The next night I was jogging through the forest at my own leisure, humming a tune cheerfully as I ducked under the large leaves of a plant then stopped, sniffing the air but it was coming at me and I heard something from behind.
I turned and skirted around swiftly, using low branches to swing across to keep my tracks to a bare minimum. Climbing up I heard the creature approaching with soft and near silent footfalls. With a grin I climbed up to a branch and waited, keeping my body pressed low to the branch as Tsu'tey crept forwards, tracking the same animal that I had been following before giving up.
Secretly I bit my lip as I refrained from chuckling then all at once, I dropped from my perch and gave out a call as I fell. Tsu'tey whipped around but I was already on him. We crashed to the ground and I laughed, punching him playfully in the chest as I sat on him. "I got you."
"We are not playing this game." He growled at me and I grinned down at him, shaking my head to make my jade beads click and chime in my hair.
"Aw, come on Tsu'tey, can't you have a little more fun?"
"Your fun, as you call it, has probably chased off the deer I was hunting." He growled then shoved me off from straddling his waist. I rolled my eyes then touched a finger to my lips. I took his wrist and pulled him forwards, leading him to a small stream where the deer lay.
Tsu'tey went to draw an arrow but I stopped him, resting one hand on his and the other on his arrow shaft. "Look." I whispered. The deer, who had been searching around for danger, turned and called back into the bushes. A younger deer followed, barely older than a few months, treading carefully in his mother's footprints before lowering his head to drink from the river. "She is smart, covering her baby's tracks." I whispered as Tsu'tey sighed and lowered his arrow.
Being close to him again, barely an arrowhead apart, I felt my cheeks flush slightly so I looked away then silently crept from our little hiding place. I walked down the root of a tree to lower ground then jumped off, sniffing the air with a lifted head.
Finding nothing I walked over to the large flat rock that basked in the full intensity of the sun. I placed my bow down beside me, only recently having being carved from the wood of Hometree, then lay down to bathe in its warmth.
My tail curled happily in the sunlight, sweeping slowly over the warm rock as I listened to everything around me with a lazy smile on my face. "I know you are there Tsu'tey. You cannot hide from me." Tsu'tey approached finally, sliding down the tree root then joined my side.
"You looked peaceful, I did not want to disturb you." He told me softly, brushing his hand against my arm, making it tingle uncontrollably and I welcomed the feeling.
"Your company is always peaceful. Do not worry." I told him, never once opening my eyes. "You did not tell me you could dance so well."
"I do not dance often."
"You should."
"I do not." Smiling at his stubborn replies I turned, exposing my back to the sun as I turned my head to the side, resting it on my arms as the heat of the rock warmed my belly. "I heard about what little sister Keke said to you. Neytiri told me." Finally opening my eyes I looked up at him but he quickly looked away. "If he touches you, I shall cut off his hands."
"You will have to beat me to the blow, then." I answered simply, sitting up slightly to look at him properly. Tsu'tey glanced over to me and I frowned slightly as his eyes followed the arch of my back before looking away again. "Kakeo does not frighten me. I feel like a fool for ever believing the honey coated poison that left his lips."
"You were naïve." He shot at me. "But then you matured and saw your mistake. Thankfully not too late." I noticed he seemed a little tense, more so than usual as he glared out into the distance so I shifted closer and touched his shoulder. The moment he did so he pulled it away and my eyes flashed with hurt but I quickly narrowed them at him.
"What is wrong?"
"Nothing that concerns you." His bitter reply earned a low, quiet growl from me which he answered with a much deeper and scarier sound. Eyes narrowed I bared my top fangs at him then grabbed my bow, leaping elegantly off the rock to then stride away.
He was so infuriating sometimes! Oh I wish I could throw him from the top of Hometree. I stormed through the forest at a fast pace, scattering some stingbats and lemurs in my haste to return home. So wrapped up in cursing Tsu'tey, I did not see Kakeo until he had slammed into me.
With an outraged yell I bellowed as I rose back to my feet, turning on him but he had already grabbed my throat and slammed me into a tree. "You will be mine, female, one way or another." With that he reached for my queue and my eyes widened.
"No!" I screamed in fear and slammed my foot into his chest, tearing him from me as I gasped for air then cried out. "Tsu'tey! Tsu'tey!" I screamed as I whipped my bow around and smacked Kakeo in the face, splitting his lip.
Trying to run as I was no match in a fight with him, I bolted for the trees but Kakeo swung his own bow and caught my feet, felling me to the ground. He leaped over to me so I rolled, my bow falling from my hand as I drew a knife and snarled, baring my fangs at him as he crouched low.
We lunged at each other but I ducked, spinning around then slashed at his back, cutting deeply into his skin which made him howl in rage then spin to face me. All of Tsu'tey's training and I heard his voice snapping in my mind. "Do not stop moving, you are quick, gut underneath them."
Leaping up I pushed off the bark of a tree, slamming my foot into his face then turned swiftly, jabbing my elbow into his gut then slammed my fist upwards into his chin, blood spurting from his mouth as he bit through his tongue.
He rough hands grabbed my arms but I used his strength against him. As he held my hands I kicked backwards then flipped over my head, twisting free of him then swiped my foot, hooking his ankles then flung him to the ground, flexing my fingers on the hilt of my knife.
With a crash Tsu'tey leaped through the trees, bow ready as he ran in front of me then pushed me behind him, glaring at Kakeo who panted for air, bleeding from the various cuts I had delivered to him.
The two males glared at one another and Tsu'tey snarled, growling as he bared his fangs in warning. Finally Kakeo scrambled to his feet and ran away, grabbing his bow as he went. Letting go of the air I had been holding I relaxed, feeling my body slowly spiral down into weariness. That had been one intense fight.
"Are you hurt?" Tsu'tey demanded as he spun around to face me, grabbing my chin to make me look at him. Still too shocked to speak I shook my head. Relaxing Tsu'tey closed his eyes as he sighed. His strict fingers loosened against my chin and he ran his thumb over my jaw before letting go. "He tried to force you?"
"I gave him my answer, it will not change." I growled sharply in anger at Kakeo. "I'll tear him to pieces."
"You have already proven your strength, he will not try again." Tsu'tey tried to assure me but I snorted in disbelief.
"He will wait until I am off guard. Then he will try again. You do not know him, Tsu'tey, he is obsessive over that what he wants." Muttering darkly under my breath I rubbed my face with one hand then leaned against a tree. I felt sick, mostly because of what happened but also because Tsu'tey was still watching me with his intense golden glare.
When I looked back at him finally I saw him holding out a hand in invitation. "Come with me." He murmured softly, his eyes going doe-like with warmth so I did not hesitate to place my hand in his and lead me away.
It took a long time to reach the place Tsu'tey was taking me to, it was beginning to grow dark but it was definitely worth the running. The Tree of Souls stood with a pink hue in its flowing glory, the bright heat of the sun bathing it in a fiery plume that beamed out around it as the bioluminescence began to shine forth.
"It's beautiful." I whispered in awe as I walked forwards, my tail curling around one of the leaves before letting it slip through as I walked. As the night swept over us the beauty did not tint or fade. The glowing shade of subtle pink radiated softly like a warm caress as I walked around the tree.
Tsu'tey touched my arm then picked up his plait, the tendrils slipping free as he held it up to one of the vines. Copying him I watched as my tendrils wrapped deep into the vine and suddenly, I could hear voices.
Voices of all those in Eywa's care, their spirits flowing into me and I felt overwhelming peace wash over me. I breathed deeply, savouring the sensation as a voice came and whispered to me.
"Anahera…my daughter."
"Mother?" My throat tightened as I squeaked, my eyes widening behind their lids as I felt her presence beside me.
"I am proud of you, my child, so proud. Do not carry your burdens any longer. Give them to me. Let them go…" I heard her voice and suddenly, I could see her face in the reflection of the water. She was washing some animal skins and I was seeing through her eyes. A distant voice called and we both smiled as she looked up, seeing a young child racing towards her.
"Mother!"
"Anahera, my sweet." She welcomed the excited child into her arms, dropping the skins to the ground as she kissed my brow and gazed down at me with the same silver orbs. Unwavering love filled me as she gazed down at the younger version of myself. I could actually remember that time now, I saw myself looking up into her beautiful eyes.
"Let them all go."
"Yes mother." I whispered then relaxed my shoulders as I slowly forgave myself for the death of my clan. An even deeper peace rushed over me and I tingled all over as I felt a mother's love touch my soul before slowly, she pulled away with the promise of always being here for me.
"Anahera?" Tsu'tey murmured and I blinked myself awake, feeling his hand on my shoulder. "That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with me." I smiled with slight embarrassment, he had seen? I suppose if I had not wanted him to I could have blocked him out but…his mind was so calm and tranquil, barely a thought entered his head as he looked down at me.
It settled my own mind into a similar state as we simply looked at one another. "Thank you for bringing me here." I whispered back then reached up, touching his neck and brushed my fingers across his jaw. He tensed slightly and I felt his ordinarily calm heartbeat pulse a little louder so he pulled his queue from the vines and stepped away from me.
"We should go before it gets too late and the night hunters come out." Nodding in agreement I followed him willingly. I'd follow him anywhere.