Disclaimer: "Avatar" is not mine. A big thank you to everyone who has commented or this story to their favs, it is greatly appreciated :) -Fallon.
Neytiri sat behind Ma'tirea, helping her put the beads in her braided hair. Having finally been convinced by a determined Neytiri to add a few hand carved decorations to her hair, she sat happily watching her transformation in the waters' reflection. Ma'tirea tied on the necklace Rina'rey had given her, made of polished stone it was a beautifully crafted gift. Since she had told Tsu'tey the reason for her lack of decoration the day before, she had been wondering if the time for mourning was over. It had been days since her last dream about the hometree falling and she finally felt like the memory wasn't haunting her.
"I felt guilty for living when they didn't..."
"Many went to Eywa that day...do not let loosing your parents hold you back from living sister."
Ma'tirea nodded to her friend. It was a loss every clan member had felt no matter their age. Neytiri knew exactly how she was feeling, having watched her father die in her arms, which made what she said mean even more. Neytiri handed her a fresh set of clothing which she took, eager to have the clean fabric on her. Ma'tirea slipped on the new loincloth she had made and a leather reinforced top which bound her tightly while remaining low-cut enough to expose her cleavage. Overall the clothing was easy to move in but showed her single status.
"Do not be sad any longer sister."
"Thank you Neytiri, for everything." She said to Neytiri; who strapped a simple armband over her forearm. Neytiri smiled warmly at her friend and bid her farewell as she ran off to meet with Tsu'tey.
"Sister, wait!" a familiar voice called from behind her.
She stopped in her tracks and turned to see Rina'rey running to catch up with her. Rina'rey had passed the test not long ago and now had an ikran of her own, a beautiful male she called Tseokrr. "I see you Rina'rey."
"And I see you sister! I know you have training today but after Normspellman and I will go flying, will you come with us? You may ride with Normspellman as his bond with his ikran is not as new."
Ma'tirea was uncertain at first, but if she was going to ride on Normspellman's ikran than she didn't see a problem with it. "I will ride with you sister." Rina'rey embraced her quickly and thanked her before letting her continue on her way. She saw her teacher in the distance and grinned. He did not always say kind words to her and had yet to call her by name but she was determined that there was good in him.
"I see you Tsu'tey." She said as she approached him.
He looked at her strangely, having noticed the few beads in her hair. She nervously touched her hair. "I promised Neytiri no more sadness..." He continued to look at her in a way she had never seen before, not saying anything. "Should I take them out?" She began to try to remove the delicate bead without being too clumsy. Tsu'tey breathed out forcefully and quickly grabbed her hand, stopping her.
"I will teach you how to be affective with the dagger." He said nothing further about how she looked and she felt sort of...disappointed, like she wanted him to approve of her appearance. Ma'tirea sighed in frustration, telling herself it did not matter. Tsu'tey returned with training daggers and handed her one. She balanced the weapon in her fingers and was impressed by it's craftsmanship. He demonstrated simple moves on the target before letting her attempt.
She bared her teeth and thrusted, digging the blade into the target and slashing downwards. After a few more slashes he was satisfied enough to tell her to try to attack him. "Teacher?"
"I assure you; you will not hit me. Now attack me."
Ma'tirea moved and brought her blade up. She had barely made her move when he took her feet out from under her and sent her flying. "Again!" He demanded and she forced herself up from the ground, her anger building.
She sighed and attacked him, bringing her blade down. Before she had time to process what was happening, he had her blade arm by her wrist and had forced her to drop the blade. The blade dropped and Tsu'tey flipped her effortlessly to the clearing beside him. She landed on her feet, which was impressing considering she had been disarmed. "Not bad female, remember true enemies will move, they do not stand there like the target. Now try again." Tsu'tey was actually quite impressed, though he would not show it yet. Perhaps her talent was with the dagger.
She grabbed the weapon and stared down her teacher. She moved again and he grabbed her wrist again but was unable to make her drop it. Ma'tirea allowed her frustration to take hold and pushed against him, rising her elbow towards his stomach. She grabbed his arm and used every ounce of strength in her to send him flying over her. He silently landed on his feet and faced her. "Very good."
Trying to catch her breath, she nodded her thanks to her teacher. The weapon had felt right in her hand somehow and the rush from attacking him was all-consuming. She flipped the dagger in her hand and looked at her reflection in the blade. Transfixed with the blade she noticed Tsu'tey leap at her at the last moment, his dagger poised. "Pay attention!"
Grunting she twisted backwards to move out of the daggers' path. She lunged forwards, tackling the warrior and sending them both rolling into the trees. Tsu'tey managed to get his footing and stop, leaving her laying on the ground with her back to him a few feet away. Finding his dagger quickly, he rushed over to see if she was alright. Kneeling, he touched her arm and gently turned her over only to find her in an uncontrollable fit of laughter. He frowned and withdrew his hand as she stood.
"Oh come now Tsu'tey, won't you laugh...even a little?" She prodded happily as Tsu'tey brushed the dirt from his shoulders, avoiding looking at her. She controlled her laughter enough to brush a muddied leaf from his hair. He glared at her but refrained from saying anything. Her laughter faded but her smile did not and Tsu'tey found himself pulled in by her excited and expressive jade colored eyes. He huffed, stubborn as ever and headed back towards the clearing. He heard her run to catch up to him, slowing as she walked beside him. As the re-entered the clearing, Tsu'tey noticed a group of male hunters had appeared and that most were looking at Ma'tirea. She heard a low growl and turned to face Tsu'tey, noticing him glare at the males ahead.
Ma'tirea ignored the group of males and saw Rina'rey running towards her with Normspellman in tow. She grinned and greeted her friends.
"We're leaving now, come sister!" Rina'rey spoke as she grabbed Ma'tirea's hand, pulling her onwards.
"Where are you going female?"
Ma'tirea turned and saw Tsu'tey had joined them. She tensed and swallowed hard, "Rina'rey invited me to go flying."
Tsu'tey shot a dirty glare at the mention of the loud female and then turned his gaze back to Ma'tirea. "You'll not go!" He said in a voice that was laced with anger.
"I did not ask your permission Tsu'tey..." She said calmly as she looked at him.
"Tsu'tey, she'll be fine, Ma'tirea will be riding with me since Rina'rey's bond is new-" Normspellman said as he stepped closer to Rina'rey and looked at Ma'tirea warmly. "I trust Normspellman teacher-"
"He is almost as clumsy as you female! You'll just get yourself killed."
"Do not say such things about my friends!" She balled her fist in anger as she tried not to cry.
"Tsu'tey, you want to protect her, I understand-" Normspellman was cut off by the furious growl from the warrior. "I don't give a damn what happens to the female! If she becomes a snack for the wiperwolves then Neytiri and Jake will have my head. The girl has been nothing but a pain since the beginning!" He pointed at her accusingly.
A loud smack echoed through the clearing, drawing nearby na'vi attention, which included the attention of Neytiri, Jake and Mo'at. Ma'tirea's hand stung and she only hoped Tsu'tey's face hurt more. He touched his cheek and glared at her. His glare immediately turned into a look of shock as he saw the tears running down Ma'tirea's face and neck. He realized then the weight of his words.
"I can't believe I actually cared about you..." Her words faded as her sadness shook her entire body violently. Turning she made eye contact with Neytiri who was standing with Jake and her mother near Rina'rey. Ma'tirea was sure they had heard the entire thing and was certain she had nothing further to explain when she saw the glare Neytiri was giving the silenced warrior. She turned and ran towards the hometree with Normspellman and Rina'rey close behind her.
Tsu'tey turned from the fleeing female to look at the others. Jake looked at him with a disappointment that made him feel small and Mo'at just shook her head sadly and walked away. Neytiri stood beside her mate and looked at him with a boiling rage he hadn't seen in a long time. "Stupid, stupid!" She muttered as she ran after Ma'tirea.
Neytiri found her as she was approaching Normspellman and his ikran. "Ma'tirea!"
She turned and was quickly embraced by Neytiri. "I am sorry my sister..."
Ma'tirea could only nod and smiled sadly to Neytiri as she mounted the ikran. She wrapped her arms around Normspellman's waist and looked down to Neytiri, tears still falling.