Neytiri beamed as I brought back the kill, signalling for some hunters to take it away to be prepared for the people. I breathed deeply, tired but happy as she led me to sit down by a warm fire. I wriggled my toes close to the flames, arching my back to click it then tipped back my head, sighing softly.
Everyone was still buzzing with excitement, whispering about my fight with the palulukan and tossing me admiring looks. Honestly I just wanted them to go away. Upon hearing that my final tests were fast approaching, some of the male warriors and hunters began to watch me a little more closely and I hated it. I was grateful when Kakeo shot them all warning glares then stood possessively beside me.
Okay, maybe I wasn't so grateful for the latter, he followed me around like a shadow, even when I was training with Tsu'tey. We were practising my hand to hand combat when he called out at Tsu'tey, angrily informing him to go easy on his woman.
Both of us turned around to glare at him. "I am not your woman yet, Kakeo and I am more than capable of taking a few hits from my teacher. If you're only going to serve as a distraction then go." He blinked then glared hotly at Tsu'tey.
"If you hurt her, I will break you." He growled darkly as he stood. Tsu'tey twitched and hiss back ever so slightly. Sensing both males becoming a little too temperamental I lay a gentle hand on Tsu'tey's chest and he instantly stopped baring his fangs, looking down at me in surprise. "Kakeo, go. I shall see you later."
With a sharp flick of his tail and flash of his eyes he strode away. After a moment of watching him leave I realised I was still touching Tsu'tey's chest and he was looking at me still. I snapped it away, feeling a jolt shoot up my hand as I stepped back and lowered my head. "Forgive him, he is just a little overprotective since the incident."
"I understand however I no longer want him anywhere near you when you are training, female. Is that clear?" Nodding my head we set back to training. I was angry at Kakeo later but after a few honey laced words of persuasion I melted into his arms and forgave him again.
I was beginning to really hate the way he kissed me, grabby and possessively like I was merely a coveted item instead of a loved individual. So I kept him further away, not allowing him to hold my hand in public or touched me in intimate places and I definitely did not allow him to make me touch him where I did not want to. The first time he tried that was also the last. He had a bruise for a reminder.
My path to the ikran nests was long but I rode Hama and he kept us steady as we wound our way up the mountains. Kakeo had insisted on coming too so he rode behind me after Tsu'tey was finally persuaded. He was not happy about it and I wasn't either. He was becoming too obsessive, tailing me wherever I went, even when I wanted to bathe.
He was harsh and snappy at other males who barely glanced my way, threatening to kill them on the spot until I brought him back under control with a sharp command and firm shove. We ran and climbed up the winding stairway that led to the clouds.
As one passed I paused and reached out, clinging onto my vine with nothing beneath me for miles down. An instant death if I let go. Reaching out I ran my hand over the cloud and smiled as it felt strange and cool to the touch, running it through my fingers until Tsu'tey called down at me to keep up and Kakeo began to climb back down to get me.
Despite this I raced ahead, excited at the thrill of being so high and in such a dangerous place. Racing over the twisting roots that grounded one mountain to another I swung up, giving an exhilarated call to the others before racing away again.
I glanced back once and could almost have sworn I saw a glimmer of a smile on Tsu'tey's lips as he watched me but it was gone so quickly I almost believed I had imagined it. Almost. The mountains were soon thick with the cry of ikran and I felt their shadows overhead as I climbed up the last little stretch, barely panting before looking out with awe.
Nests filled ever crook and crack, ikran calling to one another as they flew in thick flocks, one streaking past the mouth of the waterfall where I stood behind, making me jerk backwards with a gasp into a solid chest.
I turned my head then blinked as Tsu'tey held me, gently supporting my weight as my shock caused me to forget to stand up. Blushing slightly we moved together, me standing up as he pushed me forwards but did not pull away until he had gently brushed his fingers against my upper arm.
Staring at the place he had just placed a small sign of affection I looked up at him but he was no longer paying attention to him. "Anahera, you can go first." Kakeo said to me. "Then we can fly back home together." He English was very broken and hardly understandable. He was trying to impress me.
"Kakeo, you will remain silent." Tsu'tey said to him. "Gy'nagara, you will go first." He said to a young male who nodded, puffed out his chest then followed Tsu'tey's lead. Before I could follow the other young hunters Kakeo grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him, backing me into the wall where he forced his wet mouth on mine.
It tasted rubbery and unpleasant as he tried to evoke an arousal from me but I was merely repulsed even further. I bit him, snapping my teeth at him when he jerked back. "Stop this! You are being too controlling. I will not be forced to do something I do not wish to. You have no control over me, Kakeo." He gazed at me with a soft smirk then hummed into my ear.
"Not long before you and I will be mated. Then you will have no reason to refuse." Somehow that made my stomach churn. Something was telling me I should listen to Tsu'tey and refuse him. I will have to speak to him later properly but for now, I need to focus on getting my ikran.
The male was already fighting with his ikran and he took several hits before finally being able to tame it. One by one the other hunters got their mounts until I was the only one left. "Kakeo, round up the other hunters and take them home." Tsu'tey suddenly demanded and Kakeo bristled.
"I will stay here." Tsu'tey rounded on him, baring his fangs and Kakeo instantly backed away, nodding his head. He called for his ikran, a large blue and black one, then flew into the skies. The moment he was gone my shoulders relaxed and I sighed with relief. "Thank you." I said to Tsu'tey who did not look at me.
"Find your ikran. Quickly." He tone was bitter and cold, something had hurt him so instead of doing as I was told, I went to him and cautiously reached out from behind to lay my hand on his shoulder. He inhaled deeply, as if calming his temper, then turned to me. His eyes were soft and tender as they met mine and a small smile rose to my mouth.
"Thank you for sending him away." I repeated then pulled my bola from my waist, striding forwards. I climbed up a few rocks, scattering many ikran as I searched for the mount that would be mine. I heard her coming at me from behind.
Whipping around I dove to the ground, narrowly missing her aim to throw me of the cliff but as she landed and made to turn around, I was already springing to my feet and leaping onto her back. The bola was flung out and I wrapped it around her jaw, snapping her mouth together so that I was not threatened by her razor sharp fangs then reached out for her queue.
She shook violently but I was used to riding palulukans, this was hardly anything to compare. Easily I snatched her half of the bond then joined it with mine, feeling her spirit suddenly flow to entwine with mine.
With a rush I saw a lifetime of memories flash before my eyes, from egg to present. This ikran was a beautiful shade of jade, her colours perfectly mottled as she stilled at my gentle command, panting for breath as I unlaced the bola from her mouth, dropping it down as I stroked her neck. "Easy now, you're mine and I am yours. We're now one." I whispered to her as I felt her heartbeat slowly quieten down to a steady pulse. Looking up Tsu'tey gave me a slow nod of approval. I beamed happily at him before he pointed to the sky, calling his own ikran.
Swallowing I called out three notes in song, signalling my wish to fly before my beautiful ikran leaped up and soared forwards into a dive. I cried out in shock, lunging forwards to grab her antennae then pulled her up steadily by gradually opening her wings.
Shrieking with joy I let go and balanced perfectly, soaring high above as the most thrilling experience I have ever tasted played before me, my eyes wide with joy as I spread my hands and leaned back into the wind, feeling it rush through my hair.
Tsu'tey called out to me and I looked around, flashing him a grin as I leaned forwards, adjusted my position then veered sharply to the right, joining him as we flew across the skies, skimming over the purple and pink clouds.
"Palu. I shall name you Palu." I whispered to her and she gave a soft cry of approval, her liking to the name shooting through the bond which made me beam all the more. When Tsu'tey signalled it was time to return I felt sad as I knew I would have to dismount Palu soon and I did not wish to. I would be happy to forever fly with her into the sun.
As the moons graced our wings with silver and our spots began to glow with the darkness, Tsu'tey and I landed. Breathing deeply I could not stop smiling. Hugging Palu's neck she purred at me and rubbed her head into me as Jaxxeris growled softly at her.
Her head whipped around and she hissed sharply before she rubbed her head into his too. Tsu'tey rolled his eyes. "Go on, off with you both." He snapped and they both snapped back at him, making him smirk as they took off into the moonlight.
"Tsu'tey?" I murmured, watching them go as I stood beside him. I felt him look at me in surprise as I called him by name but I did not pay attention to this. "Thank you."
"What for?" Turning to look at him I rested my hand on his shoulder, feeling the familiar jolt shoot up my hand when I did so and my stomach tightened suddenly. He was so beautiful, crowned in the basking light of the moon, shining off his features, softening their sharp edge until he seemed to almost smile.
"For teaching me." I answered then pulled back. "I will always be grateful to you." He watched me as I turned away and left, his eyes fixated on my back.
"Anahera." He called after me and I stopped, feeling a burning heat in my stomach as it twisted. He had spoken my name, finally! I turned to face him, blinking in the moon that shone down on him as the gentle glow of blue lantern pods gleamed behind me. "You have taught me as much as I have taught you. I will always be in your debt."
"Do not think of it as a debt, think of it as…how does Jake say? I owe you one." We both smiled and I was happy to see him smile. He looked far more handsome when he did so, especially with the gentle caress of silver on his mouth which lightened it all the more.
Blinking as I felt some unfamiliar feeling grow in my chest I turned and hurried gracefully away, my tail swaying with my hips.