NOTE: THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN EDITED AS OF FEB. 10 . 10. PLEASE RE-READ THE SCENE WITH JAKE IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY, OR THE REST OF THE STORY WILL NOT MAKE SENSE.

Paiiyi was right. The morning came and Eywa poured light onto the ground as if she were emptying an entire ocean. I squinted at the thin sliver of light falling onto my hammock. It was barely the time of Light, but already the commotion had begun. My sister's mating ceremony was a huge event. Normally it would not be so grand, but with the recent disaster, the innumerable loss of lives and the constant mourning had spurred a desire for celebration for the Na'vi. Perhaps it was a good time for a mating ceremony after all.

Tsu'tey's dirtied bow lay forgotten by the side of my hammock. Last night I had not wanted to leave it on the ground, so I'd taken it to Hometree with me. Eywa let me hold the bow but wrenched it from my hands each time I thought of wielding it as a warrior. It had been very frustrating, but finally I managed to get it to my home. At first I'd wanted to show it to my Father, but everyone was in such a rush that no one noticed me. It felt like I was in the midst of a waterfall. Everything rushed past me so fast, and I could just barely hang on. Ma'hi looked absolutely gorgeous. I remember tearing my eyes from her shining naked form by the side of the lake and marching to my hammock. Her skin was glowing, her teeth as white as thunder in the sky.

Today she would be mated. Eywa had blessed her.

With a sigh, I dragged myself up and rose from hammock. My heart felt so heavy I was almost sure it could bring this Hometree down to the ground in a smoldering cloud of flame. I'd seen it once. My eyes had been opened. It was possible.

I wasn't that I hated my sister, but I could not bring myself to feel the necessary emotions. I could not shake the feeling that she was making a big mistake by choosing to mate with A'mari'k. Of all the Na'vi begging for her hand, why him? He was not very smart or even good looking… Why him?

To my surprise, Neytiri and Jakesully were present in the small alcove my family shared. They took turns blessing each member of my family, and when they caught sight of me, blessed me as well. I longed to tell Neytiri of all that had happened last night, but dared not to speak. Her hands floated over my head, and then they were replaced with Jakesully's. For a moment their hands touched in the transaction. I looked up just in time to see Jakesully throw a longing glance at Neytiri, who only smiled. He was very handsome indeed, and a powerful leader. He had one of the clearest voices I'd ever heard a Na'vi have, but then again he was born Dreamwalker.

It was custom for a couple to be blessed before they mated, and so A'mari'k was here as well. He nodded politely to me but kept his silence. His eyes, however, betrayed him. It was as if he had shot a poisoned arrow right into my chest. He was not supposed to be there yesterday. I should not have gone so far. Neytiri touched my shoulder briefly, her lingering scent wafting into the air. Jakesully spoke a few words to my father, who bowed deeply. It was custom for those blessed to remain quiet, so as to not block the arrival of Eywa.

We were allowed to stand. The restless murmurings of the rest of the tribe reverberated in the confined space of the Hometree. They were waiting for us. Jakesully looked so proud in his full Tribe Leader garb that he almost outshined my sister. He held a pot of water in one hand and some scented oils in the other. I must have missed the anointing. Traditionally, the dominant mate is anointed four times with the oil after being cleansed by water. It seemed as though no one had bothered to wake me for this ceremony, or they had not wanted me here. I stole a glance at my mother, who seemed positively indifferent to me. Her eyes belonged to Ma'hi.

Neytiri cracked a tinted Opay piece that belonged only to the Tsahik and rubbed it over Ma'hi's forehead. It caused it to shine in an unnatural color, but it suited my sister well. This was Eywa's final blessing; it was done.

Like a wood dam breaking, the small hallow in the great Hometree was instantly filled with blue skin. My sister and A'mari'k were dragged out, laughing and crying and embracing. It was surreal. I had not even said a word to my sister yet on her mating day. Just as I was about to chase after her, Mother finally noticed me and grabbed me by the arm.

"Yishat! What are you doing, dressed like this? Go change immediately!"

I did not need to be asked twice. Her cold demeanor towards me was to be expected, but still it hurt. To the Omaticayan, those who do not tame their Ikran after they mature are seen as failures until they do. Mother and Father were perhaps trying to push it along by making me feel isolated in my own home. If this were any other time, I would've rushed to embrace my mother, but this was Ma'hi's time. I would have to endure this for now. I was still a child to the Tribe, and in fact, they probably could not even tell I had reached my age yet. My parents, on the other hand, knew quite well and tried not to speak of me to their friends.

The reason I had not gone with Ma'hi to tame Ikran was one I could not completely understand myself. I couldn't say why I didn't follow my sister when she left to tame hers. In an attempt to make sense of it all, I told myself it was because I did not yet look like an adult. There would be much questioning and embarrassment, so I decided to not take the journey at all. Perhaps that was a very bad choice. I had not realized I would be alienated to this extent.

It was all very confusing because Neytiri practically said so herself I would not be able to mate until I could use the bow. Eywa, on the other hand, was adamant in having me stay away from the warrior lifestyle. Did that mean I was destined for a life as a failure? An outcast? Would Eywa be so cruel? Hard as it was to accept, the best course of action in this time was to stay put and receive what Eywa had planned for me. My recent failure with Tsu'tey's bow was a harsh reminder of how little choice I had in my fate. Each time the bow was wrenched from my hands I felt as if Eywa were scolding me.

-x-

"Well? How did it go?" Ka'iil was weaving another basket, looking up at me anxiously from his place on the ground. Both he and Paiiyi were dressed in their best clothes. Colorful feathers were fluttering in the air everywhere, and the mixing of so many scents was heady. Ka'iil and Paiiyi wore long, colorful strings of beads in their hair to signify their standing in the tribe. They'd both tamed their own Ikran and were seen as adults, while I had not. My two friends often joked that I was their child and they the parents. It was quite astounding that they still remained my friends. It was believed that we Na'vi have two sets of friends: the childhood set and the adult set. After taming one's own Ikran, one is expected to not have further interactions with those who have not yet done so. I was eternally indebted to my friends for their constant support.

The centre of the Hometree was big and accommodated all of us, but I had the thought that even it was not used to noise of this level. I could barely hear Ka'iil's tiny voice amongst all the screaming and rejoicing. Apparently father's ale had been a success.

"How did you know I had gone?" I frowned, adjusting a tiny bead on my necklace. I was donned in jewelry and feathers as well, as is the custom with celebrations of this magnitude. Neytiri and Jakesully did not leave after the blessing like they were expected to. Instead, they stayed and celebrated with us. If I was not mistaken, Jakesully was currently in a drinking competition with my father. He was winning, if the cheering in the background was anything to go by.

Ka'iil shrugged and inched closer to me so I could hear him better. "Word gets around, you know. People start to wonder."

"Word?" I repeated, "what word?"

Paiiyi rolled over and smiled brightly at me. A sprig of some other flora poked out from between her lips. Go figure. "Rumor has it that last night Tsu'tey returned to his warriors very upset, Yishat. He said he'd lost his bow! Know anything about it?"

The fire burning brightly in front of us scorched my face. I did not know what to say. Did Paiiyi know, or was she just testing me? I felt Ka'iil shrug beside me. "Don't become too moonstruck, Yishat."

I did not know what to say to that either. Paiiyi rose and tugged on her braid, ordering her hair. Almost immediately, she was whisked away to a dance that had begun to take place around the fire. Ka'iil and I moved back to a respectable distance so we would not be trampled. We held a comfortable silence, but more and more I became disturbed by his words. Ka'iil always had a tongue worthy of Eywa. His wisdom was beyond his age, though most did not pay him much respect due to his small stature.

Finally, he spoke. "I saw his bow by your hammock, Yishat."

I cringed. "I'm sure you're not the only one to have seen it."

Then Ka'iil did something that surprised me. The gentle basket weaving boy threw down the latest project he was working on and splashed the nearest cup of ale onto my face. "Are you insane, Yishat? Do you care nothing for your reputation? I know you didn't steal that bow, but do you think others will believe you when Tsu'tey himself testifies against you? You've given him a reason to throw you out of the tribe!" He grabbed my shoulders and shook me like a beast. I was once startled by the ale, twice surprised by his words and thrice caught off guard by his strength. Despite having almost turned my world upside down, no one noticed us.

-x-

When Paiiyi finally found her way back to me, it was almost dark and she reeked of ale and sweat. I was miserable but I could not leave- it would reflect badly on my parents. Since I could not trust my voice, I did not speak to her until she asked about Ka'iil's whereabouts. I had to tell her he felt sick and had to go home. I could not have said anything else; for I would surely die if I told her he left because he could not stand my crying. I did not cry much, but having my future hang by the string of Tsu'tey's bow made my bowels turn. At some point I began blindly weaving through the crowd to search for Ma'hi, but she and A'mari'k were nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Neytiri was tending to Jakesully, who had drank too much ale and neither was in any position to help me.

However, Eywa granted me one solace- Tsu'tey was not here. As the celebration drew to an end, I was still glad. The beads of my necklace had torn and somehow I was left almost naked by the end of it all, but mother and father made no remark. I felt as if I was dying. We were all so tired. I did not even care follow the crowd to wash in Eywa's waters- I dove into my hammock and pulled the flaps over.

If Eywa was the giver of all on this world, Tsu'tey would take everything away.

-x-

The next morning brought on much confusion. It was a beautiful day, and the crisp air outside beckoned for children to play. However, today the children were quiet. Typically, the Olo'Eytkan spent every morning in the centre of the Hometree with the children, retelling stories and making announcements to the rest of the tribe. Jakesully in particular is known to have a smile that put Eywa's light to shame. Today, however, Jakesully looked as if he were lost in night.

Neytiri was not anywhere to be found, which sent chills up my spine. By Eywa, what has happened? Jakesully said nothing, but a crowd began to gather at the ominous atmosphere that had fallen over the entire clan quite quickly. When I squinted I could make out a kind of stone hanging over his chest. It was peculiar, and I remembered Mother telling me about it once before but at the moment I could not recall what it symbolized.

No one dared to approach Jakesully, but finally he straightened and regained his composure. "My friends, my family," he called, "we have lost a very dear member of our tribe."

I began to swoon. My hands started to shake, for I knew who it was.

"Our mightiest warrior has deserted us."

-x-

Neytiri returned empty handed. She had found nothing. Tsu'tey had been so skilled in hiding his tracks that there was no sign of which way he'd gone. He was a true Na'vi.

Ma'hi and A'mari'k have not yet returned, but already the entire tribe began to mourn anew. Hunting was not easy in this unfamiliar terrain, and our tribe needed every last warrior. Tsu'tey's abandonment would cost us very dearly.

"If I had not drunk so much, if I had been more aware… Maybe something could have been changed!" Jakesully spoke to Neytiri only, but his words carried in the air. He began to blink rapidly whilst Neytiri looked as if she would faint. My father stiffened and went cold. Mother held his hand tightly and clenched her teeth, shaking her head but did not make any remark. I think she was scared that blame might eventually fall on my father for having brewed such potent ale. I was afraid too, but for different reasons.

"But we will starve without him!" One female shouted from the crowd, "he is our best hunter!"

Jakesully seemed to struggle to speak, but Neytiri took control of the situation. With a level expression, she weaved past the crowd and took her hand, though her own were shaking. "I see you, my child. Do not fear, A'mari'k will fill his spot… There will be no starvation."

The clan seemed to have heaved a sigh of relief. All were familiar with A'mari'k's hunting prowess. Although he was not the same as Tsu'tey, he could be trusted to fill their bellies. However, Jakesully's face hardened, "No," he shouted, "A'mari'k will not become head hunter. I will lead the hunts myself."

A collective murmur ripped through Hometree. Children covered their ears at his loud voice. He'd never spoken with such hostility before! It was different from all those times he'd given orders... This just frightened me. I held onto my Mother, who squeezed my hand comfortingly.

Neytiri spun her head around so fast her braids whipped across her face. "What are you talking about, my Jake? You know A'mari'k is our best choice, and you cannot lead hunts as Olo'Eytkan!"

From the corner of my eye I saw Lady Mo'at shift her weight. She was becoming uncomfortable. I could just sense her itching to give Jakesully a lecture.

The two Leaders had a very brief, quiet argument before Jakesully led Neytiri into their personal alcove with a bow to his people, and the Hometree grew startlingly silent. Everyone was utterly confused.

Apparently, last night Tsu'tey took off on his own with his Pa'li. He left with only a minimal amount of provisions and barely a note to Jakesully. The note spoke of Eywa's will and all the usual, but Jakesully knew Tsu'tey had not meant it. He believed it was his fault that the warrior deserted the tribe.

The Hometree immediately became home to an intricate network of rumors. There was no way one could miss the constant whispering as one moved about the Hometree.

"Maybe he was kidnapped," whispered a female's voice.

Her mate laughed, "Ha! Tsu'tey kidnapped? What a joke! What's more to worry about is Olo'Eytkan! Sometimes I just don't understand him!"

I felt as if I would vomit. Tsu'tey was gone. I would not see him again. I could not bother him anymore even if I'd wanted to. He was just gone. I could not help but feel that I played a part in his decision to leave. Nothing was out of the ordinary when I last saw him… Had I somehow offended him? No, he would not leave just because he was offended… But Tsu'tey would not have left so suddenly just because of some sign from Eywa.

Any why was Jakesully so against A'mari'k becoming head hunter? Even I could not deny his skill. Did Jakesully know something I did not? Something Ma'hi did not?

I did not have much time to ponder on this subject, for Paiiyi pulled me aside and looked hard into me. "I see you," she hissed almost venomously. "At first I had guessed, but now I know. I came to wake you this morning, and you seem to have acquired quite a pretty ornament." Seeing me cower, she pulled me away from the general commotion until we were outside. I felt Eywa's warm breath on my skin, and thought she was laughing.

"I did not know this would happen, Paiiyi! I didn't do anything!" I wrenched my arm away from her cold grasp, only to have her push me to the ground.

She stood seething at me for quite some time before she turned on one heel. Then she had her back facing me, as if trying to decide the next course of action. I gave her the time she needed, though in the back of my mind I could not help but think back to the bow hanging on my hammock. So Paiiyi had seen it. Why had Tsu'tey left without it? Surely it would have been no problem for him to come in the night and take it. Could it be that it was a split second decision? Could it be-?

"Well, I suppose all is not lost, Yishat." Paiiyi was speaking to me again, though her voice presented no emotion. "You can forget about everything and live as you will. It is not completely your fault, but when they find that bow in your hammock…"

Then it became clear to me; Ka'iil had been right. Tsu'tey had left his bow with me on purpose, because he knew his leaving would be mourned. He knew its cause would be investigated and eventually I would be pinned as a culprit. Even though they had no proof of any wrongdoings on my part, the fact that I had his most treasured bow would mean everything. I would be interrogated for information. I would be ruined. It did not matter that I had not done anything wrong. He knew my family cared not for me, for unless I bonded with an Ikran I was not even part of the tribe. There would be no one credible to defend me, not even Neytiri. In addition, he'd left A'mari'k with us, who could testify to the encounter. Had Tsu'tey planned all of this from the beginning?

I took a deep, tremulous breath, looking back and forth between Paiiyi and the Hometree. "Let them think what they will. I will keep silent and hide the bow. They will not suspect anything." Having nothing to lose, I began to recite in brief detail the encounter between Tsu'tey and I.

My tall friend tilted her head off to the side but said nothing.

"Everyone is aware of Tsu'tey's relations with Jakesully. He cannot bear the sight of him! And Ney- the Tsahik and he are so uncomfortable with each other… Perhaps everyone will just suspect that as his reason for leaving? It is not so improbable, is it? A-and A'mari'k can't possibly scheme against anyone!" I wrung my hands, aware of how ridiculous I must be looking at the moment. The winds blew in my face, and every gust felt like a slap in the face from Eywa. I felt tears prickling at my eyes but dared not free them. Not in front of Paiiyi, anyway.

Paiiyi shook her decorated head and took a step back from me, then stepped towards me. She looked as if she had yet to decide her position with me. "I suppose you could do that… But why do you not use proper honors when referring to the Olo'Eytkan? You use proper honors when you speak of the Tsahik…" At first it sounded like a lighthearted change of subject, but I knew its cause ran deeper than that. Paiiyi was testing me; she was wondering if I would betray the tribe or not.

However, even if I'd wanted to lie I would not have been able to find any suitable response. Jakesully was not born one of us and still had much to learn about our customs. While he was a 'good leader' when it came to leading his peoples, he had never really come off to me as socially adequate. Jakesully spoke mostly to the warriors and just about never spoke to any of the home tenders. Sometimes he confused me greatly, like he did today. Although despite all this it should not bother me. I was, after all, at the very bottom of the hierarchy and not yet part of the tribe. I could not even say what exactly caused me to hold this pointless grudge. Nonetheless, I was left speechless. My eyes pleaded for her forgiveness, but more and more so I felt as if I were digging myself deeper and deeper into a hole in the ground and soon Eywa would come and take my life and I would not be able to join with her into the afterlife and-

"Alright then," Paiiyi shrugged. "Well, Yishat, let's go and hide that bow."

-x-

Ma'hi returned to us in the late afternoon with a most sated expression. Mother and her spoke for hours, and immediately afterwards she left with her few belongings to live with A'mari'k. Goodbyes were apparently exchanged, but once again no one came to get me. It was now evident the severity of the dishonor I seemed to be bringing my family. They not only left me out of mandatory family rituals but grew distant towards me in general. At first it had been a little flicker of annoyance here and there, but now the feeling swallowed me whole.

I'd entertained the idea of finally going out to tame my own Ikran, but more often than not I just thought of Jakesully laughing at me and it would always be enough to deter me. In addition, I thought, this was still Ma'hi's time. She was the talk of the village and she loved the attention. Let her have it, then. Once she grows big with child she may not have this opportunity again.

I did not even get to speak to my sister until nights later. Paiiyi and I hid the treacherous bow with my growing collection of failed baskets. Mother and Father never paid much attention to those baskets, and hardly ever touched them. After the days passed with no change, I was beginning to find some balance with my emotions and fears. To my surprise, I seemed to have overestimated Tsu'tey's reputation. The home tenders cared not for him, except for the select few females who found his shoulders startlingly (and disturbingly) attractive. They mourned for a night or so, but everyone else seemed to be generally content with his not being here. It was either that or they were all so devastated they couldn't say a word. It was most likely the former, though. I had forgotten about how much they all resented his negative attitude- perhaps things would work out alright after all.

Ma'hi was busy sweeping the front of A'mari'k's personal alcove in a secluded corner of the Hometree when I arrived. There was a faded glimmer on her face from residue of the powdered Opay that had not been washed off. The entire space smelled of her scent.

"Sister!" With a smile as wide as entire rivers crossing her face, she sprang towards me and engulfed me in a tight embrace. "How are you?"

"Fine." I smiled meekly, craning my neck in an attempt to steal a glance at her new home. It seemed to be very orderly and the space was much bigger than ours. Hunters were often given large rooms since they liked to have many sons.

Without any pause, Ma'hi began reciting the intrigues of her new life. Apparently she enjoyed having a mate to wake up beside every morning and the simple pleasures of mending only her mate's clothes. She loved to cook for him in particular since he enjoyed just about anything. I chuckled despite myself; this was just how I'd imagined A'mari'k.

Ma'hi was so caught up in her story she could barely breathe. "We are going to try for a child! We will have our little prince!"

"My joy to you, sister," I said almost automatically and received a kiss on the cheek for my efforts. "I take it your mating was a resounding success?"

"Eywa has truly blessed me." Ma'hi smiled once more, and begun once again to chatter on and on about her home life. I was completely forgotten. It seemed surreal, for she did not even care to offer me a seat. I stood there like an idiot at her doorway until finally she asked me when I would go and tame my own Ikran. "I would love to go to your mating ceremony, sister. I pray to Eywa you will mate soon."

I shifted my weight, meticulously studying each piece of carved furniture in the room. Ma'hi now lived in luxury compared to our standards. "I suppose I should go soon… But I have not yet found the perfect mate." I did not want to have to rely on one person… No one could become my 'whole tribe'! But that was years ago, and now, as my relations with friends and family started to shake, I was not so sure. Did I want what Ma'hi had with A'mari'k?

She flashed a toothy grin at me and whispered, "You don't have to love him, sister."

I started. "What was that supposed to mean? You're telling me you don't love A'mari'k?"

Ma'hi rolled her eyes and put her hands on her waist. "I didn't say that, Yishat. You are still childish! You jump to conclusions. I'm just saying there doesn't necessarily have to be love."

Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions again, but if we were total strangers and she'd said that to me, I would think she was trying to imply I would never find love. I frowned and was just about to speak when A'mari'k brushed past me.

"I see you, Yishat," he reached out on tapped me on the shoulder, a polite gesture. Ma'hi was practically fawning over him, but something in his eyes set off alarms in my head. There was no sense of hostility in his posture or expression, but something about him just emanated negativity… He was a different person, but I couldn't point out where he changed.

"Tsu'tey's leaving is quite unfortunate, is it not?" A'mari'k continued, sliding an arm around Ma'hi's waist. Ma'hi nodded her approval, but other than that it seemed she did not know of my encounter with Tsu'tey. I started to feel as if I were being watched for my every reaction. This was no longer a happy family reunion.

"Yes, it is very unfortunate."

A'mari'k grinned, showing all his sharp teeth. "Well, no matter! We will not starve. I am the Leader of the Warriors now." I should have been relieved, but I could see this was not the end. A'mari'k was planning something.

He and Ma'hi then shared a long, passionate embrace accented with murmured words and kisses. I felt sick watching them, not sure if I should leave or not. Then A'mari'k's eyes flickered towards me. It was as if he was smirking with his eyes. Once again I noticed starkly that something was different about him, and it was obvious he was trying to insult me but I was missing something.

Then, all at once I understood. Despite Jakesully's protesting the day before, the role of Lead Hunter was still bestowed to A'mari'k. In fact he might not even know about the Olo'Eytkan's outburst. As leader of the warriors, A'mari'k had had taken to wearing Tsu'tey's hairstyle. He'd shaved his head and wore his sole braid proudly, just as Tsu'tey had. Therefore, in essence, Tsu'tey was kissing my sister.

I had so severely underestimated A'mari'k.

-x-

Neytiri took a long, hard look at me when I stepped into her alcove. She looked more tired than usual and seemed to be glaring into nothing in particular. I had not meant to come here, but I felt I would burst if I did not speak to her as I always did when something bothered me. Neytiri never minded that I was not formally a part of the tribe yet. As far as she was concerned, I cared for the wellbeing of the tribe and that was enough. However, despite this I sometimes wondered to what extent Eywa controlled her. If Eywa told Neytiri she should be kind to me, Neytiri would follow her will without question. What would Neytiri be like as a common Na'vi if she were not Tsahik and was not exposed to Eywa's every concern and wish?

"I see you, Tsahik." I tried to pretend as if I did not know more than I should, but she did not greet me in return.

Those long, graceful fingers motioned to the nearest seat, and I sat down gingerly. Neytiri wiped the sweat from her forehead with her forearm but did not take her eyes off of me. Up until now, I had never really experienced being truly 'Seen' before. The 'I see you' greeting is common to all Na'vi, but it never held a truer meaning until now.

"What ails you, Yishat?"

All at once my resolve broke. I wanted to confess to her, tell her I was somehow responsible for Tsu'tey's disappearance. I did not care for the consequences at this point, but I knew I could not lie to this Na'vi… No, especially when her eyes were looking at me in such a way that made my skin crawl with the need to come clean. But before I could speak, Neytiri spoke first.

"It is unfortunate that Tsu'tey has abandoned us. Eywa works her magic in strange ways." I could not tell what she was trying to do, but I nodded along dumbly. She continued solemnly, "Jake and I are very disappointed, but it in the end I believe it was his choice to leave us. It was only a matter of how long he could stand my Jake being Olo'Eytkan before he could take no more."

I gulped, my hands clenching one of my braids. Was Neytiri trying to trick me? Did Eywa tell her to do so? Or… Or was she trying to reassure me? At this point, I was certain she knew everything that had transpired, but what exactly was she trying to do now?

Neytiri rounded her small work table and shook her head whilst pacing. "I should have watched him closer… We all should have. It is truly unfortunate indeed." She looked as if she wanted to say something more, but did not.

"Tsahik… You…" It was too good to be true. Why would Neytiri protect me like this? If anything I would expect a good scolding, but this was just uncalled for.

As if to answer every question unvoiced in my mind, Neytiri shot me an indignant look. Her next words shot from her mouth like arrows. "I did suspect you, Yishat. Tsu'tey is my dear friend and his loss cuts deep into my soul." I flinched visibly, casting my eyes downward. "You were one of the last to see him; to speak to him. Do not think for one moment that I am not watching you more closely from now on."

I did not dare raise my head for I feared her expression. It would surely haunt me for nights. "I did not think I had done anything, Tsahik. I did not mean for this to happen…" I was utterly void of courage in front of Neytiri. Her intimidating energy reduced me to a babbling idiot. I could not even string together coherent sentences in my head, such was the power of Eywa flowing through her.

Neytiri's footsteps grew more distant, and by the sounds she was making I guessed she was by a flame. Something started to burn. It was a few moments later when she spoke again, "let this herb cleanse you… I had thought to seek you out, Yishat. I was angry. But Eywa came to me in a vision, and told me to leave you be. I have not concluded what this means, but right now you are in no danger." She paused for a moment before continuing, "I am partly at fault. I told you to go to him, and so I will excuse you from all suspicions any Na'vi may have. Do not thank me; it is Eywa's will."

I smelt it now. It smelled distinctly similar to Wepa, but was spiced with something more exotic. Despite what she said, I still thanked Neytiri profusely, having nothing else to hide. At any other moment I would have embraced her, but she kept a far distance away from me. Without looking into my eyes, she dabbed me with the ashes of the burnt herb and showed me to her door. It must be very difficult to be Tsahik. Eywa's wishes must be followed, and Neytiri was forced to see it through despite her thinking otherwise on the matter.

I was choking with gratitude and embarrassment. "I see you, Tsahik. I am sorry for the trouble I have caused you."

She did not reply.

It was as if she had not blessed me, but instead condemned me to be burnt alive.

I bet you guys weren't expecting that! What happens now? Does Yishat go after Tsu'tey? NOTE: THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN EDITED.

I tried to address some issues that have been brought up to me by my awesome readers (Thanks, guys!). If there are any more questions/concerns/beauty tips, please do not hesitate to click that review button or PM me. ;)