Sitting alone I watched my father as he also sat in the exact same position as I. We both sat tall and erect, our right foot crossed over our right as our hands lay laced together in our laps. He knew I was there, watching him. I had never felt so ashamed.
Juxsta glared at me, hissing from time to time with absolute hatred but I ignored him and the others. He was locked away with the other male and female warriors, the once who had been the main attacking force in Reno'pali's plan.
The children and innocent hunters and women were allowed free after I had listened to their heartbeats whilst Jake and Neytiri interrogated them. Because of my acute hearing, I was able to tell when someone was lying and Neytiri only confirmed what I said when I picked out a liar among the innocent. We made a good team.
The baby was unhurt, thank Eywa, however Neytiri was weak still so she was always sitting down or sleeping to build up her strength whilst Jake always brought her the best cuts of food himself, making sure she was always comfortable and cared for her with the greatest love and care. There was also a chance the poison had affected the baby but everyone prayed to Eywa every day to spare the life of the little one.
Hopefully the antidote would have saved the baby too. Soon everyone was back on their feet and the water ran clean once again. However Jake still did not know what to do with these traitors. He had asked whether I would despise him if he did decide to have them executed.
I had told him that I could never despise him but should he come to that decision, I would not be there to watch. So Jake continued to think, often speaking with Neytiri about what to do. He was not a very spiritual person but I knew that he had gone to the Tree of Souls that very night to pray to Eywa to guidance. He had a good heart and did not want enjoy taking another Na'vi's life.
My father's eyes suddenly shifted and they rested strongly against mine, looking at me as if he could see. "You betrayed our people." He murmured.
"I did not. I saved my people." I answered in a dark tone as I fixed my glare on his. "You are nothing to me now. The Ranuri clan has been dead for so many years, I was never truly a part of it. The Omaticaya brought me into their home and showed me everything there is to love and live. They are my clan now. The prophecy has passed. I delivered them from the suffering of poison and tyranny."
"You betrayed me, your father." I could not argue with him there. For this I had no answer because he was right. I had betrayed my own blood. His words drove the sharp knife deeper into my heart as I continued to watch him. He was so still, so calm, yet he had spilled blood to remain empowered.
No doubt he would have spilled more. I had never seen my father so changed. I had always remembered him to be loving and warm, finding me pretty things to tuck away in my little nest where I slept. My young mind wept with despair as I realised my father truly was dead. This male before me was nothing he had once been, so I was truly alone.
No blood did I share with anyone, not a soul on this planet whom I could closely call family with proof of our bond. Neytiri and Jake were the closest I had to family, Keke and Norm close behind them. They were all I had left now.
Well, maybe not all. Tsu'tey was now recovered and although he was still weak he refused to slow down. He hunted and trained just like he had done before but I stayed out of his way to remain here where I watched the traitors of my old tribe glare and hiss at me.
Part of me wanted their scorn, to feel the rage and hear the curses and insults I deserved. I had done this to them, abandoned them as a child and now as a warrior, I deserved to feel their wrath. When the guards changed I remained, continuously watching my father as he watched me. Was there nothing I could do to ask his forgiveness or for me to forgive him?
Reaching up I touched the jade beads in my hair, the ones my mother had slipped into my braids as a child after my father had carved them for me. What should I do, Eywa? Do I plead for my father's release or do I allow him to return to my mother? I do not know, please guide me, mother.
I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, I was standing in the centre of my old village. Everything was the way it had been, the open walled tent where the elderly Tsahik always sat, teaching a much younger and prettier Reno'pali, the huts high up in the treetops, the ladders weaving from platform to platform, the fire crackling with life close to where I stood.
Everything was silent, not a soul was in sight, everything was silent. So silent. Silent and still, not even the fire made a noise. Turning slowly I saw my mother suddenly standing there, gazing at me with utter love.
"My daughter, you have been so brave. So brave and strong. I am proud of you."
"Mother, I betrayed them. I chose the clan whom adopted me over the clan who raised me." She shook her head, the red and purple beads in her hair clinking together as she stepped towards me and rested her gentle hands on her shoulders.
"You raised yourself, Anahera, my daughter. It was you who taught yourself the path of right from wrong, the path of kindness and compassion. You allowed yourself to learn from the forest who taught you how to live and listen." I listened to her beautiful voice, tears stinging my eyes as I pulled her to me and held her close. "Now you can let them go. The time of the Ranuri clan is over. They have been struggling for many years now but it is finally time for them to fade."
"But our music…what about our music?" I breathed. If the Ranuri clan faded then there will never again be music as beautiful as the stars and forest for none could ever sing, play or dance like the Ranuri could.
"The music will live on through you, Anahera, you only have to teach others." Wiping away my tears with her thumb she smiled down at me. "Your father's heart has been hardened and changed through the poison of the Tsahik's words and the hardships he has had to endure. You can let him go, let him come to me where he will finally return to the male I fell in love with and gave me you."
"Mother." I flinched with slight disgust and she chuckled richly.
"Let him come to me, only then will he forgive you." Nodding my head I looked down as she leaned forwards and kissed my head. "We shall watch over you and your children always."
"Children? I'm not going to have any children." I told her with wide eyes. "Am I?"
"Not yet, but you will." She assured me, holding my hands tightly before letting me go. Blinking I sat up, my arm uncurling from around my head. I was in a hammock and by the looks of things, it was dawn. Getting up I drifted down to where Jake and Neytiri were sat on the raised platform, sharing a meal together.
Seeing the joyous looks on their faces as they gazed at one another I turned away to leave them be. Instead I found Norm on my walk, taking more samples from the water, his tail twitching so I quietly stooped down and crept up to him.
Grabbing his tail I yanked on it, making him scream in fear and throw his equipment above him as he toppled into the water. Giggling I jogged forwards gracefully, catching the little handheld metal box with a handle in my hands then looked at Norm as he resurfaced.
"Ana!" He yelped, paddling back to the edge to haul himself out. "That was not fair!"
"But it was funny." I told him then held out his scanner. "Your box is flashing at me." Quickly taking it he read the screen then relaxed.
"It says the water is pure once again. I'm going to several different points in the water network to continue some tests, you want to come?" I nodded my head, lifting my bow.
"Someone has to make sure you do not end up viperwolf food." He looked slightly grateful. We walked together, Norm talking away and so I remained silent, glad for his enthusiastic distraction as he tested the water. Once he was satisfied the water was once again clean we returned to the clan. The most I had to deal with was untangling Norm from the vines he managed to walk into then get knotted up in. It took a while but we laughed about it afterwards.
Back home I stopped to admire the golden vines and leaves that bloomed proudly on the western quarter of the four trees, tilting my head to follow them all the way to the crown of Hometree. "You saved us all, you do realise that, right?" Norm said to me, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked at the vines also. Suddenly his attention wandered elsewhere and I looked at him then to the pretty woman he was staring at.
She was not a hunter, nor a warrior although she had passed her tests, she was a quiet and soft woman who helped in the healing pods. I knew her from when I had helped with the sickness, she was polite and kind but also very shy. It took me quite a while before she had plucked up the courage to actually talk back to me in conversation. Her name was Rita. Norm swallowed as he blushed deeply.
"Why don't you go and speak to her?" I asked and he yelped.
"Huh?" He blinked himself awake. "Who?"
"Rita." He frowned then his eyes widened.
"Is that her name?" I slapped a hand to my forehead then nodded.
"Yes, Normspellman. If you like her that much, go and say hello." Giving him a gentle shove I tried to help him forwards but he only tripped over his own feet. Leaping back up he shook his head.
"No, no, I don't think I should. She looks busy." Looking over at her she was only gathering some small plants for the healing herbs. Rolling my eyes I whipped out my knife and slashed a clean cut across his arm.
He cried out in shock, yanking away from me so I cut him again across his chest, just above his left nipple. "Why did you…?" I grabbed his wrist and hauled him over to Rita who blinked up at me with pretty dark blue eyes. She smiled, blushing as Norm stammered.
"I see you sister." Bowing my head to her I let go of Norm's wrist.
"I see you." She answered in the softest of voices. As Norm tried to creep away I grabbed his neck, gripping tightly as he whimpered and tensed, trying to arch away from my grip as I pulled him back around. "My friend, Normspellman, has managed to get hurt whilst we were training. Will you help him please, sister?"
"Yes of course, sit down brother and I shall tend to your wounds." As he did so I leaned up on my toes and whispered in his ear.
"Just be yourself."
"Huh?" He squeaked so I pushed on his shoulders, forcing him to sit down before Rita who blushed but leaned forwards, gently inspecting the wounds. I left them to have some privacy, smirking to myself at my own genius.
Walking back into Hometree some of the clan parted, bowing their heads in respect to me so I gave them all tender smiles and reached out to touch them, assuring them that I was nothing to be so formal towards. They relaxed.
"Big sister!" Keke flung herself into my arms and I smiled as her feather fluttered by her ear. I lifted her up and spun around, stopping to nuzzle noses with her in greeting. "I see you."
"I see you, little sister. How are you? Are your bruises still hurting?" Keke had fought with one of the Ranuri children on the night of the attack. He was the one to come off worse.
"No, big sister, I am proud of them!" Her bright little smile made me grin back at her as she buried her face into my flat stomach and hugged me tightly. "But he still calls me all sort of horrible names, will you tell him that he is the one who deserves to be thrown into a palulukan pit?"
Chuckling I ruffled her hair then crouched before her, looking intensely into her eyes. "Little sister, you should be setting the example to these new children by being kind, gentle and patient with them. It is the mark of a great warrior who shows respect to their enemies."
My words melted into her skin as she pondered them deeply for a while. "You should try and be friends with these children, Keke, they have never had a proper home before or other friends other than each other. Perhaps you should get some of the others to show them the waterfall and go for a swim?"
"Yes! I shall do that. Thank you big sister, you are very wise." With that she ran off, yelling for her friends to come and help her make the new guests feel welcome. Smiling with pride I watched her race off before continuing forwards.
Instantly I knew that Jake had made his decision. His face was grim as he turned to face me, trying to form the words on his mouth as Neytiri stood beside him, one hand on his shoulder and the other on her belly.
"Ana, I should tell you. I've come to a decision. All the traditions and laws are clear…I'm so sorry." I lifted a hand to silence him then smiled gently, reaching forwards to touch his shoulder and Neytiri's hand.
"I understand, leader, I do not blame you. My spirit is ready to let them go but my eyes could not bare to watch. May I have your permission to not be present?" Jake looked to Neytiri before nodding after she had given her consent also.
"You may." Sighing softly I moistened my lips then gripped tighter onto them both.
"Please, just make it painless and quick? For me?"
"They shall feel no pain. Do not worry. Now go. It will happen at sunset so do not return before then." Nodding my thanks I bowed my head to them respectfully before racing to find Palu who had returned the other day with Tornado.
Calling out she soared under the branch so I leaped off, landing accurately on her back before soaring upwards, spiralling into the sky as we flew away into the clouds. This time flying did not take away my troubles. My heart remained heavy and the cold stung my tear filled eyes as I lowered my head, guided Palu towards a floating mountain then landed, swallowing the hard lump in my throat.
The gentle aroma of flowers filled my nose as I walked through them, their soft petals brushing comfortingly against my thighs as I headed towards the small mound of earth with a gaping mouth, inviting me in to rest and hide away until it was all over.
Palu flew off, hearing the call of other ikran nearby and my heart fell heavier as she left me. I did not want to be alone now, not when I needed comfort the most. I was about to call her back when I heard the strong wing beat of another familiar ikran, Jaxxeris.
Suddenly Tsu'tey's strong, alluring scent reached me and I gasped, standing as I hurried out the cave to see him. He dismounted from Jaxxeris who flew off after Palu and he came to me, seeing my tear stained face his ordinary scowl softened with a sigh.
"Ana…" He murmured and held out a hand to me. I leaped onto him, sobbing my heart onto his shoulder as the sun began to set. "It's alright. I'm here. You're not alone anymore." This was the first time we had spoken properly since I had forced his heart to start beating again.
He chuckled softly. "You really do not want to let me go, do you?" He was referring to how tightly I was holding him as I cried. "You saved my life Ana." His voice was husky and I almost whimpered as a familiar fire began to spark in my belly and chest, warming every inch of my body.
"You had the stupidity to die." Snapping my fangs at him he only chuckled and I was drawn to the sound, hearing him growl softly in his throat as he continued to hold me. I felt him stoop down and suddenly my feet were swept out from beneath me.
Staring at him I did not complain but I wasn't too pleased either. He looked at me with an equally challenging look as my tail twitched in annoyance before slowly curling around his strong thigh. He sat down in the mouth of the small cave, the rocks built up high as we floated with the mountain.
He settled me between his legs, pulling my back into his chest as we turned towards the sun and watched his sink lower and lower to the ground. When the rim graced the line of the horizon I gasped softly, tensing as Tsu'tey turned to look at me. "It will happen soon."
"You do not have to be strong in front of me, Ana, if you need to weep I will hold you." Blinking a tear streaked down my face at his soft words. Shaking my head I sighed.
"My mother visited me in my dreams. She said it is alright to let go." His arms tightened around me in a comforting gesture so I leaned back into him, my tail curled around me as I gently brushed the feathery end along his leg. With every passing moment I could feel my stomach tighten and the burning sensation fill me as I began to grow nervous at his touch, one hand gently smoothing up and down my arm as he watched the sun sink towards the horizon.
Neither of us spoke for fear of ruining the perfection of the moment, spoiling the enchantment. The beautiful cries of ikran and the soft rumble of crashing water falling from a higher mountain filled our ears as the blooming sun began to close away. I have always loved sunset and sunrise, they always brought me peace.
Once the sun had finally sank out of view I lowered my head and let out the breath I had been holding, grateful for Tsu'tey's tight grip on me as I went limp. "It's done."
"Ssh…" Tsu'tey soothed, lifting a hand to touch my shoulder, one finger brushing against the messy knot of my hair. "Just rest."
"Tsu'tey." I murmured his name then twisted to look at him with my large silver orbs. "Please do not die again." He smirked but nodded his head.
"With you nearby, I could not even if I wanted to." A small smirk twitched on my lips as the forest and flowers began to glow warmly. He was bathed in this serene glow and I was once again enchanted but his deep expression and golden eyes.
Quickly I turned around to avoid his gaze. "Why did you fall from the sky?" I asked him after a moment I felt him shift a little behind me but then I felt his head lean closer to mine.
"I had a dream." He whispered to me and shuddered slightly at his seductive purr which rumbled in his chest. "Eywa showed me the path to fly and so I took it. She showed me a dark land by day and a bright forest by night filled with simple beauty. Then I saw a figure, standing over me as I lay down. In the dream I could not see their features, only the brilliant silver of their eyes." With a small gasp I pulled away from him as the feeling inside me almost became too much to bear. Was he talking about me?
"Eywa encouraged me to fly to this place and so I obeyed, curious." He followed me outside, prowling like a predator with a low growl and a little smirk on his lips as I turned to face him, trembling slightly although it was not cold. "Jaxxeris carried me all the way but then Toruk came flying from the low clouds, knocking us apart so we fell to the ground." Swallowing he approached me but I cautiously stepped around him, retreating slowly and nervously as I listened to him.
"I remember pain, a lot of pain but little else as I lay there on the ground, bleeding. Only Jaxxeris's cries awoke me and I tried to reach him, sensing danger was close by. Everything was a strange blue, nothing ever stayed in one shape as I followed the sounds of my frightened ikran. It was only then I realised that there was a palulukan watching us." He stopped moving towards me so I froze also, staring at him as he gazed at me.
"I drew an arrow and tried to shoot at the hunter but my shot simply bounced off its thick hide without so much as a scratch of damage. The tail whipped out and knocked me aside easily and I was stunned, the shock knocking me out momentarily but when I was able to open my eyes, I saw this blurred shape on the back of the palulukan, its angered cries filling my ears."
"Tsu'tey." I whispered as he took a small step towards me. I did not retreat.
"The image shifted in and out of focus. I finally managed to see a young huntress defending my ikran and myself against the palulukan. The next thing I know I was waking up to see brilliant silver eyes looking down at me, just like in my dream." Another step and he was closer.
"Once I was fully awake, she was there again. I instantly knew she was the one Eywa had intended for me to find. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen in my entire life. Nothing I could think of could compare to the radiant beauty she was as she held me down with strong fingers." He was so close now I could hear his heartbeat and feel his warm breath against my neck.
I stepped back but the distance between us never closed as he followed me, pushing me back until I felt the hard rocks touch me from behind. Jumping slightly a soft whimper left me and Tsu'tey growled. "From that moment on, I knew I was destined to be with her. I claimed her for my own the moment I had revived my senses from the shock this female had spiralled me into. Whether she knew it or not she was mine and mine alone."
"Tsu'tey…" His chest touched mine as his hands slowly reached up and curled around my upper arms, leaning his head towards me. Suddenly he was tense and his breaths became harder, deeper as he tried to control his anger.
"I trained her. Protected her. Taught her everything I knew but then she fell in love with that…" He swore harshly and I flinched, knowing he was talking about Kakeon. "She destroyed me to the core every time I saw them together. I wanted to tear him to pieces every time he touched her, kissed her but, but…" He sighed, calming himself finally so he continued to look into my eyes. "But she seemed so happy, so I let her go."
"Tsu'tey please…" I begged, wanting him to end this torture but he silenced me with a soft growl and rested his brow against mine.
"She saw sense though, thank Eywa, she left him and returned to being just mine. Her beauty and strength only ever seemed to grow in my eyes as I watched her carefully and in secret, unsure about how to tell her how much she caused this burning pain in my chest every time I looked at her." I know how that feels, please Tsu'tey, just end this distance between us…
"I was going to do it but then her clan returned. Knowing that she would go with them I once again let her go, thinking she would rather be with her true family than with me and the clan who adopted her." He gave me an amused look, a wide smug smirk as he pulled back from me slightly. "But she surprised me. She chose to remain here. However before I could confess my feelings to her, I fell ill from the poison and the next thing I knew, I was looking at Eywa's gaze." My breath caught in my throat and my hands darted up to grip his arms, my chest heaving against his as I tried to control this feeling that seemed to only swell within me.
"She offered me peace, offered me the chance to see my parents again but then I heard a voice, the most beautiful voice in the entire world. My beloved little warrior was singing. Eywa allowed me to listen and it moved me until I could no longer think, only listen." He had heard me singing? "Once the song was ended I felt hollow and empty like a shell but Eywa beckoned to me, telling me it was time so I followed her obediently."
A soft growl rose in my throat as my eyes flashed possessively at him. He was the one thing Eywa could not have. I refuse to allow her to have him. Not yet. "But then I heard the voice again, this time it was screaming. She cursed and insulted me in every way possible until I felt this pain in my chest, here." He gripped my hands and placed them against the very spot I had pummelled my fist into his chest to start his heart again.
"Using her voice as my guide I turned away from Eywa and returned, knowing that I could not leave her behind so soon." He breathed deeply, eyes locked on me. Only me. "Ana…Anahera…"
"Tsu'tey." His voice rolled easily off my tongue as he pressed himself against me, closing the gap between our bodies as his hands slid to my waist. We gazed at each other for a long time before Tsu'tey finally looked up to my hair.
His hands left my waist, leaving them cold but I did not complain as he slowly untied my hair. The loose strands fell free and tumbled down my back. I had forgotten how long my hair was, it brushed against the small of my back as it framed my face in silky sheets of black.
Tsu'tey shuddered with a breath and he purred, the sound rumbling deep within his chest as I purred in answer, closing my eyes as his fingers ran through my hair. "I did not think you could look any more beautiful." His seductive growl undid me and I moaned, parting my lips before grabbing his neck and pulling him down to me.
This kiss was unlike any other I had ever shared before. I actually liked it, no, I loved it. Our lips melted together easily as if crafted to be perfectly matched. His firm, warm and soft mouth leaned into mine, slowly moving as I stepped closer, closing any space there had been between us and his arms gripped me to him tightly as we both groaned, tilting our heads to reach each other better.
His strong hands did not repulse me, in fact I wanted him to touch me everywhere I had never allowed Kakeo to go near. Needing his hands on me I began to slowly move mine down Tsu'tey, touching his back, arms and the side of his legs as my tail swayed from side to side.
Our mouths opened as one and his tongue gently touched my lower lip, seeking entry so I welcomed him, slipping my own tongue into his mouth to fight for dominance with his. As our battle raged our kiss intensified, growing more heated and passionate as we greedily drank each other in, every taste, sent and sensation as Tsu'tey gripped my head with one hand and pushed against the rocks with the other.
Both of our knees seemed to collapse and we knelt on the ground, still locked in each other's embrace as Tsu'tey began to growl possessively, sharing my breath as I continued to purr quietly. Baring my fangs I nipped at his lower lip and his growl intensified as he pulled my hips closer to him and pulled away to bite my swollen lips with his own fangs, pulling the gasp from me as he lowered his head to my neck, nipping the soft skin then sucking on it hungrily as I leaned into his shoulder, running my tongue over the taut muscles.
Suddenly wanting more of him I pushed against his shoulders and swung my leg over him, straddling his waist before shifting further down, my eyes locked on his before I lowered my head to his muscular abdomen and began to tease and kiss the tense muscles until he relaxed, groaning darkly as I gripped around one thigh with both of mine, shamelessly pressing myself against him.
"Ana slow down, you're making it harder to stop." He growled softly at me as I smoothed my hands over his chest, tracing every line until I had them memorised in my mind.
"Who says I want to stop?" Whispering huskily to him with a seductive purr he groaned again then tossed me onto me back, rolling to hover above me.
"Perhaps tonight is not the best time for this, Ana, please try and think."
"Tonight is no different from any other night, Tsu'tey. I know what it is you are trying to say and it is only serving to making me want you more. I need you Tsu'tey. I…I love you." Blinking he went very still, a look of disbelief on his face as he stared down at me. Had I gone too far? Was he not ready to hear that yet?
When he attacked my mouth with a lusty growl those thoughts were instantly washed away as I welcomed him into my arms. Our tails curled around one another as I ran one leg up and down his. "Ana, my Ana…" He breathed and I whimpered at the sound, heat flooding through me. "You are mine. You've always been mine."
"Yes." I gasped as his fingers began to work the laces of my chest garment. "Yes Tsu'tey I'm yours. All yours."
"Mine." His teeth nipped my ear gently, pulling on the lobe as I arched into him, freeing my back so he could reach the ties far more easily as I slipped his knife, collar and other decorations from his body. "What do you want, Ana? Tell me."
"You, Tsu'tey, I want you." Blinded by the heat and passion he lay on me I could only answer in shaky breaths. "Don't you want me?" Teasing him I wriggled beneath him as if to get away but he snatched me closer.
"I want you Anahera, my Ana." He abandoned the ties at my back to rest his hands on the ground to support his weight as he leaned towards my ear. "I love you." That was the final straw. My expert fingers dragged the chest garment from my body and Tsu'tey pulled back to gaze at me as I pushed him off my and undid the loincloth, revealing every inch of my skin to him in the bright but soft gleam of the flowers around us, sheltering us completely as the towered over our heads as we lay down.
Tsu'tey simply gazed at me, his eyes drinking in my form as I shifted closer, leaning over him to take away the last garment that separated me from him. His hands reached up and cupped my face, gently kissing me again as he pulled back his passion.
His hands brushed against my bare breasts and I gasped but I held back his hand then reached for his braid. The sensitive touch made him shudder as I ran it through my hand all the way to the end before I looked at him. Rolling to straddle his waist I looked down at him. "Tsu'tey, are you sure it is me you want to share your life with?" Narrowing his eyes he grabbed his braid and lifted himself up onto his elbows, holding his part of the bond to me.
Not wasting a second I connected mine to his. Brilliant jolts of electricity raced through my spine and I cried out, arching backwards as Tsu'tey groaned, his head falling back onto the soft grass as I felt his mind bond with my own.
Memories flashed before my eyes and tears sprung to my eyes at their beauty, seeing his mother and father, his boyhood, his training and first flight, I saw the war and the eye of Eywa and…myself. I was a constant recurring memory, smiles tossed over my shoulder, my first kill, flying beside him, my back and swishing tail as he chased me through the trees, my eyes as he leaned towards me as I was pressed into the rock and the feeling of my lips on his as I lay beneath him.
Both of us grunted and moaned as the burst of unity spread over us. It took a moment before our minds were once again back in control. Gently Tsu'tey reached up and rolled me onto my side, his arms wrapped around me as I breathed deeply. His eyes were glassy with tears.
"Your life…it's so tragic." Silencing him with a kiss I pulled him on top of me. Defiantly I clicked my fangs together as he pulled back to look at me, a rush of love forming both ways of our bond as we gazed at one another.
"Not anymore."