Hey everyone! Sorry this took so long...been busy...yadda yadda...

And it's pretty short. Again...sorry bout that.

Anyway, though, i hope you all enjoy!

PLEASE REVIEW!

Hey! If you want to be really nice to your dedicated author, read on: As you guys know, I have a bunch of stories, this one not included. So, if you like my writing style, feel free to check my other stories out and give me some feedback! The two I'm really focusing on (other than this one) are Sasuke: Beginning of the End (Naruto Shippuden, Sequel to Hikari: Path of the Avenger) and Water: Twist of Fate (Avatar: The Last Airbender). So...yeah! if you're familiar with (and enjoy, obviously) Avatar: the Last Airbender and/or Naruto...feel free to check those out and give me some feedback! Any ideas or critiques are HUGELY appreciated!

Thanks!

"Sa'nok said that you had something to give me, Tìrol. Is that true?" Kinäe asked, her eyes flickering to something on his right briefly before settling back on his face, her lips twitching upward in a smirk that made it seem like she was sharing a private joke with him. Kinäe and Sara's smiles were very similar in that respect, and as a result, Tìrol couldn't help but smile back.

"Yes, I'll give it to you in a minute." Tìrol gestured to his food, and the girl nodded, immediately resuming her work on the slender bracelet. The boy stole glances at her as he ate, and couldn't help but admire the way the firelight made the large white flower tucked behind her ear glow gently. For all that Kinäe and Sara's personalities were similar, it was clear that, physically, Kinäe took after her father. They had the same large, luminous eyes, and the same fierce features, though Kinäe was obviously more delicate and feminine in her fierceness.

Sara was much less so, possessing a studier body structure. Sa'nok said that this was a result of Sara once being a tawtute. Tìrol wished that he could have seen Sara when she was a tawtute…he had never seen a tawtute before, and he was naturally curious. Sempul, Sara, and anyone who was fluent in the tawtute language – 'Ìnglìsì, Sa'nok had called it – still taught whoever wanted to learn, and it was encouraged because in case the Sky People ever did return, the Na'vi needed people who could speak the language. Sempul had taught him and his brother extensively, which resulted in him being able to speak it almost fluently, but not many of his clan mates were eager to learn.

People had told him of their ugliness and their cruelty…but if Sara was part tawtute…they couldn't be that bad, could they? And if they hadn't come to their land, Sa'nok never would have met Sempul, and Sara never would have met Kinak. Tìrol, Norm, Kinäe, and her younger brother Tompa wouldn't be here if the Sky People hadn't decided to approach the Omaticaya and Tipani.

Tìrol glanced at Kinäe out of the corner of his eye, and saw that Kinäe did not have many of the tawute features Sara possessed. But it didn't make her any less appealing. Kinäe sensed Tìrol's gaze on her, and her eyes – he was on her right side, so he focused on the closer golden eye rather than the green one – flickered to him, and her brow rose in silent question.

"Do I have something on my face? Sempul always scolds me for not remembering to wash my face after playing with Tanhì, because of the mud…" Kinäe bit her lip, unconsciously running her hands over her face, and Tìrol smiled.

"No…I was just thinking."

"About…?" she spoke slowly, truly curious, a small frown on her face.

"You."

Kinäe nodded seriously, and Tìrol realized what he had just said. Food fell out of his mouth as his jaw dropped in shock, and Kinäe grimaced before reaching over to push upwards on his chin, effectively closing his mouth. Tìrol's teeth clicked together, and she quickly pulled away, rolling her eyes.

"I suggest you think about me with your mouth closed, Tìrol."

And with that, she went back to her braiding, not perturbed in the slightest that Tìrol had accidently revealed that she had been the subject of his thoughts. But she was strange like that…or else she was just extremely oblivious to the implications most people placed on someone revealing that the other person was on their mind. Based on the peaceful hum that was being emitted from the girl, Tìrol was betting on the latter.

Kinäe had always been somewhat of a mystery to Tìrol, probably because he had never made an effort to get to know her. It didn't help that they lived in two different clans, but that wasn't the only excuse. They had been friends when they were younger, but as time went on, they matured, and the bond that held them together just…faded. It was common for males and females to be somewhat apart as they grew older, because of the sudden rush of hormones and sexual awareness.

The girl beside him was comfortable with the silence, and concentrated on braiding the intricate bracelet in her long fingers – there were five of them, just like Sara – while she waited for Tìrol to finish eating. The boy took that time to study her, in order to marvel at how much older she looked. They hadn't been in close proximity for nearly a year, not because of active avoidance, but merely by the fact that Kinäe had always been preoccupied with some task or friends whenever Tìrol came to visit, and it was likewise when Kinäe visited the Omaticaya.

Tìrol finished his meal, and put the leaf plate on the ground before reaching over to retrieve the package by his foot. Only to clench his fingers around air. Tìrol felt a pang of panic spike through him as he looked down to his right, his eyes widening when he saw that the package that had been there just minutes before was now gone.

Kinäe, without looking up, muttered. "Is something wrong?"

Tìrol was silent, staring down at the space where the package had been, and his lips tightened as they saw the slight depression in the dirt where it had been resting. It had been there…the only explanation was that someone took it. But who would take something like that? It wasn't large…perhaps it had been mistaken as something else…

Tìrol glanced over at Kinäe at the sound of her quiet laugh, and his eyes narrowed at the all-too-innocent smile that was spreading across her face.

Kinäe couldn't believe that Tìrol hadn't noticed Tompa stealing the package. It had been so obvious! Her younger brother hadn't even been trying very hard…it just goes to show that Sa'nok was right. Males were next to useless when looking at or thinking about females; the blood "didn't quite make it to the brain", or so Sa'nok said. The thought that he might find her attractive was laughable – none could reach the heart of the untouchable Tìrol – and Kinäe wasn't foolish enough to even consider it.

Still…Tìrol was more mature than she had been expecting. It had been nearly a year since they last spoke face to face, and he was much more of a man than the lanky boy he had been the last time she saw him. He was growing up to look just like Jake – he even had five fingers and toes – and whenever he smiled, Kinäe could see the playful spark in his eyes that she always saw in Jake's.

But enough of that…it wasn't like she was attracted to him or anything. They lived in different clans; no matter how close their parents may be, there was no chance for anything closer than friendship. And it wasn't like Kinäe was pining over Tìrol or anything…she was just casually noticing that she wouldn't be surprised if some Omaticaya girls found him extremely appealing. He was two years older than her…on his way to becoming a taronyu – well, Kinäe was soon to be named a taronyu as well, but Sempul said that it would be better to keep that to herself until after Tìrol completed the Iknimaya – and she was more comparable to a younger sister than an equal.

The Tipani girl repressed a smile as she glanced at the boy before moving her hands quickly in the pattern her best friend Seriv had shown her. Seriv's mother Lielu had shown her how to do it, and Seriv hadn't hesitated to show Kinäe soon after. It was a simple yet elegant braid, used more often in arm bands and bracelets than for more practical items such as a cooking basket or sleeping mat. Kinäe was making an anklet for Tompa, with his favorite color – red – making up the bulk.

The girl smirked as the boy got up, moving around the log in frustration, and his eyes snapped to her face at the snicker that escaped Kinäe's lips. She sighed as his eyes narrowed at her, and she looked back to her project.

"Tompa took it. He's working on his stealth, and he's taken to stealing things and forcing everyone to look for him. He's hiding, and won't give it back until you find him."

Tìrol looked puzzled, and Kinäe set down the anklet, looking up at him. "I'll help you look for him. C'mon." she muttered, tucking the leather into her waistband before standing up. Tìrol's eyes followed her, and she saw the tightness to his jaw.

"Don't look so angry, Tìrol, it doesn't suit you. Don't worry, you're not the only one that Tompa's stolen from. The entire clan's been on their toes lately because of Tompa. Sa'nok's the only one Tompa never steals from, but that's probably because she's as childish as he is, and would know exactly where to look."

"Doesn't that mean that you would know where to look as well?"

His teasing took her by surprise, and she gaped up at him. Well, two could play at that game. "Yes. But I don't just hand out favors…you'll have to do something for me in return."

"What do you want?" he asked boldly, smirking as he put his hand on his hip.

"You have to play 'Truth or Dare' with me." The game was a Skypeople game, the name of the activity was spoken in the tawute language, but she knew that Jake had taught his children the language, so she wasn't surprised when Tìrol grinned widely.

"Aren't you a bit old for that sort of thing?"

The game consisted of two players, and each person got a turn in offering their partner a truth or a dare. It was a game that Sa'nok loved, and one that Sempul hated. That was why Sa'nok had taught Kinäe and Tompa the rules in secret, and ever since then it had become one of Kinäe's favorite games.

Kinäe shrugged. "Oh, I see. I guess you're just scared that I'll win. I understand. I'm sure that you have safer things to do…like braiding your hair or something."

Kinäe made to walk away, but Tìrol roughly yanked her back, teeth bared.

"Fine, I'll play." he hissed, and Kinäe smiled widely. Boys. Always so easily goaded. "But first," Tìrol continued, "you have to find Tompa for me."

"Done!" Kinäe crowed in triumph, and raced up into the branches. She knew Tompa's favorite hiding spot, and therefore had him located within minutes. The air was cool and delicious as she swung lightly up to one of the higher platforms, her tail stretched out as she unconsciously regained her balance. The girl listened carefully, her keen senses immediately picking up on soft giggles coming from the large branch below her. The girl ducked down, and saw a small bundle of leaves shaking slightly.

With a smile, Kinäe poked her head around the wall of leaves, and Tompa gave a loud cry of surprise, his thin arms and legs kicking wildly at her as she yanked him up and held him under her arm. He was less willowy and slender than the other kids his age – he got his more compact body structure from Sa'nok– but Kinäe still lifted him easily. Tìrol's package was resting on the branch beside the leaves, and so Kinäe scooped it up before moving to make her way down to the main meeting area once more.

"Ah, Kinäe, let me go!"

"No way, skxawng! This is your punishment for making so much noise!"

"I'm telling Sempu!" the boy cried, his braids whipping her in the shoulder as he yanked his head around to glare at her smugly. As if that was some kind of foreboding threat…oh please.

Kinäe responded by ticking his sides, making him squeak and shriek deafeningly. The boy, flushed and embarrassed at the sound he was tickled into making, tried to bite her hand, but she carefully adjusted so it was out of range.

The girl snorted. "You go ahead and tell him. I'll just tell him how you stole Tìrol's things without permission, and refused to give them back."

"That's no fair!"

Kinäe growled, and pinched her brother's leg sharply, making him yelp.

"You say that as if I care, Tompa…"

Tompa went silent, and pouted, the twelve-year-old's tail tucked in between his legs as he lay limp in Kinäe's arms. Kinäe grinned at his sign of acceptance, and caught sight of Tìrol standing by the spiraling staircase, his ears swiveling around at the sound of their approach. Kinäe held up her brother, and the package, triumphantly. Tìrol took the package, and watched as Kinäe released Tompa with a flick of her tail.

Tìrol smiled. "Thank you, Kinäe. That would have taken me all night."

"I know." the girl replied without pause, and Tìrol growled. Kinäe sent a beaming grin at him, and was about to say something when Tompa – the vrrtep – started singing loudly.

"Tìrol likes Kinäe, Kinäe likes Tìrol! Ooh! Can I give you a tìmuntxa gift now, or should I wait?" The boy made kissy faces, and both Tìrol and Kinäe yelled in denial at the same time, Kinäe's cheeks aflame and Tìrol's eyes wide.

"I don't like him – I don't like her!" They both stared at each other, and Kinäe quickly looked away. Tompa was cackling evilly, and Kinäe felt her anger swell. That little monster! He knew as well as anyone else that nothing was going on between her and Tìrol, and so of course, he had to go around saying that there was!

Kinäe snarled at the smug expression, and slapped her brother hard on the shoulder, making Tompa cry out in pain. Tìrol was silent as Tompa hissed at her, his tail whipping around his legs in anger. Kinäe bared her teeth, her ears flicking back, and with a whimper Tompa raced away.

The boy ran straight to Sa'nok, who was working with a few women to clean up the fire pit. Kinäe cringed as Tompa immediately began jabbering to his mother in a hurt tone, and the girl's ears flattened against her skull – this time it was an action of guilt – as Sa'nok's eyes snapped to Kinäe sternly, motioning her over. Kinäe let out a groan, and sent a small and tense wave to Tìrol before reluctantly trudging over to where her mother was waiting, her dirt smudged hands planted firmly on Tompa's shoulders.

Sometimes, Kinäe wished that her parents had stopped at having one child. At the least, Kinak wished they received another daughter. Younger brothers like Tompa were just plain annoying, and Kinäe – bracing herself for the scolding she was about to receive – bitterly imagined how much better her life would be with a younger sister.

Everything would be so much better.

Kinäe was so lost in her thoughts that she was oblivious to the fact that Tìrol still held the package – Kinäe's package – in his hands, and that he had failed to play 'Truth of Dare' with her. It seemed to have been erased from his mind as well, for he walked away without giving her the package, his eyes deep and thoughtful as he stole a quick glance at her retreating back.

Then, he turned away once more, tucking the package under his arm as he ascended the spiral staircase.