+Na'vi or Human +

Mia's P.O.V

The next morning when I awoke in my avatar I was hesitant to pull back the cocoon. Why was I hesitant? In truth I was afraid to see Tsu'tey that day. I was also afraid that when I confronted Atan'eko I'd likely choke him to death with my bare hands. However when I finally decided to leave my cocoon to head down to breakfast, I found Neytiri flanking me almost immediately.

"You waited for me," I asked her shocked.

"You need someone by your side today after last night," she replied as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder. Smiling at her I did the same. It was a hug that was reserved for friends. Something that I now knew we were.

As we walked into the morning gathering Neytiri led me over to sit with Mo'at instantly, claiming Jake had already ate. Apparently Jake had been up much earlier than I had thought this morning, and it was all because he wanted to go riding. When I had asked what he was riding she had simply laughed and replied, "Ikran of course." Shaking my head my smile grew until I noticed Atan'eko walk into breakfast. Noticing my change in mood Mo'at spoke, "You do not have to agree to the engagement MiaSully. You know you still have a choice."

"I know, I just… in my culture we have to wait years until we decide to choose another mate," I lied as both Neytiri and Mo'at looked at me curiously now.

"You've had a mate before," Mo'at questioned with interest.

"Yes."

"What happened to him," Neytiri asked a little unsure of how to approach the subject.

"He died in battle. He was a fellow warrior to my brother; my brother's best friend to be exact. He was a good man, and I'm not ready to move on from what happened to him quite yet," I lied once more. I was ready to move on alright, just not to Atan'eko or the other warriors here. There was only one I wanted, but he hated me now. Not to mention he had hurt me by his words. I'm not even sure I had the strength, courage, or nerves to speak to him again.

Turning my attention back to Mo'at I found my lie had worked. She was taking my 'custom' into consideration. After a few moments I got the reaction I had been waiting for. Giving a simple nod of approval I found that was all it took to make my day a little brighter. Finishing up breakfast I raced Neytiri up to the top of Home-tree to where our ikrans perched.

Calling out to them the moment we made it to the tree limb, they swooped from high and low as they landed next to their riders. Sese was happy to find Neytiri had brought him what was left of her breakfast, as well as Sage whom had found the purple fruit in my hand just as quickly.

"Hey there boy, you ready to fly today," I grinned as I looked up at Sage with admiration. Unlike many ikrans I had seen, his purple shade was an unusual deep neon violet that you'd find, even if you were standing far off, you could still see him from miles away. His blue was as bright as Sese's and now looking closely I could see the hint of gold scales coating his hide. His eyes were the most striking though. So much like my past lover's eyes had been; a deep dark abyss of emerald that seemed to stare straight into your soul, however they also had a playful a hint of tiny golden specks that glimmered bright when the caught in the light.

"What is his name," Neytiri asked suddenly looking over me with curiosity.

"Sage," I whispered closing my eyes as I leaned into his beak lovingly just like I used to nuzzle my head into Sage's shoulders.

"You two have a very close bond already. It's as if he's known you his whole life," she replied walking over to me carefully as she placed her hand on Sage. Sage didn't make a move to harm her, not as long as he saw the reassurance in my eyes.

If only Neytiri knew just how close of a bond I truly had with him; just how much Sage meant to me. It was Eywa's … no… better yet it was Sage's way, of saying everything was going to be alright, and that he'd always be here for me in some way; that when I felt grounded, and chained, he'd always be there to lift me up and free me once again. "It feels that way," I whispered opening my eyes and looking into Sage's emeralds.

"Come, we should go find Jake," Neytiri coaxed me as I nodded. Connecting my queue to Sage's I hoped onto his back easily. Without waiting for Neytiri I urged him forward off the limb. The moment he dove I felt that same wonderful feeling of happiness spread throughout my veins, as well as the adrenalin. Nothing, no plane, no rollercoaster, no scary movie could ever amount to what riding an ikran felt like. It was an amazing feeling that could simply take your breath away and leave you wanting more. It was something you'd never forget no matter what.

Neytiri soon caught up with me as she directed me to follow her towards the Hallelujah Mountains. When we arrived I found Jake soaring through the clouds with pride. My brother might not be suited for direhorse, but he was born to fly an ikran, that much was certain. I guess we both were in a way though. Something about this just seemed natural, almost right. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Hearing another call echo from behind us, both Neytiri and I turned in time to find Tsu'tey following close behind with some other new ikran riders. He was teaching them how to control their ikran, something I knew all too well that I would not need.

Hearing a snort from underneath me I looked down at Sage and replied, "Well I don't." Sage took a sudden dive almost as if to prove me wrong. Thinking harshly to him to pull up he quickly obeyed as he gave a few other sounds, almost as if he was chuckling at me. Rolling my eyes at the banshee below me I turned to find Tsu'tey pulling up beside us, as well as Atan'eko. Growling, Sage sensed my discomfort as he pulled back and waited for the others to pass. Then he flew up next to Jake's ikran leaving a few curious Na'vi's in his wake. A couple of heads turned to look at me, but when Tsu'tey noticed their eyes were no longer on the sky ahead he disciplined them harshly. With that they turned their eyes away as Tsu'tey's now turned to look me. Our eyes locked for a brief moment, as they brought up memories of last night's events. Then my eyes harden as a scowl spread throughout my lips. He hurt me. That's all that mattered now. Turning to look forward I ignored his brief looks every once in awhile, or his harsh words to his other students when they did something wrong. I even ignored his irritated look with Jake and Neytiri as they began to flirt with one another openly by ramming their ikrans into one another. The only thing I kept my mind on was that soon this so called lesson would be over soon.

When it was I continued flying without the others. A little closer to Home-tree, but all the same I continued to soar through the low hanging clouds. Being linked with Sage, just made me feel happy, calm, free even, and no matter what thought entered my mind the banshee always seemed to banish it with something better. Just like the human Sage had once done long ago when I was in one of my bad moods.

"I've missed you for so long, Sage," I whispered with closed eyes. Hearing a loud screech I opened my eyes and smiled brightly at the ikran below me. "Is this really you returned from the other world, or just a trick," I asked with playfulness. However as I asked the question, it seemed as if it were answered with an image not from my mind, but from his; a vision of me twirling around in a white gown in one of the local bridal shops that had been in town. The same gown I had picked out for our wedding that never occurred. My eyes watered suddenly as I choked out a sob, "It really is you isn't?" Sage flapped his wings fiercely while shaking his head. My tears continued to fall as I leaned against his back and held on tightly. "Thank you Eywa. Thank you for sending him back to me," I whispered into the breeze. The wind whipped past me a lot quicker as if she really had heard me. Smiling I leaned back up and replied, "Come on Sage, it's time to go back to Home-Tree."

After leaving Sage to perch up high in the branches I made my way back down to entrance of Home-tree. Mainly to see if I could find Jake, however I found Atan'eko instead as he walked right up to me. It was as if he hadn't done anything the way he looked at me and went to say, "How are you today?" I was so angered by it that without a single thought of hesitance I turned and landed my fist right into his nose. He stumbled backwards as all eyes turned on me. Well if I was going to make a show then I'd make sure they knew why I'd done it, "My answer was, 'NO' Atan'eko! Next time respect that! I will not be your mate, and for that matter no one else's! I'm a widow and that's how my culture demands it to remain. I've respected yours now respect mine that is all I asked. Next time you feel the need to go behind my back and do something so stupid and childish, remember I am not my brother, and I will not hesitate to put my fist through your face again." With that I pulled the all famous move used by most angered girls. I landed my knee straight into his groin. Doubling over he moved away from me as I smiled in triumph. Whipping back around I continued on my way as many female, and male, Na'vi cheered for me. Apparently he had angered more than just me and my friends.

Passing by Eytukan and Mo'at, she stopped me and replied, "A simple, 'no' would have sufficed, but thank you anyway. It might teach him some respect that none of us have been able too."

"Trust me when I say it was my pleasure," I smirked devilishly before excusing myself. As I turned I caught Tsu'tey's eyes on me. My smirk fell as my eyes followed his. It was not until he was behind me that my eyes tore away from the bewildered golden orbs. In my opinion it was time for me to stand my ground around here. I had let people walk over me for way to long. If I was to be a warrior then I was going to prove it to the others.

The days began to blur by for the next month and a half as I spent my time flying, hunting, or training. I managed to perfect my warrior skills to the best of my abilities. I got my emotions back in check to a point where I drew all of them back inside, just like I once had when I had first arrived. However unlike before I let myself show some of the emotion in spurts whether it was during the time I spent with friends, or alone with Sage. That way I was releasing it instead of keeping it all bottled up for too long.

Tsu'tey and I had not changed during that time period though. We had not spoken to one another since that night Mo'at had announced my supposed engagement to Atan'eko. We had barely looked at each since that day I had told Atan'eko off either. The only time we said a word to one another was when we were up in the air during one of our flying lessons, and even then it was speaking to the whole group. It's not that I was still mad at Tsu'tey, it was just I was uncertain of how to approach him. Uncertain that he would accept my apology, or for that matter even give me a chance to speak to him.

Atan'eko had backed off, but he had not remained quiet. I had heard from many of his friends of how unhappy he was about me throwing my fist at his nose, and that he was going around telling stories of how I had thrown myself at him; something that was definitely untrue. I did find though that the other Na'vi males were sticking up for me. They were also threatening him to back off and leave me be and that he ought to respect my culture as much as I had theirs. I felt a little bad for that tiny lie, but hey at least I had others on my side defending me from his blows, so to speak.

Neytiri and I were growing closer as well since she had revealed her darkest secrets to me. One being her love for my brother, and two being the past death of her sister Sylwanin. We had begun discussing things that neither of us would discuss to anyone else, not to mention Neytiri's discovery of where my heart now truly lied. She had walked in on Tsu'tey and me that one night after we had left dinner; the night when he had cornered me against the tree and vented his angered feelings. I even dared to speak of the secret kiss we had shared beforehand to her. She sympathized with me, and made me feel like I wasn't the only one fighting to keep my head on straight. She understood, like any real sister would. That's what Neytiri had become to me; a sister. I knew if I ever needed anything she would be right there. Yet there were still things I kept from her. Things I even kept from Tsu'tey. Things that I could only share with Jake when we'd head to bed those nights in the shack. Jake and I had also grown closer, maybe even closer than Tommy and I had been during our whole brother-sister relationship. Jake didn't let me make mistakes, he helped me fix them and learn from them unlike Tommy whom covered them up. I guess I had always underestimated the quiet triplet.

Another relationship that had bloomed was the one between Mo'at and I. She had become like my third mother, Grace being the second. Mo'at felt pride at how great my heart had grown for the Omaticaya lifestyle, and for the people here. One day she had caught me outside kicking around the soccer ball with a couple of children. She had watched us for nearly half an hour before intervening to ask if I could teach her. Despite me making a playful joke about her age she simple took it with graciousness replying, "My dear no one is ever too old to try." That had earned a couple of giggles from the kids. Once I hushed the children we began to show her how to play. She caught on quick and before I knew it the old woman was out there kicking the ball around like the best of us.

Eytukan had even slowly taken to me. He trusted me enough to send me out with the other older warriors on trips through the jungle, and even let me take patrol on some nights. Grace wasn't too happy since she was worried about my human body's health. However she only voiced it when I'd return to the shack. That was when she'd order me to eat, no matter my protests. Once when I had complained I was too tired she had threatened me with a feeding tube and handcuffs. When she proved she had what she needed to do it I almost instantly obeyed. Thanks to her special diet she had me on I was quickly picking weight back up again, however I was still looking like I had been in a coma for years. Something Trudy found to poke fun at me many times. I think she did it to make me eat more from guilt.

Norm and Trudy had finally admitted they were a couple to everyone; no shock there considering what I had walked in on that one day. However it was sort of cute now to watch the two of them cuddle in a corner. Yet it sort of made me lonely too. It made me miss the days I had someone to do that. It also kept slowly trying to give me the boost to talk to Tsu'tey, but the courage would always come up short when I'd try to.

Something though, during those weeks, had been out of the ordinary for me however. One day when Jake, Neytiri, and I had been flying together side by side when something unusual had caught my eye. There were these many rock like arches protruding from the earth, almost as if they were orbiting around this one thing that nestled in a bowel below them. Something like a tree you'd see only on Halloween. It looked as if someone had simply thrown toilet paper over its dead branches, but looking closer I did not find that the case. This tree was a beauty in all its own. It was like a willow tree with pure white limbs floating with every breeze that blew past, and something about just seemed… ethereal. Just being near it brought a sense of calm to my mind.

Later after Jake and I had laid our Avatars down to sleep we awoke in the shack and immediately told Grace who had seemed ever so slightly intrigued by what we had saw. Looking back at the images our Avatars had seen she went on to explain just what we had seen earlier that day.

"The Tree of Souls, Vitraya Ramunong," she spoke enthusiastically, as she once again repeated its name in Na'vi, "It's their most sacred place." Looking at Grace beside me she directed my eyes to look at the screen as she explained to all of the group, "See the Flux Vortex in these false color images?"

"Yeah that's what messes up my instruments," Trudy chuckled sarcastically from behind Jake.

"There is something really interesting going on in there biologically," Grace replied with crossed arms. Continuing to look at the screen she said a lot lower this time, "I'd die to get some samples." Glancing over at Jake and I she spoke, "Outsiders are strictly forbidden," and as an afterthought she added, "You lucky swine." Grinning at her she shoved me a little as I continued to look at the pictures. The Tree of Souls was beautiful, something that on our planet you'd never find a single plant or tree to compare to it.

However, later in the week something else happened that definitely caught my eye and almost me for lunch might I add. As the three of us, Neytiri, Jake, and I, all flew our normal route something while aerial hunting something seemed to shadow us. Knowing full and well we were up in the air; I could not even imagine what else could shadow all of us together. However I soon learned what.

Jake and I might have been stone-cold aerial hunters; death from above. Yet the only problem we hadn't learned was we were not the only ones. With a distinct plunge the creature came at us without mercy. Jake screamed for us to dive the moment he saw it coming. As I dove the humungous red ikran went to snap at the back of Sage's tail, narrowly missing him for that matter. Swooping to the side he made his next target Jake as we entered into the jungle below.

Swerving through vines, tree limbs, and other various objects I could hear Jake urging his ikran to hurry forward, all the while the larger ikran was gaining on him. Opening his mouth it roared out its deafening screech as it became angry with its elusive prey.

I could hear Neytiri's bird calls as Jake yelled out to me in panic. I had been separated from them when we had entered the jungle, but I wasn't far as I soon caught up with them, and the creature that was right on their tails… literally.

Jake coming up with a plan ordered Neytiri and I to follow him as he flew into some thicker brush, making it harder for the larger banshee to maneuver past as easily. Getting caught in some of the vines, the only thing the creature could do was open its beak and grumble at us in an ikran like way, before turning and flying off once again. Coming to rest our ikrans on a tree nearby, I landed mine on Neytiri's right as we both whispered calming words to our banshees in Na'vi. They were scared, tired even, but all the same their hearts were slowly beginning to slow as was ours. Taking deep calming breaths I turned to look at Neytiri. Eyes connected for a moment to make sure one another was alright before turning to look at Jake, who was still ever so slightly winded. Then came the joy we felt at escaping the creature, as we all threw our heads back and laughed in unison. As our roars of laughter slowly died down to giggles Jake spoke out to me, "That's not something you see ever day is it Mia."

"Minus the thanator, then yeah I guess," I chuckled as I leaned into Sage and cooed at him lovingly.

"Imagine what it would be like to ride it," Jake suddenly spoke as Neytiri's giggles slowly died down. Wearing a proud smile she replied, "It has happened before." Looking at her with shock she didn't finish as she motioned for us to head back now that the coast seemed clear, and now hear I stood during the present, at the base of Home-tree with Jake and Neytiri as she explained what she had spoken off earlier that day. Looking at a skull of one of the creatures hanging in the middle of the…well I guess you could call it meeting hall, Jake seemed almost mesmerized.

The creature, as called by our guys, was known as a Great Leonopteryx, however Neytiri had another name for it, "It is Toruk. Last Shadow."

"Yeah, right. It's the last one you ever see," Jake joked as he went to stand higher to get a better look at the skull while I simply stood next to Neytiri watching with open ears. Neytiri moved to go stand by Jake as she explained, "My grandfather's grandfather was Toruk Macto. Rider of Last Shadow."

"He rode this," I asked shocked walking up to them now as I too took a look at the skull's large incisors.

"Toruk chose him. It has only happened five times since the time of the First Songs," Neytiri replied looking at me with pride for her family's history. "That's a long time," Jake said as he looked down at her now, averting his eyes away from the skull. "Yes. Toruk Macto was mighty. He brought the clans together in a time of great sorrow. All Na'vi people know the story." Looking away from Neytiri I let my eyes rest one more time on the skeleton of the creature. Jake did too only he seemed to look at it with something else, some emotion I couldn't quite register.

Looking back at Neytiri I replied, "I'm heading to bed. Today's been a long day." Giving a reassuring nod to me, I turned and headed back to my leaf bed. As I laid my head down and closed my eyes I felt as if I could almost drift asleep. Almost as if this was really who I was, yet as the neon light tunnel carried me back to my human body I knew all to well who and what I was. Opening my eyes I inhaled deeply.

Everything seemed backwards now. Like out there was the true world, and in here was the dream. Nothing felt right anymore. Not even my human body felt right. The soft pale skin seemed foreign to me, and I felt dwarfed almost in this form. I felt tired and weak here. 'This was not who I was', and that was the thought I kept having reoccur in my mind for a long time now.

Opening the hatch I slowly made my way out of it as I walked over to Jake's to wait for him while making a quick video log.

"It's hard to believe it had only been three months since this whole thing started. I can barely remember my old life. I can't remember anyone's faces anymore, and when I try to think of them the only thing I come up with is a Na'vi face with their features on it. I can barely remember any of the songs I used to sing. I have to play them on my Ipod now just to remember the lyrics. I feel like this isn't me. I feel like this here is a lie, a dream. I honestly don't know who I am anymore…" Realizing my words I buried my face in my hands as I tried to rethink what to say, but as I tried… I couldn't. It was how I truly felt. Reaching my hand to shut off the camera I found Jake getting out of his link bed. He seemed in worse shape than I was. I didn't even try to speak to him tonight. It just wasn't worth it. Standing up I made my way for the bathroom along with a clean pair of clothes and my toiletries.

Taking the long awaited shower I needed I stepped out, wrapped the towel around me, and looked at myself in the mirror. I was a ghost. I could barely recognize the face staring back at me. I kept waiting for my Avatar to suddenly show up in the reflection.

Forcing myself to finish up, I dried my hair, pulled it back into a high ponytail, and dressed into a pair of black booty shorts, and a dark blue tank. Walking out of the bathroom I headed straight for the fridge. Grabbing something without looking at it, I warmed it up and gobbled it up within six minutes, all the while watching Jake as he cleaned up as well.

Tomorrow morning we were to head back to Hell's Gate to check in. I'd still be linking with my avatar, it was just we had to reassure them we were still alive, and grab more supplies. Jake also had to check in with his boss, Colonel Miles Quaritch. A man I found I didn't like whatsoever.

I watched in peace as Jake finally shaved off his mountain man beard. When he was done he headed straight for bed, where I soon followed. Grabbing my IPod off the window seal I put the earphones in my ears and turned it on. Within moments the oldies from way back in 2010 began to play. Finding a familiar song I let it play as I whispered the words to Civil Twilight's 'Letters from the Sky.' When the trailer finally went completely dark, and Grace herself headed to bed I still remained awake. I didn't want to fall asleep, not because I was afraid of the nightmares returning. No, it was just the mere fact that tomorrow we'd be returning to civilization; a place I had grown apart from within the time I had stayed here. It was also a place I didn't want to return to.

Sliding off my bunk bed I walked over to Jake's. Lifting his covers I slid in next to him as it stirred him awake. "You okay," he mumbled through half-lidded eyes. Shaking my head he whispered, "Nervous." Nodding he replied, "You're not the only one." Wrapping his arms around me he allowed me the rare comfort he'd hadn't even given when we were children. Usually I would have jumped into bed with Tommy when I couldn't sleep or I'd have a nightmare, while Jake usually slept right through my cries peacefully. Yet here he was tonight letting me cuddle up next to him as I drifted off to sleep. We had changed so much. We were so different. How we were going to deal with returning to human life I had no idea.

Hope you liked it. It took me a long time to get written. I bet some of you loved the Sage part, especially the part where Mia punched Atan'eko too. Go Team Tsu'tey LOL. I'll try to get another chapter up as soon as I can, and I promise you there will be more to it. In the meantime I hopped this satisfied you a bit.

Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers-… EmyNegro… Archermusician… Diamond-Rose Sisters… xXchibitsukiXx… Ashley… and Som Skxawng

Also thanks to anyone who reads this story. You all are my inspiration among many other things.