Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the plots of Avatar!

Chapter 11: Us Against the World

Though she missed her family and the clan, living as outcasts wasn't all that bad. She still saw her family on occasion, when they decided to meet up at certain locations. That and Kauri always told her that it was them against the world and honestly? That was all she had needed to hear.

She couldn't quite believe just how much time had passed since the attack on the Metkayina. 4 whole months and surprisingly, it had been rather peaceful. Tuk and Kauri had mated before Eywa and were now bonded for life. It all happened rather quickly and Tuk never imagined in her life that this would be the path she would follow but she couldn't complain, she loved him and she had never felt anything like it in her life. The pair had created their own home, in a large beautiful tree that rests in a forest between the Omaticaya and the Metkayina clans. They had turned this tree into a beautiful home with both an outdoor area and an indoor hut to ensure Kauri's eyes were still protected - as he was still adapting to life outside of the caves. Her family visited the tree often and her nieces and nephews absolutely loved climbing up and down its large branches.

Jake had visited with his granddaughters - Neytiri still unable to be around Kauri, despite everything. It hurt Tuk. "Hi dad." Tuk said with a smile, hugging her father as he walked inside the tree hut.

"Hi baby." He said with a smile, hugging his youngest back.

"How is everyone?" she asked softly, watching her nieces play with Kauri.

"Everyone is doing really well. We miss you though, so much." Jake told her truthfully, sitting down on a branch. Tuk nodded, doing the same.

"I miss you all too." She whispered. "Still can't get mom to visit huh?" She asked. It hurt her but she still saw her mother, just without Kauri.

"I'm trying, baby. Your mother is very stubborn." He said with a sad chuckle.

"Yeah she is." She chuckled.

"In time." Jake told her softly.

"We are bonded dad…she has to accept it eventually." She said softly.

"I know and she will." Jake reassured her.

"I hope so." She said softly.

That evening they had prepared dinner and the girls were sitting around the little fire with the family to eat. "Auntie Tuk, when are you going to have a baby?" Her eldest niece asked her. Tuk almost choked on her food.

"Not for a while yet." She said with a small smile. Kauri looked at her and smiled slightly at her reaction.

"But why? Auntie Kiri has babies, I want you to have babies too." Her youngest niece pouted.

Jake chuckled slightly, "They will have children when they are ready girls. Be patient." Jake told his granddaughters. Tuk laughed awkwardly, it was still a sour topic for her. She wasn't sure if she wanted to be a mother at all.

"When Eywa tells me it is right." Tuk simply added, but softly. Knowing the girls wouldn't ask anymore after that.

After saying goodbye to her family, Tuk put out the fire before heading inside and simply laying down. Kauri watched her and swallowed hard, going to lay next to her. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing?"

"You miss being a part of the clans dont you?" He asked her.

"Not as much as I would miss you if I were to rejoin them." She said, hoping to change the subject. She turned to face him as he lay his hand on her stomach gently.

"You don't have to lie to me.." He said softly.

"I'm not." She said simply.

"So stubborn." He said with a grin. Tuk just rolled her eyes.

"Skwang."

Kauri laughed and held onto her. "Shhh." he teased.

Meanwhile back within the shadows the Kutawato were planning their revenge, the revenge of Hanoa's death. Revenge of many of their lives lost.

"We mustn't attack yet." One called out. "Leave it long enough for them to least expect it. Only then will we be strong enough to win."

"Hanoa's death must not go unavenged!" Another shouted.

"And she will be avenged!" the new Tsahik shouted, holding up her staff proudly. "Those who are responsible will pay for her death!" She shouted once more. "The one they call Neytiri…" She hissed.

Many of the Kutawato war cried and howled, they were out for blood. "The traitors, Kauri and Tuk!" The Olo'eyktan shouted. The people cheering for him too.

"The Metkayina will know pain like no other!" Another shouted before they all war cried together.

2 months later.

Tuk knew it. She just knew it and it terrified her. She was scared, she didn't know what to do. This wasn't what she wanted. She just wanted to live the way she wanted, not fearing the future or her path ahead. Kauri had returned from his nighttime hunt and saw her sitting there, blank expression like she had just been told the worse news.

"Tuk?" He asked both confused and concerned. When she didn't answer, he went over to her and moved to his knees too. His hands to her shoulders. "Tuk you're scaring me. What is going on?" he asked once more. She had been staring for so long that she hadn't even realized that her eyes had flooded with pools of tears and only when she moved her eyes to look at him did one slip down her cheek. She swallowed hard and looked at him. "I am with child, Kauri…" She whispered. She was so sad about it. Kauri just widened his eyes for a moment. Not sure how to react at first before looking at her.

"This is a good thing, right?" He asked, stroking her arms slightly. Tuk just sighed.

"I don't know. I never wanted this…" She whispered.

"Never?" He asked, his ears dropping sadly.

"Well..at least not right now." She said truthfully. Kauri swallowed hard and looked at her.

"Eywa has decided." He whispered to her. "This is a miracle and in time you will grow to love." he told her softly. He hadn't wanted to be a father either - at least not whilst he was within the shadows but now his life was perfect and this was the perfect moment to become a parent. "And you know what else?"

"What?" Tuk asked.

"It's us against the world. Only now, that us involves a little version of us too." he said with a small smile. "Everything will be okay, I promise…"

"Yeah.." Was all Tuk could really say before Kauri had pulled her into a hug. Was this truly Eywa's plan? It all felt wrong, all felt strange. Perhaps she just needed to accept it but why couldn't she? This was so hard.