When I heard the soft gasps and whispers of my new clan suddenly twitch at my ears I looked up, left the pile of bows I was helping to mend before following the crowds, pushing my way gently through as they stared at something. Getting closer I could hear Jake talking to a strange scent I did not recognise.
Finally as I broke free and stood before the clan a little behind Jake, my eyes widened and I went perfectly still. The hunters of the Ranuri clan looked at me and went still also. Jake looked back at me then stepped to the side as slowly, I began to walk forwards.
One male, old and grey and blind, lifted his head as he sniffed the air. "Anahera?" His frail voice and tears streaked down my face as I stood before him. He was so frail, so weak looking, nothing like the man I had once known.
"Father." I whispered then lifted his hands to his face as he began to cry silently also. He mapped out my features, smiling serenely.
"You look just like your mother did." He murmured to me and a soft sob left me as I gripped his hands tightly. I could not understand how this could be. My clan was alive and my father was here! Chocked up on emotion I went into his arms, tears streaming down my face before I pulled away and gazed upon these unrecognisable faces that I should know.
"Father, Jakesully is the leader of the Omaticaya People. He has taken me in when I believed there was no one else left of our clan." I explained to him.
"Morning, noon and night be with you, my friend." My father, Hasanmi, nodded to Jake who answered.
"I see you." There was a little silence before the Ranuri Tsahik stepped forwards, looking coldly towards Neytiri before prowling around me. She looked me up and down, musing quietly to herself as she murmured under her breath, her dark purple beads clicking around her neck and wrists as they wound their way up her arms like vipersnakes. I watched her carefully, my eyes never leaving hers as she felt my messy, knotted bun, ears, tail, hands and shoulders.
"She is strong, Hasanmi. She will make a good mate for my son." Instantly I flared up against her. How dare she waltz in here and assume she can direct my father, the new chief of the clan, that he should promise his daughter to his son.
"I am a match for no one!" Snarling at her I stood back beside Neytiri who placed a hand on my shoulder protectively. "Father, where have you been? What are you doing here?"
"We are here for sanctuary." He answered in a soft voice. "My daughter, you have no idea how happy I am Eywa has blessed me with your return. Dance with us tonight in celebration."
"We shall all dance. You will rest and eat here under the shelter of Hometree." Jake informed him and called out the order to the people who instantly began to prepare for the feast.
"It would be an honour to join you, Jakesully." My father said. "Come my daughter, we have much to discuss. Ranuri clan, aid these good people however you can." He commanded then drew me to him, tucking my hand into the crook of his elbow then led me with shaky but determined steps.
I brought him to a quiet part of the glade then sat down with him, still crying softly with joy. I had known him to be my father the moment I had seen him, for he still wore the seashell necklace that my mother had made for him the day they mated.
He told me of their life after the monsters had attacked, they had roamed through forest to the sea then to the desert and around until finally returning. He had believed me dead for all these years just like I had believed he was. Never in my life had I felt so happy.
In the Ranuri clan, the Tsahik and Olo'eytkan did not necessarily have to be a mated pair which was why my father had never taken another mate after my mother had been killed. We talked for hours and hours, about each other and adventures until the darkness had come and the feast was beginning.
"Come father, it is time for the dance!" Excitement settled over me as I helped him back to Hometree. The roaring fire burned in my eyes as I sat my father with Jake then hurried to join in the ring of my people who were about to dance for the Omaticaya.
It was wonderful to dance with my people, hearing their feet drumming against the ground unanimously with each of us calling out to one another, without meaning to I began to sing. The Ranuri musicians followed my lead, playing as I danced with a young girl then weaved in and out of the pairs.
The people were in awe of our dancing for we were once renowned for our grace, agility and beauty in our form. Combined with the numbers of the Omaticaya people, it was one of the greatest nights in my life.
However a shadow loomed over me the entire evening and I could not shake the gaze of the Tsahik, Reno'puli, her heated glare always my companion. I hid behind Neytiri, who was steadily becoming rounder with child and she glowed with pride, as did Jake, who rarely stepped out of arm's reach from her.
Everything was perfect as I danced and sang until I flopped down, exhausted. Several children, Ranuri and Omaticayan, pounced on me, begging me to sing for them so I obliged as they led their own dance. My father named me the best Ranuri singer he had ever heard which made me glow with a warm pride.
Reno'pali stepped into my way as I swung two children around in my arms, making me stop and politely apologise to her. "Child, this is Juxsta, my son." My eyes narrowed as a stocky male came and stood beside her, glaring with the same eyes as his mother, pale grey and deadly.
"It is an honour to meet you."
"You will become his mate tonight and you shall conceive a son, I have seen it. Now go and do Eywa's will." She spoke with such authority that when I refused her with a yell and curse, she actually stared at me in shock. "You shall obey me, child! I am Tsahik of your clan!"
"Actually, I am." Neytiri said, stepping out in front of me as she lifted her head, glaring evenly at Reno'pali. "Anahera completed her tests and is a fully accepted clanmate before she ever made her acceptance as a warrior into your clan. Therefore, she must abide by our laws and customs, which means she has every right to refuse your command. Anahera, do you wish to mate with this…male?" Looking with disdain over the male who bristled and snarled, twisting his already ugly face into a hideous picture I shook my head.
"No."
"Then you may go." Turning I quickly left, grateful that Neytiri had come to save me. My father was oblivious so I sighed and relaxed. When I sensed the male coming after me, I hurried to lose myself in the thick throng of crowds.
Suddenly gently hands were about my waist and I spun around to face the male holding me, turning me to pull me into the dance. "Stay with me. He will leave you be." Tsu'tey whispered so quietly and huskily in my ear, his lips barely brushing, I could only nod dumbly as he took my hands then spun me around elegantly, lifting me up in the air as I continued the steps.
We danced with one another, a small softness to his eyes as our eyes never left one another. He was such a perfect dancer, the way his muscles moved so flawlessly with grace and control, I almost felt like a rock next to him as I lost myself in his eyes. "He is gone." Tsu'tey said as the dance finished, standing before me but neither of us moved.
"Yes." I nodded my head then reached up to wipe the sweat from my brow. "Thank you." He inclined his head to me then went to walk away. "Tsu'tey wait!" I called, switching to the English tongue so that less people would hear us. "Dance with me again?" He considered my offer then smirked, nodding his head.
"Only if you can keep up." I flared at his challenge with a grin, lowering myself down into a defensive crouch. At my move people began to fall back, whispering as I faced Tsu'tey and slowly began to move my hands in watery motion, smoothing them as if caressing the air.
The musicians instantly began to pluck their strings and tap out the slow, steady rhythm. I was challenging Tsu'tey to a dance and he knew very well. My arms waved over my head as I delicately arched backwards, lifted a foot then balanced perfectly on my toes, turning slowly until finally, there was silence.
All at once I sprung forwards with the new pulse of quick drumbeats and desperately quick music as it pounded with my heart. I kicked up and flicked, turned and twisted until I faced Tsu'tey in a daring position, half pulled back as I stretched every limb.
He smirked then began to move like Eywa had shaped him herself. He powerfully swept across the area that had been cleared for us, the males cheering him on as he finished with a rolling leap then looked to me. I smirked then answered.
This went on for a long time, me answering his fiery, strong movements like a trickle of water, gradually gaining climax until we were moving together at the same intensity. I leaped up and Tsu'tey caught me, swinging me around before twisting me up and I balanced on his hands, pausing for effect as everyone gasped.
Pointing my toes I looked down at Tsu'tey with a playful grin then flipped down, swinging my leg across as he barrel leaped over me. Everything was fast and a blur as we moved as one, neither of us knowing who was leading and who was following as we stood side by side, dancing until finally, there was a crash as the great drum was sounded which lasted as Tsu'tey and I stared at one another, both of us panting and sweating wildly as he leaned over me, one hand on my back as I sat back on my knees, hair tracing the floor as we stayed in place.
When the bellowing roar of the crowds cheering and hooting awoke us, Tsu'tey lifted me up and set me on my feet. He clapped my shoulder, gave me a nod then walked away. I watched him go as Neytiri joined me, grinning from ear to ear. "It's been years since anyone has challenged him! Well done sister."
"It was fun." I smiled at her, sitting down and ate some food.
"I was thinking about your two new problems, Kakeo and Juxsta, perhaps we should introduce them? You never know, they might end up killing one another and then you'll be free to mate with Tsu'tey." I spluttered on my drink as she said that.
"Sorry?" She winked at me as she rubbed her belly. "Neytiri! You know he does not feel for me that way. He thinks I am a child at best and looks down on me like one."
"You would be surprised if you actually took the time to look rather than see. Try it, sister, the results will strike you speechless." So, with her words in mind, I did just that but not tonight. Right now, I was celebrating the return of my clan.