I don't own any characters or anything but the story. Criticism is welcome but please don't be rude.
It was difficult to keep track of time, but as far as Har'ii could tell they had been living with the clan for a couple months. Each day past in about the same way. Though they were no longer working on the hammock anymore, Ku'el and Aktamu still made sure to spent every afternoon with the children. What they ended up doing together usually varied from day to day. Sometimes they would take the time to show them something that hadn't learned yet, have them help gather some needed material for the clan or play some sort of game with them. On occasion Aktamu was would even try to teach them how to wrestle.
No matter what they ended up doing Har'ii enjoyed the time spent with his family and he was really beginning to view Aktamu and Ku'el as his mother and father. He wanted to refer to them as such, but he was hesitant, despite that fact he was sure the couple would be fine with it. They easily referred to them as their children, so this shouldn't be so nerve wracking, but somehow it was. This was where his thoughts were while he was eating breakfast one day.
He was so deep in thought, he didn't notice immediately when Aktamu asked him a question. He then realized that he was gazing at him and he had no idea what he just said. "I'm sorry, what?" He looked at him curiously before repeating "I was wondering what you would like to do, when I get back this afternoon." Har'ii shrugged before saying "I'm not sure, maybe go swimming." After he got over his embarrassment of not wearing any clothes, Har'ii found he actually enjoyed swimming in the river. "I don't have any problem with that." He said with a smile.
Aktamu soon finished eating and got up to leave as usual, stating he would be back by the afternoon. Har'ii back in his own thought bid him farewell "Bye daddy." Har'ii eyes widened, when he realized what he just said, as Aktamu froze. Har'ii anxiously waited for his reaction. The man paused for just a second and then, grinning widely, gave Har'ii a quick hug, before saying "Bye son." He then took off, tail swishing happily behind him, after bidding farewell to the rest of the family.
Har'ii turned to look at the others to see Ku'el was watching with a warm expression, while Ro'an and Hirmi'ee looked at him with shocked expressions, then Hirmi'ee shifted to understanding and Ro'an gave him a smile and a nod . Ku'el smiled at him gently before saying "Well, little ones it's time for me to get going as well, so go on and find your friends and I will see you later." With just a moment of hesitation Har'ii said "Okay mommy, have a good day." Ku'el smiled again, before heading off. Har'ii couldn't feel happier as he went to try and find Tsu'tey.
Deep in the forest Ateyo was watching, amused, as his friend, Aktamu, was practically bouncing through the forest as they walked. He was used to his normal cheerfulness, but this was a completely different level. He finally asked "Okay what's got you in such a good mood?" Aktamu smiled somehow managed to widen and he told him how his oldest child had finally called him daddy that morning. Ateyo couldn't help but smile at his friend's enthusiasm, as he knew the man had been waiting somewhat anxiously for this, though he tried not to show it.
As they continued through trees he pondered the recent development in his friend's life. Ateyo was genuinely happy for Aktamu recent good fortune. The two had been friends for several years and he had felt sorrow seeing how hard it was on his friend to be denied the one thing he wanted most for so may years, a family of his own. He and Hualni had Tsu'tey rather quickly after they had mated but it hadn't been easy. The pregnancy and birth had been hard on Hualni body and they were advised by both the healers and Mo'at against having a second child. That had hurt some as they had wished to give Tsu'tey a sibling, but he knew it was nothing compared to what Aktamu and Ku'el must of felt.
Despite everything Aktamu tended to have cheerful nature and a positive outlook on life and Ku'el never let any pain show and kept faith in Eywa. He had been thrilled when they were chosen as the trio's parents, knowing how much it must have meant to the couple. He was also glad to see that the three children, Har'ii, Ro'an and Hirmi'ee, were adjusting well to their new lives and family. He still didn't know what had happen to leave them in the forest alone, but since they were now happily settled in the Omaticaya clan, it didn't seem to matter much.
His thoughts were then interrupted by one of the female hunters, Epa, saying "You know I couldn't help but notice that Tsu'tey and Har'ii have become rather good friends." Ateyo nodded, having seen this as well and was quite pleased with it. "Yes, they have become quite close." He said with a slight smile. Aktamu grinned as he added "Har'ii often talks about what the two of them did each day or ask me to clarify something Tsu'tey told him."
The conversation was interrupted suddenly by a loud roar nearby and to the hunters' fear it sounded like the cry of a palulukan. They all stopped moving and listened carefully, wary of making too much noise. Ateyo carefully grabbed his bow, ears twitching as he tried to detect the animals movements. There were sound of breaking twigs and then a palulukan burst out of the trees just a few feet away from them. It snarled upon seeing the hunters, before running towards them and they scattered in terror.
Ateyo managed to quickly climb a nearby, getting high enough the creature wouldn't be able leap at him. He looked around to see the palulukan slash at one of the others and to his horror saw that it was Aktamu. His bow was somehow still in his hand, so he grabbed an arrow, pulled it back and fired. He hit the creatures back and while it didn't pierce the tough skin, it was enough to draw his attention away from his friend. He swiftly fired another arrow, this time hitting the less armored sides and embedding it the skin. The palulukan roared in anger and had started racing towards him, when another arrow hit him on his others side.
Ateyo turned and saw that it was Epa that had fired and she quickly got another arrow ready, as the palulukan twisted to look at her. Before the creature could move she let the arrow go this time managing to hit one of operculum holes on the side of it neck. This caused him to collapse, breathing hard and crying out in pain. Ateyo watched as Epa moved to the animals side, pulled at a knife and ended his suffering.
As she said a prayer to Eywa, Ateyo climbed down from the tree as fast as he could and ran over to check on Aktamu, a couple of the hunters doing the same. His initial impression of his friend condition wasn't good. Aktamu had three long wounds along his side going up onto his stomach and chest for a couple inches. The wounds looked fairly deep and were bleeding quite a bit. To Ateyo's relief however Aktamu seemed perfectly alert, though his body was tense with pain. "Don't worry my friend, we are going to help you." Aktamu nodded and looked like he was trying to smile, though it came out as a grimace.
Ateyo regretted that they had not brought their ikran or pa'li today, as they had been hunting smaller prey and had not thought it necessary. He wished they had, since it would have been a much faster trip back to the hometree, but there was nothing they could do for it now. He and couple of the other hunters worked swiftly to fashion a makeshift bandage from some large leaves to try to stem as much of the bleeding as possible. Two of the strongest hunters then gently lifted Aktamu up and carefully carried him through the forest, as Ateyo led the way back to the hometree.
As they hurried back as fast as they could, Ateyo kept a close eye on his friend to make sure he wasn't getting worse. He kept asking him questions and talking to him about anything he could think of to keep him alert. It felt like it took way too long to get back with how anxious Ateyo was to get Aktamu into the capable hands of the healers. Palulukan attacks were not common, as they tended to stay in the deepest part of the forest, but they did happen on occasion.
Finally to everyone's relief the hometree finally came in view and they quickly made there way towards it. People around them made sound of worry and surprise as they entered the hometree, calling out questions about what had happened. They ignored the inquires for now and continued through the common area, but just as they reached the middle spiral, Ateyo heard a young voice say "Daddy?" He turned to see Aktamu's oldest son alarmed expression as he stared at his father.
Har'ii had been playing with Tsu'tey, who had been showing him a toy version of the ikran, when they noticed the tone of the voices around change. They turned to see what was going on and Har'ii was surprised an confused to see the hunters back already, as it was not even time for mid-day meal yet. He started to walk over to see what was going on, but stopped suddenly when he saw the form of his father being carried by the hunters. He saw the large leaves wrapped on his side and the pained expression on his face and couldn't stop from calling out to him.
Har'ii tried getting to him, but was stopped by Ateyo placing an hand on his shoulder. "Calm little one, let them get him to the healers." As much as he wanted go to his father, he knew Ateyo was right, so he allowed himself to be held back as they started to carry Aktamu up to the medical area. He and Ateyo then followed them up the tree, with Tsu'tey following right behind them. Har'ii asked what happened and Ateyo told him about encountering the palulukan. Har'ii felt a bolt of worry and fear go through him, as he had heard from other the dangers of the palulukan.
He couldn't help but think that it seemed so unfair it was that he had finally had a family of his own and part of it was in danger of being taken away from him. Tsu'tey came forward and grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze of comfort and support and Har'ii gave him a shaky smile in response. Someone called Har'ii name and he turned his head to see his siblings coming towards him. "Har'ii what's going on?" Ro'an asked as the two started to follow them. "The hunters ran into a palulukan and daddy got injured." Har'ii answered sounding stressed. Hirmi'ee gasped "Oh, no."
They then reached the medical bay and saw the healers working furiously over their father. As they stood there watching Ro'an wrapped his right arm around Har'ii shoulders and gripped Hirmi'ee hand with his left. They stayed like that for little while before Ku'el appeared looking distraught and Har'ii disentangled himself from Ro'an and Tsu'tey, to run toward her and wrap his arms around her. Hirmi'ee and Ro'an came over as well and their mother knelt down and hugged the three of them fiercely. " It's going to be okay little ones, he's going to be okay." She seemed be trying to reassure herself as much as them and Har'ii hugged her tighter wanting desperately to believe her.
Har'ii didn't know how long they just sat there embracing each other, as the silence between them was only broken by Ku'el whispering a quiet prayer to Eywa. Eventually a healer approached and they pulled apart to look at him. "We managed to completely stop the bleeding and found that his wounds were thankfully not as deep as they first appeared. He did lose quite a bit of blood, but as long he does not develop any kind of sickness, we believe he will make a full recovery."
Everyone grinned in joy and relief at this and the healer smiled as well before telling them "It will take a few weeks to fully heal and he will still have the scars." They nodded and Ku'el asked "May we see him?" "As long as you don't stress him out and not for long, he needs rest." He then led them over to where Aktamu was, who though he was clearly tired, smiled upon seeing them.
Har'ii noticed there was some kind of thick green paste covering most of left side and it had a rather strong smell to it. "Hey daddy, how are you feeling?" His smiled turned soft as he responded "I am all right little one, do not worry." He held out his hand for Har'ii, who grabbed it, holding tight. Their mother kissed her mate's head whispering how glad she was that he was okay. Hirmi'ee still looking slightly worried stepped forward and leaned carefully against his uninjured side and Aktamu wrapped an arm around her shoulder in comfort. He then gestured to Ro'an to come to him before pulling him close as well. They pulled away after a second feeling a lot better.
Ateyo who had been standing nearby approached then, with Tsu'tey by his side. He had wanted to check on Aktamu himself, but had stayed back not wanting interrupt the family moment. He smiled at his him and said "You gave us quite a scare there, my friend." He grinned sheepishly at that but otherwise didn't respond. Aktamu then yawned and Ateyo knew it would be to long before fell asleep from herbal tea he been given for the pain, so he and Tsu'tey bid farewell to the family.
Har'ii could tell Aktamu was fighting to stay awake, so walked over to give a gentle hug, careful to not hurt him and whisper in his ear "Get some rest daddy." Ku'el kissed his cheek this time "Get well, my love." Ro'an and Hirmi'ee wished him to get well, before he finally fell asleep and Ku'el ushered them out. As they walked away from the medical area Har'ii thought about how fortunate he was right now and for the first time said a prayer to Eywa thanking her for the new life. He also sent one to Gaia thanking her for the opportunity, though he didn't know if she would hear it. Finally he sent one to Eywa asking for the swift recovery of his father and the safety of his family. Ro'an looked at him then, but he just smiled and continued on content with how things were going right now.