Disclaimer: Of course "Avatar" is not mine and I have made every attempt to remain accurate to the world Cameron created. As many have noticed, I am not going easy on the characters. The challenges they face will only make the end reward all the more sweet and meaningful! Also, tsamsiyu means "warrior" in na'vi. Thank you all for your kind reviews and the lovely hits and favs, I only hope I do not let you down with future chapters : ) -Fallon.
Days had passed since their meeting at the archery range and Ma'tirea's leg had healed to the point were the healers could not hold her back from further training. Getting ready to meet with Tsu'tey, she wrapped a clean bandage over her leg to keep the area clean. The wound on her face had faded into a thin white scar that Rina'rey swore no one would notice. Not that it bothered Ma'tirea, the white scar did not diminish her beauty and acted as a reminder of the dangers just beyond the tree line.
Strapping her dagger to her calf and another on her lower back she hurried to find her teacher. She smiled at the children as she passed and had almost reached the clearing when she saw the amber eyes again. He emerged seemingly from nowhere and approached her, offering a warm smile.
"I see you Ma'tirea."
Nervously she nodded and returned his greeting. His tangled braids had been pulled back to reveal the full power of his eyes and made him seem less leathal but fierce none the less. "I am sorry brother, I do not know your name..."
"I am Keye'txon. You are being trained by Tsu'tey correct?"
"Yes...he is very patient with me, a great teacher." Her eyes never left him as he came closer to her. She was unsure what to think of the male...his fierceness did not sit right with her somehow, no matter how warm his smile made him seem.
"I am sure you are a skilled student Ma'tirea, have you killed your first yerik yet?"
She shook her head quickly. "Soon I hope, if Tsu'tey thinks I am ready."
"Tsu'tey can not see talent even if it is right in front of him."
Ma'tirea glared at him. "That is not your place to say."
"Everyone can see he cares for you but he is a coward, I am not Ma'tirea." His amber eyes narrowed as he took a step closer to her.
She growled and fought back her desire to attack him. "Tsu'tey is no coward, skxawng!" Her hands clenched into fists.
Just then Tsu'tey approached them, glaring at Keye'txon as he protectively grabbed Ma'tirea's arm. "Come."
"Ma'tirea and I were just having a nice conversation Tsu'tey-" He growled at the amber-eyes male and she saw him tense beside her, could feel his grip tighten on her arm.
Ma'tirea looked from one male to the other and gently took Tsu'tey hand from her arm. "I have lessons to attend to Keye'txon, Eywa be with you." Her tone was cold and calm, she did not want to start a fight. She turned to leave and thankfully Tsu'tey followed. They walked in silence for a while, not really heading anywhere. Ma'tirea looked at Tsu'tey but his gaze stayed glued to the trees in front of them and she wondered if he had heard her defending him. "If you keep saving me I won't become a skilled hunter and warrior." She teased.
"You won't become a hunter if you are dead..." His tone was completely serious and devoid of all humour.
"Keye'txon would not-"
"No." He calmly interrupted her. "He wouldn't dare, but other things would."
She nodded and followed him as he broke off into a sprint, rushing into the trees. He jumped over a fallen tree and grabbed a vine, heaving himself up into the trees. Catching her breath, she watched him glide through the air and land on a high branch, turning swiftly back to watch her. Smiling and overjoyed to be in the trees once again, she jumped for the vine and followed him. Once she landed on the branch, he took off towards the higher branch of another tree and this time continued without looking back.
Ma'tirea jumped and followed Tsu'tey, reminding her body how amazing it felt to leap from tree to tree and be one with all Eywa had created. Launching herself forward she caught up with Tsu'tey and ran side by side with him. She thought she saw him smiled from the corner of her eye as they ran further into the jungle, descending the from the trees when a large spring below them. Tsu'tey looked around carefully for any threat before nodding to her that they were safe. Ma'tirea cupped her hands and brought some of the cool liquid to her lips, savouring the break in their run. She licked the water from her lips before turning back to see Tsu'tey.
His eyes trailed from her legs to the curve of her hips and her flat stomach. He wanted to drink as much of her in as he could without her noticing but once his gaze went higher, saw her looking at him. Quickly he looked away, pretending to be interested in something in the trees to his side. "Come." He headed back into the jungle and Ma'tirea sighed at the unfortunately short break before following him yet again. Still, she thought, it was kind of him to allow her that small break.
Tsu'tey headed for the trees but stopped abruptly, holding his arm out to stop her. Ma'tirea held her breath as his hand touched her stomach and tried to see whatever it was that had made her teacher stop so suddenly. His hand still on her stomach, he grabbed his dagger with his other hand and continued to scan the trees. Tsu'tey urged her behind him and she watched him, waiting for him to say something.
He remained silent so she focused all of her attention on her surroundings. The leaves rustled in the calm wind as she listened for what had gotten Tsu'tey's attention. Adrenaline pumping through his body, he turned and tried to voice a warning but was cut off by a large adult viperwolf that lunged from the tree above him, digging it's teeth into his shoulder. Tsu'tey grunted as the sharp teeth tore into his skin sending a wave of pain through his body. In a matter of seconds the viperwolf had jumped from Tsu'tey's back and had them surrounded with it's pack mates. Ma'tirea saw the teeth marks on Tsu'tey's shoulder and shuddered but kept her blade up and ready, knowing that to drop her guard now wouldn't help them.
She stood back to back with Tsu'tey, keeping her eyes on the pack that surrounded them. Three nantang charged her, determined to take her down. Stabbing at the creatures, she sent two whimpering back towards the safety of the dark trees while the third stalked her. She spun and kicked an attacking nantang, wincing as her leg made contact. Ma'tirea saw Tsu'tey pushing the nantang back and tried to make her way over to him.
A creature pounced on her exposed back and Ma'tirea cursed herself for letting herself become vulnerable. Claws grazed her flesh as she knelt down and flipped the viperwolf over. Landing on it's feet, it charged again and swiped at her legs. Ma'tirea kicked again and felt the creature's ribs give under her foot. She charged forward towards Tsu'tey and tackled one of the creatures off of him, stabbing it angrily in the torso. She hit something hard in the creature's gut and the blade refused to pull out.
The remaining pack stalked around them, having paused their attack. Her heart sank when she saw the blood covering Tsu'tey. She realized then that the viperwolves had seen him as the bigger threat and had focused the majority of their efforts in taking him down. Tsu'tey had managed to keep a hold of his dagger and stood next to her, swaying as he forced his battered body to remain upright.
Nantang slashed at their legs and Ma'tirea dove for a large branch that had fallen. She grabbed the weapon and turned in time to attack a lunging adult, sending it flying into the water nearby. Tsu'tey slashed the throat of a nantang that had went for his tail only to be charged by two more. Rage surged through her and she felt tears falling down her cheeks. Her thigh was throbbing but she didn't care, if she didn't do something soon they would kill him.
Screaming as claws scrapped at her calves, she ran forward and swung the branch to send two viperwolves flying. She swung the branch at the few remaining wolves and only relaxed when they scurried back into the jungle. Her chest heaved as she forced air in and out of her dry throat. Exhausted, she dropped the branch and turned frantically to find Tsu'tey.
He stood near the spring completely covered in blood. Ma'tirea felt her lip quiver and she took a step towards him. She could see bite marks over his shoulders and calves and claw marks over his chest. Tsu'tey weakly turned to look at her. "Ma'tirea..."
She bolted forward and embraced him, allowing him to fall into her arms. Weeping into his shoulder she realized she was probably hurting him instead of helping. Easing him down so they were both on their knees, she ran her hands over his back trying to find wounds. She choked on her tears as her fingers felt a gash that trailed from his shoulders to the small of his back. "Are you hurt?" He whispered into her hair.
Laughing sadly she shook her head. "You said my name..."
He tried to nod but wheezed into her hair as she touched the gash on his shoulder. Trying not to panic she looked to the spring behind him and eased him down on his side. Hurrying for the spring, she tore a sash of fabric from her loincloth and soaked it in the water. Kneeling beside him, she tried to clean the dirt from the wounds. She tied the cloth over a deep wound on his calf and touched his face.
"You have to get up, I have to get you to the healers."
Knowing she was right, he tried to ignore the pain down his back and chest as he forced himself up to his feet. Swaying, he felt arms wrap around his stomach. "Lean on me." He ignored her and tried to take a step only to feel his legs go out from under him. Her arms still around him, she managed to pull him up and get his arm over her shoulders. Tsu'tey felt like he had been tackled by Pandora's largest palulukan.
Ma'tirea felt his weight fall into her and she stumbled slightly. Grunting she forced herself forward, pulling a half conscience Tsu'tey along. He began to slump and she tripped, causing them both to fall. She crawled over to him and put her ear to his lips, sighing with relief when she felt his breath on her skin.
Eyes closed, he heard Ma'tirea weeping and felt her tears as they fell on his chin. Ma'tirea bit her lip and ignored her panic, her sadness and her worry. Praying to Eywa for strength, she slipped her hands under his arms and pulled him up so his back was to her chest. She moved as fast as she could considering she was going backwards and had to step over exposed roots. Tightening her grip over his tattered leather chest armor, she could feel his blood running down her chest.
The trees parted and she could see the hometree over her shoulder as well as Jake and Normspellman running towards her. She collapsed and her muscles ached but she grabbed Tsu'tey's hand as her friends approached.
"They're coming Tsu'tey, you're going to be alright!" He groaned and squeezed her hand weakly.
"Ma'tirea what happened?" Jake said as he ran to Tsu'tey and heaved him up with the help of Norm.
"Nantang. The largest pack I've ever seen."
He nodded and carried the beaten warrior to the healing pools. She wanted nothing more than to go to sleep but she ran after them, not wanting to let Tsu'tey out of her sight. They neared the pools and Neytiri ran out to met them followed by healers who ran to Tsu'tey. Neytiri grabbed Ma'tirea by the shoulders. "Stop sister, you're hurt."
Snapped back into reality she looked down at herself. The bandage on her thigh was blood soaked and she realised the wound had reopened. Her legs were covered in black bruises and claw marks, making her nauseous just looking at them. Her back stung and forced her to remember the claws grazing over her exposed and vulnerable flesh. Neytiri helped her into the healing pools where Swireya hovered over Tsu'tey with Mo'at, cleaning his wounds and causing him to moan in agony.
Neytiri made her lay in a hammock next to Tsu'tey and stripped the bandage from her leg. Neytiri searched her shoulders and chest but found no wound. "It's his blood..." Ma'tirea said sadly as she turned towards Tsu'tey's hammock. Rina'rey appeared and ran to her side.
"What happened Ma'tirea?"
"Nantang attacked...most of them went for him." Rina'rey looked to Tsu'tey's hammock and shuddered at the site of his blood. "Keye'txon has been asking about you, do you want me to-" Ma'tirea's eyes opened wide as Rina'rey mentioned the male from the morning and quickly filled them in on what he had said. Neytiri grabbed her hand to reassure her as a healer continued the work she had started.
"What if he asks you to be his mate sister?" Rina'rey voiced her concern as she sat down beside her.
"She can choose to accept or not, though I think you want to accept someone else." Neytiri said as she brushed a strand of bloody hair from Ma'tirea's face. Ma'tirea sighed sadly and tried to steady herself. "I can not accept what is not asked..."
Feeling no pain, he opened his eyes and saw a canopy of interlocking tree branches above him. Sitting up slowly he saw that his legs were no longer bloodied. Tsu'tey touched his chest expecting to feel his own blood and a sting of pain but felt nothing. He felt under his chest armor and laughed to himself when he felt that his skin was not marred by blood and cuts. Looking around at the glowing trees, he wondered if he was dead.
He remembered Ma'tirea crying as she held him, remembered her dragging him through the jungle to hometree...
Cursing himself, he peered into the shadows. He was a warrior of the Omaticaya and yet he had not heard the approaching nantang sooner, failing Ma'tirea both as a teacher and a friend. He had been transfixed on her, admiring her beauty and now they were probably both dead because of his foolishness. Footsteps echoed on the damp earth and he turned, trying to find it's source. The glowing trees did not illuminate all of the darkness and left pockets of shadow that could hide danger. Tsu'tey grabbed for his dagger and felt his heart sink when he realized he did not have it.
"Eywa." His voiced echoed with the approaching footsteps. "Have you brought me to your side? Am I dead?" He felt a calm wind flow over him from the stillness of the clearing. A darkened shape appeared but he could not make out if it was friendly or meant him harm. "You hide in shadows coward! Show yourself!"
The footsteps stopped and the only sound to be heard was Tsu'tey's heavy breathing. Seconds passed and the footsteps returned, slowly the figure came out from the shadows.
"Ma'tirea?"
Smiling, she stepped towards him and ran her fingers over his chest and shoulder as she walked behind him. He did not tense like he usually did when someone was behind him, instead he felt a sense of relaxation he had not experienced in a very long time. Standing behind him, her arms wrapped around his waist as her head rested on his back. "Where are we?" He asked her, touching her hands as they rested on his sternum.
Her breath tickled him as it danced over his back. "Your body is in the healing pools..."
"This is a dream then?"
She nodded against his back. "Ewya let's your mind rest here..." Her voice was soft and quiet but it still echoed in the trees.
"Are you part of this dream?"
"I am..."
He gently pulled her hands from his chest and turned to face her. "You are just a part of this dream that has taken on her shape then?" Still confused and in disbelief, he tried to understand.
"Yes Tsu'tey..."
"Ma'tirea...my friend, she is alive?"
The dream-Ma'tirea smiled and nodded. "You have taught her well, she has more courage then she thinks..."
"I failed you-her."
Still smiling; she shook her head. "You have failed nobody. A wounded warrior will always remain a warrior and when your wounds heal, Eywa hopes you will see that."
Sadly, he nodded at the dream figure before looking up to the canopy of woven branches above him. Dream-Ma'tirea watched him curiously and stepped closer to the distracted male. "Do not be afraid of what you feel Tsu'tey..."
He looked down to search the dream figure's eyes for her meaning. "What I feel...for her?"
"Eywa does not want you to fear it...you're waking now Tsu'tey."
He grabbed her arm and looked at her pleadingly. "Wake up Tsu'tey..." She whispered to him, her voice echoing in his head as his vision faded. "Wake up."
Unseen hands grabbed him and pulled him forward. He could not seedream-Ma'tirea anymore but could hear faint voices that were fast approaching. Darkness filled his eyes and a warmth enfulfed his body before a blinding light forced him back...