As the two were moved towards the Na'vi Hometree, Dominika fought to stay awake. Currently, it was her fascination with the natives' home that was making her eyes stay open. After all, this was something she had only seen in a book.

The woman knew it had to be one of the Great Trees that Grace described, so it was easy to remember the little facts about it. Like how this one was well over 200 meters tall and had a trunk that made the largest Sequoia on Earth look like a twig. Not to mention that its impressive base had massive mangrove pillars.

Dominika looked ahead and saw Tsu'tey riding between the columns and into the tree before her ears twitched at the sound of his ululating cry. As he rode in with the group following, the gathering crowd of Na'vi parted and whispered amongst each other. They were clearly interested in what was going on.

Jake looked around at all the Na'vi before he blinked when one slapped his arm as they passed. He adjusted his hold on the female in his arms before he looked ahead to see Tsu'tey dismount and walk up to another male.

Dominika looked up at Jake and followed his gaze before her brows furrowed in thought. The male was older than Tsu'tey, and his outfit seemed a bit more…impressive. While the rest of the clan had far simpler garments, his appeared to be much more regal.

She glanced away and then studied the area. The tree's interior was grand and reminded her of an old cathedral back on Earth. Only, this was alive. She looked up and saw some sturmbeest bladders filled with glow bugs that acted as lights for the area. The central space was dominated by the skull of some massive beast, mounted with much embellishment as that of a totem.

As they approached the male beside Tsu'tey, who Dominika was guessing was the clan leader, she caught his angry gaze and immediately closed her eyes. She peeked up at Jake and winced upon noticing that he was pretty oblivious to their overall situation. Unfortunately, she had no time to warn him as the female na'vi came forward.

The clan leader looked upon the woman and uttered a name, Neytiri, before he looked back at the two avatars. "Why do you bring these creatures here?"

Neytiri lowered her head slightly and met his gaze. "I was going to kill them, but there was a sign from Eywa."

He didn't seem pleased even with the reason she gave him and pointed at the two outsiders. "I have said no dreamwalker will come here to offend our home! Their alien smell fills my nose."

Neytiri straightened up a bit as she stood her ground. "Father, many atokirina came to these aliens."

Dominika blanched as soon as she heard that. "Oh no." She whispered before she looked up at Jake. "That's the clan leader…" She told him in a hushed voice.

"Huh? Wait, what are they talking about?" Jake asked her as Neytiri continued trying to convince her father.

"That's her father, he's also the leader of the clan…and he is deciding on whether or not to kill us." Dominika quietly explained with furrowed brows.

"Father? Should I…introduce myself?" He looked as though he was going to place her on the ground.

"No. Keep your distance and respect him. Introductions will come if he allows it." She shook her head at that and then held onto his arm.

Jake blinked at that and then pulled her close once more. "Uh…just a question, but what would he have done if I tried to shake his hand?"

"...Probably slit your throat." Dominika said in a blank tone.

"Yeah, I'll hang back here." He promptly replied and then turned his attention back to Neytiri and her father.

Before the two could possibly argue, a female started descending the grand staircase. "Stand back! I will look at these aliens." She said in a voice that was both wise and commanding.

Dominika's eyes flew up, and she watched the older woman make her way down and then stopped before them.

Neytiri glanced at the two and then bowed her head a bit. "That is Mother. She is Tsahik, the one who interprets the will of Eywa."

"Who's Eywa?" Jake asked with a confused expression.

"I'll explain it later," Dominika said and then gestured for him to look at the Tsahik.

Jake moved a bit as the Tsahik walked around him, examining his braid and then his tail before doing the same with Dominika's braid.

The Tsahik stopped in front of them with an unreadable expression. "What are you called?"

Jake went first as he moved Dominika's braid so she could hold onto it. "Jake Sully."

Dominika held her braid out of the way and looked up at the woman. "Dominika."

The Tsahik tilted her head slightly before she produced a long thorn and jabbed Jake, tasting his blood in thought before she did the same to the injured avatar. "Why did you come to us?"

Jake glanced down at Dominika and then nodded. "I came to learn."

Dominika answered right after him. "I wish to learn as well." She said in a quiet voice.

The woman gave them another look over as she stored her thorn. "We have tried to teach other Sky People. It is hard to fill a cup which is already full."

"Mine was emptied long ago." Dominika replied and glanced down as memories raced through her mind.

Jake cracked a small smile. "My cup is empty. Just ask Doctor Augustine. I'm no scientist."

The woman's expression didn't change as she continued. "What are you?"

"I…was a pilot. I flew a magnificent…metal beast until I didn't." Dominika said, choosing her words carefully, so the Tsahik understood her.

Jake had a bit of a tougher time thinking up an explanation. "I don't know. I was a Marine, uh, a warrior…Of the Jarhead clan. We both are." He said and gestured to Dominika…who deadpanned almost immediately.

Tsu'tey looked as if the two were a joke. "Two warriors? I could kill them easily!" He exclaimed, earning whoops and hollers from the other hunters.

The clan leader held up his hand. "No! These are the first warrior dreamwalkers we have seen. We need to learn more about them." His words silenced the hunters while Tsu'tey looked away in annoyance.

"What are they saying?" Jake asked as he saw everyone looking much more interested in them now.

"Well, they aren't killing us." Dominika said with a raised eyebrow, prompting Jake to blink in surprise.

The Tsahik looked at her daughter. "Daughter. You will teach him our way, to speak and walk as we do."

Neytiri's eyes widened in shock. "Why me? That's not fair! I only-"

Her mother held up her hand. "It is decided!" The older na'vi's stern voice caused Neytiri to groan before she looked back at Dominika. She was quiet for a bit before she suddenly looked at Tsu'tey. "You will teach her, Tsu'tey. If her feats are as my daughter says, you are the most capable of teaching her."

The hunter was…caught off, to say the least.

Dominika blinked several times and said what they were both thinking. "What?"

Tsu'tey looked at the redhead, still thoroughly in shock. "Me? Not a female?"

"You are the best hunter." The Tsahik said rather simply before she looked at Jake. "My daughter will teach you our ways…and Tsu'tey will teach you. Learn well." She finished and looked down at the injured woman. "We will see if your insanity can be cured."

The Tsahik turned to ascend the stairs before she looked directly at Tsu'tey. "Bring her to be healed." She told him and then continued until she was gone.

Tsu'tey scowled before he glared at the other hunters who found his situation to be quite hilarious. While a few stopped at his glare, others merely whispered to each other.

The hunter made his way over with his scowl somehow deepening. "Put her down."

Dominika glanced between him and Jake before licking her dry lips. "Jake…I think that he is going to take me to be healed."

"What? No, I'm not just handing you over to some…guy." Jake said and returned Tsu'tey's glare, missing how Neytiri rolled her eyes.

"He's not going to hurt me. He will just take me somewhere." Dominika gently told him before she glanced at Tsu'tey.

Jake looked down at her and chewed his lip. After a minute, he carefully stood her up and steadied her. "If he tries anything-"

Dominika placed her hand on his arm. "...He won't." She whispered before she stepped back.

Jake frowned and looked as though he didn't want to leave before finally giving up and nodding. "Okay. I will see you soon."

Dominika nodded in reply. "I will see you soon, Jake." She then looked up at Tsu'tey. "I don't know how far I can walk." She admitted to him, knowing that he was going to make her walk the way.

Tsu'tey scoffed at her words. "You do not look hurt."

She remained calm and exhaled. "Let me prove it then. Step back."

The male looked at her before he took a few steps back. "What now?"

Instead of answering him, she looked down at her legs, feeling a bit apprehensive now. She didn't stay still for long, though, and carefully stepped forward. Her legs wobbled a bit from how weak they were, but she still didn't stop.

Tsu'tey folded his arms with a bored expression. "You walk like a baby." He said while he smirked a bit.

"Not for long." Dominika said with furrowed brows.

Tsu'tey squinted her words before he noticed she was about to stumble and fall. Without thinking, he stepped forward and quickly caught her.

Dominika opened her eyes a bit, expecting to meet with the ground. She looked up at him in surprise before she was startled when he picked her up.

"You are trouble." He huffed and looked elsewhere as he started walking.

Dominika stared at him, studying his annoyed expression before she tilted her head. It was hard, but once she looked past his seemingly permanent expression of annoyance, she found him to be…quite attractive. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

This thought caused her to pause for a moment.

Not only did she find the hunter, who had probably wanted to kill her under thirty minutes ago, attractive, but now she was accepting that he was going to teach her!

She immediately tore her eyes away…only to find them now locked onto his chest. Never before had she been so…so drawn to a male's body. And he wasn't even human!

"I…am losing my mind." Dominika murmured to herself.

Tsu'tey smirked at her words. "That is something we agree on."

She winced as her cheeks darkened at the sound of his voice. Somehow, his once threatening voice…was now incredibly attractive to her. "I…You might be correct." She whispered with wide eyes.

He looked down at her as his smirk grew. "I know I am."

Oh my god…quit looking at me like that! Dominika silently thought as her cheeks only became darker.

The male didn't look away as if he somehow knew what she was thinking.

…He knows. He definitely knows, and he's toying with me. She swallowed as she felt practically naked in his arms.

Thankfully for Dominika, Tsu'tey arrived at the healer's and entered the smaller area. "I will be back by morning." He told her and lowered before laying her on a padded mat made out of various materials. He snagged a leaf pillow and lifted her head then put it under before he laid her head back down. "Make sure she is fed." He told the healer and then left for dinner.

Dominika watched him walk away, silently admiring him until he was gone, and exhaled in relief. "...I am so fucked." She whispered to herself as the healer began to remove her clothes.

The healer looked at her…but chose not to comment. Though, she did have a tiny smile on her face. When she removed Dominika's clothes, she reached for some salve. "This might sting."

Dominika glanced at her, seemingly thinking it wouldn't be so bad. Until the healer applied the salve, that is.

She hissed a bit while her ears went back. "Might…is not the right word." She said with a wince before she grimaced when more salve was applied to another spot.

"My bad." The healer murmured in English with a soft chuckle and continue.

Dominika shook her head. "H-How many of you know English? Did you…go to Grace's school?"

The healer was silent before she nodded. "I went with my brother."

"Oh. I…don't know exactly what happened, but I'm sorry that it did happen." Dominika awkwardly said before she tilted her head when she was offered a liquid of some sort.

"It is okay." She replied rather simply before she urged Dominika to drink the liquid. "Drink."

The redhead looked between it and the healer before she carefully drank it. The flavor was bitter, telling her that what she had probably just swallowed was medicinal. Afterward, she coughed a bit and closed her eyes. "Ugh…what was that?"

The healer looked amused and didn't tell her before she looked up as another female brought in some food. She nodded in thanks before she sat Dominika up. "Eat."

The avatar opened her eyes and looked down. On her lap was a leaf with grilled bugs and bug larvae. It wasn't the weirdest thing she had eaten, so she ate one of the bugs. "...This is pretty good."

The other woman pulled out her bandages, which also looked as though they were made out of leaves or some similar-looking textile. "Good." She replied and then began dressing her wounds. "Sleep once you are done."

Now that's a good idea. Dominika thought and finished another bug. "Okay." She nodded before she ate the last two large grubs and then carefully laid down.

The healer offered her a smile before she went back to wrapping a leg wound.

Dominika looked at her momentarily before she relaxed and exhaled, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.

0000000000000

"Dominika? Dominika!"

"She's coming back."

"Oh thank god."

Dominika stirred at the sound of their voices and opened her eyes to find Grace bent over and shining a light into her eyes. "G-Grace?"

Grace smiled in relief and turned the light off. "You're alright."

Max looked relieved as well as he stepped back from the monitor. "We came over as soon as you unlinked."

Dominika raised her head up and looked around, a bit disorientated from the sudden loss of vision in one eye. "I…Wait, is Jake out?" She asked in alarm and quickly tried to get up.

Grace stopped her and steadied her by placing her hand on Dominika's shoulders. "We've been watching him closely." She said as Max went over to Jake's link. "Where are the avatars, Dominika?"

The redhead looked up at her and exhaled. "...One of the Great Trees."

Grace's eyes widened a bit. "Could it be the Omaticaya?"

"I'm…not entirely sure. I only caught a couple of names, and I was trying hard to stay awake. A pack of viperwolves attacked us." Dominika said as she allowed Grace to help her up.

"Names? Do you remember what they were?" The older woman asked, trying to get the answers out of the still-disorientated redhead.

"Tsu'tey…and Neytiri. I did not hear the Tsahik's name or the clan leader's." Dominika nodded at her words as Grace picked up her holographic tablet.

Grace searched through her photo library before she found what she was looking for. "Do you recognize them?" She handed the tablet to Dominika.

The younger woman looked at the first picture, immediately noticing it was Neytiri. Then she moved to the next one…which was a not-so-surprisingly scowling Tsu'tey. "Yes. That's them."

Grace exhaled and shook her head. "I have no idea how you did it…but you were invited in by the Omaticaya." She said with a hint of amazement in her voice.

"We were?" Dominika tilted her head at that. "They…said they were going to teach us. That means we were invited?"

"Yes. Who is teaching you?" Grace asked and looked at her tablet in thought.

"Tsu'tey." Dominika blinked at that…before she thought back to the last time she saw the male and bit her lip.

Not noticing, Grace raised an eyebrow. "...Interesting." She said before she heard a beeping and looked up. "That's Jake." She put the tablet down and went over.

Dominika watched her, silently thankful she didn't notice the way she was acting. After that, she went to the other side of the room to see if Jake was alright.

Jake gasped a few times and cracked a smile as he remembered everything. "You would not believe where I am."

"Oh, I will." Grace said with a small smile.

Dominika walked closer and waved to Jake. "She heard from me. Though, I'm sure you may have some different information." She smiled at him, relieved that he was also alright.

Jake wasted no time getting out and into his wheelchair before he rolled up to Dominika. "Did that guy do anything?"

Dominika couldn't help but laugh at that and shook her head. "No, he did not. The most he did was tease me endlessly about how I couldn't walk."

"Did he make you walk?" He squinted at that, looking like he was plotting to attack the na'vi male.

"...He tried." Dominika shrugged at her words before she lowered a bit and rubbed his arm. "But besides that, he took me to be healed, and that was it."

Jake slowly nodded, though he didn't look entirely convinced. "...Sure. Did you want to get some food?" He changed the topic before she grew suspicious.

Dominika straightened up and stretched for a moment. "We probably should…since I'm pretty sure we unintentionally starved ourselves for multiple hours."

"It was worth it." Jake said with a smirk as he started to leave.

"You got a point." Dominika said in humor and followed him with a smile.

0000000000000

By the time it reached the morning, Dominika found herself waking up with zero energy. It wasn't because of their extended time linked up…but it was because of her vivid dreams about a certain na'vi. She was exhausted since she kept waking up throughout the night. Whether it was from more…intimate encounters in her dreams to him trying to kill her with a spear, she could tell that he had infiltrated her mind even when she slept.

She laid on her back with a groan. "...Curse that man and his…stupid cocky…beautiful smile." She grumbled and covered her eyes as her alarm went off. "Ugh…shut up." She reached over and smacked it before she knocked it off the table.

Once the ringing stopped, she rose and yawned. "I need to get this taken care of. That man is going to ruin my sleeping schedule." She mumbled and got up.

Dominika stumbled into the shower and stripped before she stood under the cold water. She had no idea what she was going to do. Not only was Tsu'tey going to teach her, meaning he would be by her side…for many many days, but she would have to look at him.

She laid her head against the wall and sighed. "...Okay, Jake will think something is wrong if I tell him this. Norm is…he's probably upset that he too didn't get chased by a Thanator. That leaves…Grace." She said to herself as she made an attempt to wash her body.

Dominika wasn't entirely sure Grace would take her seriously, especially after sharing that a Viperwolf chewed on her head. But, at this point, she was the sanest person she could talk to.

The woman finished up and dried herself off. Afterward, she slipped into some of her cozier clothes and a pair of slip-on shoes.

She stared at herself in the mirror for a moment before she saw her avatar form looking back at her. At this, she immediately shook her head. "No. You are human. You cannot be imagining a life as a na'vi with a guy who may still want to kill you." She told herself and rubbed at her good eye.

Dominika forced herself to leave as she repeated her message to herself. After a bit of walking, she arrived in the mess hall where everyone was eating and talking.

As she slowly made her way over, she could tell that Grace was telling the rest of the group what had happened yesterday. "-so these two are out there one night, and they got the Queen Bitch herself offering them the spare room and the car keys. Unbelievable."

The others laughed while Jake wore a wry grin. "Hey, it's not something you can teach."

Dominika rolled her eyes before she walked up to them. "Hey, guys…Grace, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Grace looked at her before she nodded. "Keep eating, Jarhead." She told Jake, prompting him to deadpan as the others burst into laughter again.

As Dominika went to a more quiet part of the room, Grace raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

Dominika paused and then faced her. "I…think I might be going crazy. I couldn't sleep all night, and I keep seeing things. It all started last night, and now it's…" She sighed and closed her eyes.

Grace frowned a bit before she sighed. "You're stressed. Is it because of yesterday?"

"…No, it happened before I unlinked. He…was messing with me until he saw that I was truly injured. Then…it's like something changed in both of us. He was being careful, and I was staring…a lot." Dominika said quietly and exhaled through her nose.

"You're talking about Tsu'tey." Grace said with a nod.

"I am. I can't stop thinking about him." Dominika mumbled and glanced elsewhere.

Grace looked at her before she rubbed her head. "Well, unless things have changed, he's promised to Neytiri. It's been years since I was allowed into Hometree."

"They…don't seem very happy when they talk to each other." Dominika said and looked back up at Grace.

"It's an arranged marriage. Neytiri will become the next Tsahik and Tsu'tey will become the next Olo'eyktan. They didn't choose this." Grace said in a soft voice.

"Oh…I see…so it's all on my end." Dominika sighed at that.

Grace squinted in thought before she rubbed Dominika's arm. "Maybe not. Neytiri was not Tsu'tey's first choice. He loved her sister…but when she passed, Neytiri was the next choice. I don't believe he has any feelings for her."

Dominika listened with a calm expression before she smiled a bit. "That…might help ease my mind. Thank you, Grace."

Grace nodded before she began to lead Dominika back to the table. "Let's get you something to eat."

Hometree

Once Dominika was linked to her avatar, she exhaled and opened her eyes. The sounds of the wildlife and nearby na'vi hooting and talking with each other made her sit up. The first thing she noticed was that she didn't feel as sore as she did when she was brought up.

She looked around in a curious manner before she noticed that she now had on a brown top made out of some sort of fabric and a purple loincloth. She ran her hand through her hair and found it had been put into large chunk braids while her bangs were parted.

The woman then saw the food that had been left for her and smiled. "I love their spices…" She murmured and ate the food.

Once she was done, she got up and left the healer's corner. The rest of the tree was bustling, and she noticed that a few of the hunters from last night were nearby.

Before she could question it, one of them turned around…and it was Tsu'tey.

Dominika licked her lips, mentally telling herself she should stop doing that, before she waved at him a little.

Tsu'tey stared at her before he grumbled something and began to walk over.

Okay. Act cool. Don't blush or do anything stupid. She told herself and exhaled before putting on a calm expression.

"You are awake early." He said, seeming a bit impressed at the fact.

"And I'm walking." Dominika smiled at him and gestured to her legs.

"Indeed. Now I do not have to carry you around like a child." Tsu'tey smirked at that.

She paused and blinked before she smirked back. "Unless your "teaching" injures me."

"One can only hope to spend a day away from you." He replied with sass clearly in his tone before he turned to leave.

"Aw, I'd miss you too much." Dominika followed him and walked close behind him.

"Too bad." Tsu'tey chuckled and practically hopped down the stairs, skipping a few steps on the way down.

Dominika watched him and then squinted as he shot her a challenging look. She looked at the natural steps made from the tree and descended them.

Tsu'tey watched her take her time before he checked over his knife in boredom.

The female eventually got down without injuring herself and walked up to him. "Tada!"

Tsu'tey barely glanced at her. "A child who has only begun to walk can move faster than you."

"Oh come on! I didn't want to get injured again." Dominika pouted and folded her arms.

"…Can you not leap properly?" Tsu'tey looked a tad amused as he put his knife away.

"I can leap fine. I was just being cautious since I could barely walk yesterday." She sassily replied and huffed.

"Sure." He didn't look convinced but started leading her outside. "You will first mount a pa'li."

Dominika blinked as she followed him. "Pa'li…oh, you mean those direhorses you and your hunters rode last night?"

"Pa'li, and yes. We ride them on patrol." Tsu'tey corrected her and nodded.

"Oh, that's pretty cool. I've ridden a few horses in my life." Dominika smiled at that.

"These are nothing like your…horses. You must mount and bond, or you will be left behind. I will not give you a second chance." He said in a flat tone and looked back at her.

She deadpanned at him. "…Will you at least explain what to do beforehand?"

"I will." The male nodded as they stepped outside, stepping around a few Na'vi children that were playing with each other.

Dominika smiled and waved when the kids noticed her before she looked back at Tsu'tey. "Then I can do it. I just so happen to be a fast learner."

"We will see if that statement is true." He said and then led her into a clearing.

Dominika looked around before her ears twitched when he whistled. She gazed ahead as two direhorses trotted into the field and stopped before them.

Tsu'tey hopped on his with ease and connected with the direhorse and then gestured to the other animal. "Do the same."

Dominika looked the direhorse over and noticed right away that it was a male. Keeping this in mind, she went to the creature's side and hopped on its back. "Woah…" She steadied herself and gently patted the horse before she grabbed her braid.

It took a moment, but she did connect. She wanted to take her time to adjust to feeling what another creature felt, but Tsu'tey seemed to be quite impatient. As she opened her eyes, she saw him already heading elsewhere. "Wait, where are we going?"

Tsu'tey glanced over his shoulder as he watched her figure out the movement before he rolled his eyes. "To see that moron who came with you." He said in a dry tone.

"Jake? He's around here?" Dominika followed him with a look of surprise.

"Yes. Learning to ride is the first step." Tsu'tey said as he led her down a path.

"It's a good thing I caught on." She said and raised an eyebrow as she glanced around.

"Very good. I was not going to let you ride with me." He replied with a smirk.

Dominika rolled her eyes and smirked in return. "You must be a hit with the ladies."

The male merely continued to smirk as they left the forested path and entered another area. He urged the direhorse to go further in before he chuckled. Apparently, they had arrived just as Jake had been thrown right off a direhorse.

Dominika smiled in humor and looked to see Neytiri rubbing her head. "Jake! Enjoying your mudbath?" She asked him as she stopped her direhorse beside Tsu'tey.

Jake wiped some of the mud off his face with a deadpan. "Haha, very funny. How did you get on yours so fast?"

"I respected it." Dominika shrugged a bit. "Oh, and I used to do a lot of horseback riding when I was younger."

"Of course you did." Jake commented and glanced at Tsu'tey before he got up.

Tsu'tey scoffed and shook his head before he looked at Neytiri. "This alien will learn nothing. A rock Sees more."

Neytiri looked up at him as she guided the direhorse back to Jake. "He is not a rock. How is she doing?" She asked with a neutral expression.

Tsu'tey glanced at Dominika and debated what to say since he knew the woman could understand him. "Better than that alien. She has potential, I will work to bring it out."

As Dominika looked at him in surprise, Neytiri rolled her eyes. "We will see."

Tsu'tey clicked his tongue at that before he looked directly at Dominika. "Come. You will be on patrol with me and my hunters."

"I will?" Dominika watched as he began to leave. "Oh, um…bye Jake." She gave him a smile before she hurried after Tsu'tey.

Jake frowned a little…before he saw Neytiri gesturing to the direhorse. "...Right. I still need to get on the giant horse."

"Yes." Neytiri smiled rather pleasantly and then stepped back, just in case he landed in the mud again.

0000000000000

Evening

By the time she had returned to Hometree, it was already evening, and she was a bit tired. Mentally she felt as though she could go for five more hours, but physically she was definitely hungry and in need of a bed. Despite this, she had noticed a change in Tsu'tey's behavior.

The male had relaxed significantly while out on patrol and even began speaking to her as if she was just another person…or, well, a Na'vi. Now he was even leading her to a more secluded place to eat. Which was odd considering his former feelings toward her.

Dominika followed Tsu'tey through the Great Tree until they arrived in a secluded area that was lit up by makeshift light fixtures. This confused her greatly…because it looked quite intimate.

Tsu'tey entered and then sat before gesturing to her to sit as well. When she did, he nodded and then uncovered some food. "Eat. You did well."

Dominika stared at him in shock. "Um…thank you? Why aren't we with everyone else?"

Tsu'tey watched her take some of the food before he did the same. "You are still recovering. If you are hurt, I will have to watch you."

Dominika raised an eyebrow at that and began to eat. "…Maybe you should watch me." She commented with a hint of playfulness to her tone.

"I would rather face a palulukan." Tsu'tey replied in his usual snarky manner.

The female scooted a bit closer and smirked. "I had to run away from one, and that's how I was injured."

Tsu'tey glanced up and noticed she was sitting a bit closer. After a moment he 'hmphed' and looked down at his food again. "That is only somewhat impressive."

"That I managed to escape?" Dominika's smirk grew at that.

"No, that the palulukan's injuries didn't kill you." Tsu'tey said and chuckled a bit when her smirk fell.

"…You can't let me have anything, can you?" Dominika asked with a small pout.

"If I do, you'll get a big head." He said, his tone more gentle. He looked up at her and cocked his head to the side. "You cannot See if your ego has blinded you."

Dominika looked back at him before she turned her head away when she felt a fluttery feeling. "So…if I'm cocky, I can't learn?"

"Yes. You must not let your vision be clouded." Tsu'tey said before he glanced elsewhere. "But…you are not cocky. You show respect."

Dominika looked up at that before she smiled warmly. "Thank you, Tsu'tey."

He nodded as he kept his eyes elsewhere. "It's a good quality, nothing more."

Dominika merely continued smiling before she eventually finished eating. She brushed herself off and then looked at him. "So…where am I sleeping?"

Tsu'tey stood up before he offered his hand to her. "Follow."

Dominika took his hand and allowed him to help her up. "Is it where I slept last night?"

"No." He replied and led her back up the tree.

Dominika looked around as they went higher and higher up the tree. When Tsu'tey stopped, they were now in an area with many hammocks. "Oh…I see."

Tsu'tey glanced at her. "You will be beside me. We will wake at the same time for training."

As Tsu'tey began to head elsewhere, Dominika blinked as her cheeks heated up slightly. "What t-time is training?"

"When the sun rises." Tsu'tey said in a vague manner.

Dominika squinted in thought before she yelped when he picked her up and placed her on a large hammock. "Hey!"

Tsu'tey chuckled at her expression and stepped on it. "What? The Tsahik said to watch over you." He said with a smirk and then sat down.

Dominika blushed heavily. "H-Hold on, we're not sharing this, are we?"

"Is something wrong with that?" He cocked his head to the side.

"I'm…a female, you are a male." She gestured between them.

"Yes?" Tsu'tey stared at her.

"…We shouldn't be sharing a…hammock?" Dominika looked down…before she noticed how high up they were. She stared silently and then fiddled with her fingers in a nervous manner.

"What are you doing?" The male asked as he looked at her hands.

She looked back at him and released a heavy sigh. "I…don't like heights."

"You said you flew." Tsu'tey said as his eyes narrowed.

"I did. I flew with many others of my kind…until we were attacked. I managed to survive, but I fell that day…and I had to apologize to the families of the others that didn't survive." The woman quietly said as she slowly lay down.

Tsu'tey was quiet for a moment. "You fell?"

"Yes. I was very high up and…this device saved me. I was still hurt…but I was alive." Dominika said and closed her eyes.

The hunter examined her and noticed she didn't have many injuries. "I don't see anything."

"Not all wounds are visible, Tsu'tey." The redhead said and looked at him through half-opened eyes.

He looked back at her and glanced down. After a moment he gently took her hand and pulled her toward the middle. "If you fall, I fall…and I would not like to fall." He said in a neutral tone before he closed the top and then closed his eyes.

Dominika stared at him with wide eyes and looked at their hands before slowly smiling. "Thank you." She said softly before she closed her eyes.