"Today we send off six of our young hunters, ready to brave the ocean and return to us, to our clan, as warriors."

Neteyam stood alongside Lo'ak as they watched from the crowd as Tonowari addressed the young Metkayina. "My son-" the chief said, stepping forward and placing a heavy hand on Aonung's shoulder, addressing him.

His mate straightened up and met his father's eye, pressing his lips together firmly.

"-make me proud."

Aonung nodded and tensed his fists, bearing the burden of the eldest son with pride. Tsireya raced up to him next and jumped into his arms, sobbing loudly. Neteyam had never seen her in such a state before, as she didn't even protest at the way her curls were being smushed down under Aonung's hold. "I'll miss you, brother," she cried, clutching him tighter. Aonung rubbed her back and held her close.

"It is only three days, 'Reya," he consoled, patting her hair.

"I know," she bemoaned, sniffling, "but I will still miss you."

At his side, Neteyam just knew his brother was rolling his eyes but he did not turn to see it. He was too focused on trying not to panic and drag Aonung away, back to their marui, where nothing could hurt the two of them.

Three days seemed a lot more dangerous now than it did before.

As if sensing his unease, Ronal parted through the crowd, a basket at her hip as her tail swished behind her in the sand. The gathered soon-to-be warriors all straightened up at her presence and looked ahead. Her face was so stern she could rival that of even Mo'at.

"Aonung," she greeted, dipping her fingers into the basket. Her son stiffened and nervously dipped his head down in respect.

Her long teal fingers came out covered in pale white paint, traditionally blessed for travel. She hummed firmly and brought them up to Aonung's forehead, drawing them down in a straight line between his eyes, to the flat of his nose. "Kulat atan afyawusìntxu sì aysyawn ma Eywa."

It was a strong, powerful prayer, not one to be spoken lightly.

Aonung looked up and met her gaze. "Irayo Nawm Sa'nok."

She nodded and stepped aside, moving on to the next warrior. The line was drawn and the prayers were said, each Metkayaina received the blessing nervously and offered their thanks before turning away. But to Neteyam, there was just Aonung.

The spear he held in his hands was bare, only holding the marks of a hunter. But it was the spear his mate would carry for the rest of his life. Tonowari's on the other hand, was marked with intricate carvings and notches, beads were engraved into the wood with great care while the head was wrapped in a string of shells. A weapon fit for a chief. Yet each day Aonung was out on the water with Ato'k and the other hunters, he too would adorn it with a marker. No doubt by the time he took his father's place as Olo'eyktan, it would be just as marvelous.

Sometimes it was hard for Neteyam to believe he could truly have such a mate. Yet here Aonung stood, tall and proud in the sand, wearing the traditional war paint of his tribe, prepared to risk it all, simply to be Neteyam's mate. It nearly broke him.

Neteyam's attention was drawn back once more when the ceremonial canoes began to be hoisted out. Six canoes for six warriors. It reminded Neteyam of the barnacles on Aonung's song chord that his father had polished. That would be his canoe now, Neteyam realized as Ronal marked the largest boat with a swirl of paint to bless it.

But that meant it was almost time for them to leave. Drum beats broke out in preparation and many families reached out to say their last farewells, and suddenly Neteyam couldn't stand it anymore. He darted through the crowd and launched himself at Aonung.

His mate stumbled back at the force until he realized it was his Neteyam who had just barreled into him and swung him up into a fierce embrace. Off to the side, Tonowari noted them with interest but said nothing, only offering his hand to shake that of the parents who were bidding their children farewell.

Neteyam clung to him with all his strength and buried his face into the taller boy's neck as he was lifted off the ground. Fuck, he wasn't prepared if this was the last time he would ever see his mate.

"Come back to me," Neteyam begged, pressing their foreheads together as the sound of the conch shell rang out, announcing their departure.

Aonung pressed his forehead back, ignoring the paint that had surely been smeared across the two of them, and stared into the deep gold of Neteyam's eyes. "Always."

Day one

Neteyam stood by the shore until the canoes disappeared against the horizon and all the other families had left. One arm wrapped around his midsection as he felt the breeze drift over his skin pleasantly, clinking the beads of his braids together. By now the tulkuns had surely joined the hunters and were swimming alongside the canoes.

The loneliness of the beach seemed to consume Neteyam for a moment. He forced his eyes shut and took in the best inhale he could imagine- only to sag into the presence of another warm body.

"Lo'ak," he breathed out, feeling his brother wrap an arm around his shoulder.

"Come on bro, Mom wants you back at the hut."

Neteyam nodded but couldn't help but stay standing, eyes still on the sea line, as if he could will Aonung to return by thought alone. Lo'ak sighed and tightened his grip, allowing Neteyam to lean against him. "He'll be fine Neteyam," he encouraged, holding him close. "You know he will. Besides, staring at the water won't make him come back any faster. We need you."

Neteyam sighed and nodded. He was right, he couldn't fall apart just because his mate was away, he couldn't be that obvious. "Okay," he admitted, feeling some relief come from his brother. "You're right, let's go."

The hours passed by relatively quickly.

Neteyam found himself walking through the village absentmindedly in the warm sun. He had completed all of his duties and was unsure of where he belonged now. The air felt nice against his skin and he observed a few Metkayina children fighting over what looked to be a carved tulkun. A small smile graced his face. He remembered how Lo'ak and Kiri used to argue endlessly over a painted toruk toy back in their treetop home. The two had gotten into a fair amount of trouble over the language that was used on those days.

Neteyam was surprised at how easy life for him seemed within the reef. It was like his second home now, the familiar teal of the people far less strange than it was when he first arrived.

Deciding to craft a new bracelet for Tuk, Neteyam wandered down to the beach thinking about what shells she might like. The one she currently wore was getting too small and Neteyam often remarked that she was growing faster than the pxiwll that sprung up around the sides of their marui.

After gathering a few clear shells from the sand Neteyam turned his attention toward the cove. Tucking the material he already had into the little pouch on his hip, he called for an ilu, wading into the shallow water with ease.

Perhaps he could find some kelp to make the bracelet sturdier this time, that way it would not need replacing every few months she seemed to shoot up in height. At his call, the nearest sea creature floated its way over at his side, spinning lazily in the shallow water. Its antennae were already bound so he could grip on but Neteyam didn't bother with a saddle. Instead, he mounted it's slick back and gave a few experimental spins before connecting tsaheylu.

The ilu cricked a few times in response, breathing low in its long neck, as it adjusted to Neteyam's presence before settling in the water and allowing him to guide it forward. Neteyam slid his hand across the blue skin caressing its back soothingly, bringing his three fingers to stroke down the white freckles. It cooed and bobbed its head a few times in enjoyment. The Omaticaya smiled at the reaction and scratched under its jaw just for good measure.

But after a few more strokes Neteyam could feel its antsiness to move around so he pressed his chest down and together they dove beneath the waves.

The cool of the water helped to calm his mind yet the teal of the world below him only served as a reminder of the one he missed the most. The ilu performed a few more lazy spins, and Neteyam to the moment to observe the beauty of Awa'atlu's waters.

Away from the deep sea, schools of silver fish meandered about, darting amongst both themselves and the coral. Light filtered in from above and Neteyam urged the ilu forward scattering the little creatures as he swam through them, bubbles flying everywhere. It reminded him of his first day at the reef, learning to breathe and adapt to a new life.

As he dove, Neteyam curved to the side and reached out his hand so that it picked up sand along the wave. A smile graced his features as he leaned back and headed up to the air. Within his palm was a myriad of shells, some cracked into pieces and others whole and unblemished. A particular pink one caught his eye and he tucked it, along with a few others into the leather pouch before letting the rest filter back down into the water and rest in the sand.

Neteyam let the sun warm his back as centered his breathing for a few more seconds. After a firm inhale just as Tsireya had taught him, he found the courage to dive deeper. As he passed the bluer waters dark kelp twined around itself near the seafloor and the ilu wove through it as Neteyam pulled out his knife and cut a few strands. They would be perfect for Tuk's bracelet.

He was about to find the surface once more when something glowing caught his eye. Actually, it was a group of glowing things. Pearls. Nestled deep within the rocks a few feet to his left was a bed of gray clams, open and reflecting the light from above.

Piak si clams. The very ones that adorned his right bicep, the same kind as the one that Neteyam had thrown back at Aonung after Lo'ak had been left beyond the reef. And the same one that Aonung had gifted back to him, set in leather that was woven in a style all of its own, entwined with care and promises that Aonung would always love him. Neteyam knew what he needed to do.

By the time he dragged himself back to shore the pouch at his hip was full of shells, and tucked carefully amongst the leather was a single glowing pearl. Round and shiny, it was almost pink in its brightness when the sun shone upon it under the waves.

It was perfect.

Day two

Neteyam woke missing Aonung's warmth. He wanted nothing more than for his mate to cuddle him closer and whisper soft words into his ear and tell him about his day. But life did not stop just because he was away.

As he moved, Neteyam tucked the pearl and the weaving strings he had been using under his mat for the day. No one needed to know what he was doing. Tuk on the other hand, had been ecstatic with her new bracelet. She touched the pink shells in wonder and loudly proclaimed to anyone who would listen exactly who had made it for her the rest of the afternoon. Despite his modesty, Neteyam could not help but grin every time his bossy little sister dragged him by the arm to go show a new person her bracelet.

"'Teyam made it for me all by himself!" she would announce until Neytiri had scooped her up and reminded the youngest Sully it was not polite to brag. Even then Neteyam had smiled because the whole village was so fond of her he doubted anyone could find fault in her excitement. Even Tonowari could not help but ruffle her little braids when she skipped up to show him the new shells.

Neteyam wondered when the Olo'eyktan's newest child was due, Ronal seemed near bursting at this point, waddling around and glaring at anyone who dared get in her way. It was amusing because the more she scowled, the more her mate doted on her. Tonowari now always seemed a step behind, following her around like a lost palulukan, offering sweet berries or water wherever she turned. Neteyam had no doubt he would be an amazing parent to this new child as well.

Shaking his head, Neteyam quickly fastened his cummerbund and began to make his way down to the beach to where he and his father were training. The weight of the spear no longer caused such pain and he was proud to see his muscles improving, only furthering his lithe and deadly form.

"Neteyam!" his father greeted him, smiling at his son as he approached. Neteyam smiled back, allowing his father to squeeze his shoulder.

Jake had been better following his injury, softer. Gone were the days when each command was an order to be followed out exactly with no room for fault. Crinkles now formed at the corner of his eyes whenever he smiled, observing his family every night before gathering them all into a pile like he had when they were all children, despite Lo'ak and Kiri's protests. Deep down he knew his brother loved it too. So much had been lost on them as soldiers rather than sons. Now the two boys no longer flinched when a heavy hand was laid on their shoulders. Instead they leaned into it, seeking comfort.

"How are we feeling today," his father asked good-naturedly, testing the weight of Neteyam's spear.

Neteyam smiled up at his dad and stretched out his muscles. "Good," he responded, observing the targets set up in the sand. "I feel stronger."

Jake grinned and tossed him back the weapon. "That's what I like to hear."

The next hour went by easily. The satisfying thunk of his spear filled the sand as the weapon sunk again and again into the woven targets. His aim was considerably better than when he started and he glowed under his father's praise.

"That-! " Toruk Makto exclaimed in excitement after a particularly good throw on Neteyam's part, "is how you throw a spear."

Neteyam panted at the excretion of the launch but beamed. Both of them studied where the spear was embedded dead center through the target, many meters away.

"Well done!" he repeated, almost knocking Neteyam over with a particularly hard slap to the back. He apologized quickly and sent Neteyam to retrieve the weapon.

"You think you could get a good distance on that in the air, boy?" he asked on Neteyam's return, eyeing the spear before looking up at the clouds. Neteyam could see an idea forming behind his eyes but couldn't place what it was exactly

He considered it for a moment. "I don't know," he settled on. "With the right angle I suppose I could."

Jake hummed, his brows furrowed in thought. "I guess we'll see." Neteyam didn't have time to question what that meant before his dad was already off, mumbling something about patrol and other duties. The eldest Sully stood in the sand a moment longer before shrugging and returning to the marui.

By the time evening rolled around, Neytiri had roped Lo'ak into letting her re-braid his hair while Jake showed Neteyam how to sharpen his spear by the light of the fire.

"You see here?" he pointed, still holding the sharpening stone. "You want to bring it along the edge and press down."

Neteyam nodded and balanced the spear in his own lap, repeating the motion. It was soothing in a way, the sparks of the fire crackling as the sound of the blade filled the marui. He had seen his father do this many times and now it was his turn.

He heard his brother grumble to the side and Neteyam turned to see him watching.

"Do you wanna try baby bro?" he offered, observing the not-so-hidden longing in his brother's face.

Neteyam watched Lo'ak's eyes physically light up. "Really?" he asked, scamping out from their mother's hold and rushing over. Neytiri hissed lightly at the mess it caused to his braids but smiled at the interaction between her two sons.

"Yeah sure. Here, hold it just like Dad was showing me."

Lo'ak took the offered spear eagerly and ran his fingers over it. "Wow," he breathed. Neteyam grinned and ruffled his braids, earning him an annoyed huff. "Come on," the oldest brother relented, handing him the stone. "Show me what you got."

The night was comfortable. Perfect even. Yet still a part of Neteyam ached for his mate, wondering what it would be like to have a family with him. A marui all to themselves. A shiver ran down his back. There were a lot of things they would do if they had a marui all to themselves.

By the time the fire had died down and his family had fallen asleep, Neteyam snuck out to the walkways and sat down, his back to the marui door. Above him, the sky was a beautiful mass of stars and constellations, each with its own pattern and story. He let out a long exhale and dropped his head back to observe it all. Was it the same view Aonung had right now, he thought to himself?

Under the light of Eywa, Neteyam began to work on a new piece, this time setting the pearl he had caught into something special. His heart pounded nervously the whole time he wove, his fingers moving anxiously. A courting gift had to be special, it had to be done right.

With each stitch of the traditional choker, Neteyam's mind drifted to Aonung.

'Great Mother,' he prayed to the open sky, 'please keep him safe.'

Somewhere far off in the ocean, his mate whispered something similar.

Day three

Training was different that day. Neteyam had almost finished his chores when he had been summoned to the chief's marui by another warrior. Upon entering, Jake dropped an arm around his son and pulled him in.

Nervous to be around the Olo'eyktan, Neteyam dipped his head respectfully and brought his hand to his forehead.

"I see you, Tonowari," he stuttered out quickly.

The chief quirked up his lips and returned the motion. "And you, Neteyam."

Jake handed him his spear and Neteyam grasped it nervously. "Thank you, for allowing me to train with the spear," he said finally, hoping that was a good reply.

Both Jake and Tonowari chuckled, the elder man's eyes sparkling with humor. "Of course. You are a warrior in your own right, I do not see why that should change simply because you reside here now."

His easy acceptance caught Neteyam off guard but he tried not to show it. Saying thank you again seemed unnecessary so he just settled on nodding. In front of them was a table with a blank sheet of dried kelp. Upon it lay a crudely drawn map of the reef and a blocked-off portion that represented the island.

Neyetaym looked up questioningly at his father and received a grin in return.

"You're coming on patrol with us."

Neteyam flew over the waves on ikran-back observing the docks below. Tonowari was already in the water, straddling the large mount that was his tsurak. Beside him, three other warriors were ready, spears in hand and all saddled up. Jake boarded his own winged sea creature and shouted up to his son who was circling above them.

"Try to keep up!"

And with that, they were off. Neteyam kept the COM open on his neck so that he could listen to his father's instructions. The first span of the reed was laid out before them and Neteyam watched from the sky as the tsuraks dove down to gain momentum before bursting out from the water, all teeth and wings.

A few of the warriors let out a whoop of excitement while his father and Tonowari kept their eyes forward and faces set.

Neteyam guided Tsyalè downward and she twisted her wings in until they were level with the other riders.

Jake's voice came in through his earpiece and Neteyam drew his focus ahead to where his dad was speaking. "Alright son, I want you to scout ahead and get some speed before reporting back to us. Copy that?"

"Yes sir," Neteyam radioed, holding the button down on his throat. With a jerk of his arm, he signaled Tsyalè forward. Like a bullet, the pair shot off from the rest of the pack and rapidly gained altitude.

Neteyam could see why an ikran-rider would be a valuable asset to patrol. From his vantage point, he could see miles ahead of the sea-bound riders, no obstacles in his path.

After clearing the area, the Omaticaya circled back, locating the party. He re-opened the COM channel as he began to descend. "All clear, sir."

From below, he could see Jake nod before signaling something to the other riders. "Good, get down here."

Neteyam shifted his grip on his spear and repositioned in the saddle before commanding Tsyalè to fly low. The pair descended easily and Neteyam dodged a few waves before keeping pace next to his father. Staying a few heads above the warriors to give his ikran space to flap her wings, he held formation, keeping his spear aimed at his side just as his father had taught him.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Tonowari give his father an approving nod gesturing to the boy and the ikran with a pleased smile. Pride bloomed in the young Na'vi's chest.

The group stayed together for the rest of the patrol with Jake only occasionally sending his son to scout ahead and report back. The feeling of freedom that came along with holding his spear only increased when he was airborne.

Once the entire reef had been circled, Tonowari held his spear out and pointed toward the docks. Jake relayed the command through his earpiece and by the time Neteyam and his ikran had landed, the tsuraks were already docking their riders.

He easily dismounted from his saddle and held the green of Tsyalè's kuru for only a moment longer before disconnecting them. She nudged him affectionately before taking back off for the inner island cliffs, leaving her rider to face the approaching chief and his father alone.

To his surprise, it was the Tonowari and not Jake who placed a finned hand on his shoulder. The weight was heavy but Neteyam wore it with pride.

The Olo'eyktan nodded with a proud smile and looked down at him. "You did well son."

Neteyam's tail flicked back and forth behind him with unfiltered excitement at the praise and it made Tonowari chuckle.

The taller man leaned in so that just Neteyam could hear him and gave him a gentle smile. "You are a good match for my boy."

And then the hand disappeared, leaving Neteyam stunned and his ears turning red. He barely had any time to comprehend what he just said when a loud horn rang out through the village.

The same horn that rang when his family had first approached the village of Awa'atlu.

Exclamations of celebration broke out all around him and Neteyam felt his heart drop to his stomach completely. His head whipped around, smacking his braids across his neck as more and more people took off towards the beaches. Many of the warriors on the dock shouted happily the sound and took to their tskuraks ready to help bring in the canoes. The excitement in the air was palpable as the horn continued to ring.

The warriors had returned.