but one thing he had noticed was how his best friend almost never left his side. His steady presence was something Tsu'tey found great solace in the days that passed after his mother's death, particularly in the harder moments in those times.

During the ceremony to bury his mother beneath the roots of the hometree, Har'ii didn't say much at all but held Tsu'tey's hand the whole time. Neytiri had stood at his other side in silent support and Tsu'tey had noticed that Har'ii's parents had stayed close to his father the whole time. That was one of the harder days and Tsu'tey would later look back feeling grateful that he didn't have to go through it alone.

A couple weeks after his mother's death Tsu'tey was sitting high up in the hometree, not quite to the branch that led to where the ikran were kept but rather close. Har'ii was of course sitting right next to him, though his attention was currently on the bow he was crafting in his hands. Tsu'tey had his own with him as well.

This was first time either had touched them in the past couple weeks, because Tsu'tey hadn't felt up to working on his bow and his best friend had been more worried about being there for Tsu'tey. Tsu'tey glanced up from his own work to look over at his friend and watching him for a few seconds as Har'ii concentrated entirely carefully chipping away at the wood. While gazing at Har'ii he took note for first time of the fact the other boy's hair was not how he usually wore.

Instead of being mostly loose it was now braided into about a half dozen small braids that was weaved together around the longer braid of his queue. He wondered how long his friend's hair had been like that and how he had not noticed before, though he guessed it was because he had been to grief stricken to pay attention.

As he continued to examine Har'ii he couldn't help but think the new hair style made his friend look older and more mature. For some reason this observation caused a slight flutter in his stomach he didn't understand, but before he could think further on it Har'ii finally noticed him looking at him and turned to give him a confused look.

Tsu'tey tried to shake off the odd feeling and give his friend a smile "Sorry, I just noticed that your hair was different." Har'ii reached up and touched his hair before shrugging and saying "My mom thought I should try something different and I actually quite like it." Tsu'tey nodded as he said "It suit you." Har'ii smiled at that and Tsu'tey had to once again shake odd feeling it gave him.

He sat there trying to find a way to change the topic and grateful when his friend cleared his throat to get his attention. "Hey.. Um" Har'ii began hesitantly and Tsu'tey waited for him to continue, curious about why he seemed nervous. "Do you remember when you told me you wanted to become a warrior?" Tsu'tey nodded getting an idea where this discussion was headed.

"Well I've been thinking on you said about wanting me to become one too." Har'ii paused for second before continuing "and I decided that I will join you." For the first time since his mother's death Tsu'tey felt a grin start to appear on his and he barely stopped himself from hugging his friend, not wanting to damage the bows the two of them still held.

"You really mean that?" he asked wanting to be sure, while also already picturing them fighting side by side for their clan. Har'ii nodded with a small smile on his face and Tsu'tey smiled back before starting to tell his best friend all about how he thought they could become the best warriors the clan had and defend their people from any threats. They continued to talk and work on their bows and while Tsu'tey still felt rather distraught whenever he thought about his mother he felt better knowing Har'ii, his best and closest friend would always have his back.

Quick note about the next the next chapter, I am going to skip a couple years because I want to get Harry and Tsu'tey to being basically in their teens so I can start developing the romance between them. It will still be rather slow burn though.