Girl Time and Guy Time

The twins were a bit upset from the conversation with their mother last night. Nevertheless, they remained happy as ever that they could still spend time with Atuiko after she had put that nasty general in his place. They woke up early that morning and sat on the mangrove branches above the family hat, enjoying the sunrise.

Lo'ak wore their grandmother's wrap. Sylwa decided he should have a go wearing it.

"You both still wearing granny's wrap?" spooked a voice. They turned around and saw Kiri climbing up to join them. "You know it looks ridiculous on you, Lo'ak," she joked.

"That's not funny," he said.

"Where were you guys yesterday?" she asked.

"We were spending some time with Atuiko," Sylwa explained. "Anyways…what did you get up to?"

"Nothing much," she sighed away, drifting into thought.

"How did you do that?" asked Lo'ak.

Kiri turned to him. "Do what?"

"Sway your arms around and communicate with those little glowing sea squids?"

Sylwa elbowed him.

Kiri was embarrassed. "Were you two spying on me the other day in the Gill Mantle Pool?"

"No," Sylwa explained. "We just saw it happen. But it really was amazing. We're not judging you,"

"I don't know," Kiri sighed. "I just don't know,". She looked a little hurt.

"Kiri, sooner or later, they'll show us their sacred tree and when that happens…you'll talk to her,"

"I hope so,". Kiri longed more than anything to talk to her biological mother, Grace Augustine. Though she was treated with just as much love and affection as the other Sully children, she longed more than anything to speak to the mother whose avatar bore her.

"I would love it if I could talk to Aunt Sylwanin," Sylwanin wished for that.

"It would be so cool to talk to Grandpa," wondered Lo'ak. "Or anyone else in our family or someone our parents knew other than…you know,". He didn't want to mention Grace, not to upset Kiri at all.

Kiri chose to leave the scene, choosing to be alone for a while to reflect on personal things. The twins chose to leave again quickly before their dad or Neteyam could notice. To their delight, they saw Atuiko dashing over them. Like them, he had snuck away from his dad, desperate to get away from rules and watchful eyes.

"Hey guys," he waved.

"You got away," Lo'ak high-fived him.

"So nice when you can be free and have time to yourself," sighed Sylwa.

"Morning you three," Tsireya came walking gracefully over them.

"Morning Reya," Sylwa waved awkwardly.

"Hello," waved the boys.

"You guys seem to be in a happy mood today," she said.

"Well…uh…things just seem to be working out as we hoped they would," Sylwa chuckled, feeling embarrassed with her puffy cheeks.

"I know. I saw you two…" Reya gestured to the twins. "…teaching you. You two were excellent teachers,". The twins were surprised.

"Well can't take all the credit," Sylwa said. "You're the one who taught us all those skills,"

"I'm very proud of you two for sharing your skills," she said.

"I'm sorry I didn't ask you before to help me with my phobia," apologised Atuiko. "I was just afraid of embarrassing you,"

"You don't need to worry about that anymore," promised Reya. She looked excitedly at Sylwa. "How would you like to have some girl time?"

Sylwa was a little uncertain. "Are you sure? I mean don't you have…"

"Go on," Lo'ak whispered, pushing her a little forward.

"Um…sure," she forced herself to accept. "I'll catch up with you guys later,". She waved them off. The boys shared goofy grins as the girls walked off, Reya pulling Sylwa by the hand eagerly through the village.

"Where would you like to go?" asked Lo'ak as he took Atuiko's hand.

"Mind if we go swimming again?"

"Race you there," Lo'ak got a head start and they raced through the village, rushing past other Metikyena who were startled by their abrupt appearance. Lo'ak nearly tripped but he leapt over a basket and the boys bounced on the stretchy platforms like mad children.

Atuiko nearly bumped into a warrior but Lo'ak pulled him out of the way and they got back to the bouncing race till they would reach the beach. "Sorry!" They called back. They went back to the cove, they did swimming lessons in. They splashed around in the water, playing together. Up above, Roxto just stood still, incredibly jealous. He was put there to spy on Lo'ak on his dad's orders; he was not allowed to play with Aonung or the rest of their gang much to their irritation.

Sylwa followed Reya to the far side of the island. They came to a section of secluded rock pools.

"What are we doing here?" Sylwa asked curiously.

"I've been wanting to show them to you and your family but I wanted you to be the first," she smiled with a large grin.

"'Them'?"

Reya did a cheesy smile as a chorus of adorable coos filled the atmosphere. Sylwa turned her head and they saw a party of otter-like creatures which were blue and green with yellow streaks and large mermaid-like tails. They had the most adorable eyes Sylwa had ever seen. The babies made her heart elevate so high in her chest; she was afraid of dying of enjoyment. "They are so adorable," she cooed.

They knelt in front of the rock pools as they watched the Pandorian otters leap to and fro out of the water; the babies splashing around for fun. She clicked her tongue and reached her hand to touch. Some of the otters smelt it and they licked her fingers. She giggled. It tickled. Reya giggled seeing her so happy like this. "I thought you'd like them,"

"I love them," she said, pushing her hand further into the water. One of the babies walked upwards along her arm to her shoulders, making her laugh for joy. The otter licked her face. Soon all the otters crawled out of the pools onto her and she cheered for joy at being embraced by so much cuteness. Reya laughed too, whilst she stroked one of the otter babies and another one sat on her shoulders.

Nearby a group of girls, Tsireya's friends from before were watching with extreme jealousy. Ever since the Sullys had arrived, Tsireya had spent more time with the newcomers than them and they were incredibly green with envy watching her enjoying some girl time with Sylwa. Aonung and his goons with the exception of Roxto came over.

"Hey ladies," Aonung greeted but they weren't interested in them. They kept their eyes focused in another direction. "What are you looking at?" Still, they ignored him.

"Your sister is playing with the freak with the ugly mark," said one of his goons pointing towards the girls who flung water in each other's faces before swimming in the pools together with the cute otter creatures swimming alongside them on their backs. The girls swam on their backs and one of the otter cubs sat on Sylwa's stomach. She stroked it. And after exchanging a smile with Reya, the girls just burst into peals of laughter.

Lo'ak and Atuiko sat on the beach enjoying their freedom away from their strict dads and perfect brothers.

"It's so good just have guy time," said the kid. "You know you're lucky Lo'ak?"

"What?" he asked.

"All we have is this island and this reef," he looked at the borders of the reef of which no Metkyena was allowed to cross through, not unless for very necessary purposes. "You guys have so much forest back home. You guys must have had so many wonderful adventures during your childhood. Must have seen so many creatures there,"

The word creatures sent Lo'ak's mind spiralling into a blur. "How would you like to hear a story about a strange creature no one has ever seen before? One that saved my life,"

Atuiko hugged his knees. "Really? Tell me,"

"It all started about nearly nine years ago when I was a kid and my mother was expecting Tuk,"

The twins played with each other in the water with Neteyam, Kiri and Spider. Jake and Neytiri stood by, the mother holding her belly bump. Only about three months left until their fourth biological child was born.

Jake saw the sun setting. "Children, it's time to go!"

"Do we have to?" whined Lo'ak.

"Can't we stay a bit longer?" Sylwa pleaded.

"Chlidren," Neytiri whistled. "It's time for your bedtime,"

"And your mother needs her rest for your baby brother or sister," Jake patted her belly bump, showing a heartfelt smile with her.

"Bye Spider!" Kiri waved.

"See ya!' waved Neteyam.

Lo'ak and Sylwa exchanged nods with their best friend and he rushed off to head back to the human labs. The parents took their sons and daughters back to their hut in the trees. Neytiri prepared some dinner and the children ate their meals calmly. Soon it was a nightmare and to Jake and Neytiri's surprise, they all fell asleep instantly. Minutes later they were asleep, the former's arm draped over his mate's belly bump.

Lo'ak's eyes opened. When he saw his parents asleep, he rose up slowly and whispered, "Sylwa, they're asleep. Let's go,"

Sylwa followed her brother as they climbed out of the hut and down the trees. They dashed back to their playing spot in the forest and there they found Spider waiting for them.

"Ready for another night-time adventure?" Spider asked ecstatically.

"Yes," they said.

They climbed through the forests together, swinging on vines, passing by glowing flora and fan lizards that spun around in circles over their heads, making the twins laugh for joy.

"We're so gonna be in trouble for this," said Spider.

"Trouble is our middle name," Lo'ak acknowledged, his twin approving. They came to a section of the river where they saw glowing algae underwater.

"Let's play hide-and-seek," Sylwa suggested. "I seek first. And don't go too far," she told the boys.

"We won't," Lo'ak crossed his fingers.

"One. Two…" As Sylwa covered her eyes and counted, the boys dashed off in separate directions. Spider found a climb and climbed upwards like a spider, hence his name.

Lo'ak quickly crossed the river and hid in a patch of bushes. He peered through the leaves.

"Ten! Coming ready or not!" cried out his twin's voice.

He peered through quietly and watched as she sought for him and Spider, staying on her side of the river. He smirked. He was gonna try and be the winner of this hide-and-seek game. By cheating. He snuck away from the bushes and a short distance away towards a log. He climbed inside, sniggering. "I'm so gonna win this game," he leaned just a little to the left and suddenly the entire log started tumbling down a hill. He screamed, feeling the bark of the outside bashing with some trees and then…crack.

It broke in half and …splash!

Water flooded the log. Lo'ak felt himself being flushed out into the river. He splashed underwater and swam up, trying to keep himself afloat with his legs, gasping for breath. He tried to swim to the nearby shore but the current was too strong. "Help!" he cried. "Help!". The river carried him further away from home but eventually the current grew weaker and he was able to swim weakly to shore. He coughed for life. But he was freezing cold. He climbed out weakly, finding himself in a huge, secluded spot of old logs and grass patches. He didn't know where he was now. He tumbled quite a long distance away from him. He was scared. Boom! His heart jumped at the sound of lightning. He looked up at the dark sky and saw rain pouring down on him. He needed to find shelter.

Spider and Sylwa took shelter under some large tree roots. They had searched ages for Lo'ak and had yet to find him. They couldn't go looking for him in this storm. It was too dangerous for children. They needed to wait for it to pass.

"This is all my fault," cried Sylwa. "All my fault,"

"It's okay. It's okay," Spider scooted over and hugged her tightly. "It's gonna be okay. He's gonna be okay. We're gonna find him,"

The young Lo'ak stumbled away from the river trying to find shelter but as the ground turned muddy, he tripped and he went tumbling down a mound, scratching his leg against a rock. He cried in pain, sitting up against a tree. Loud growls came from the bushes. His ears flicked up. He twisted his head around, his heartbeat increasing with his fear. Just then he saw pairs of eyes. And then rows of sharp teeth. A group of viper wolves came out of the shadows. They came close to him, like a predator on prey, wanting to eat him. Lo'ak hugged his knees and closed his eyes. "I'm gonna wake up. I'm gonna wake up. I'm gonna wake up,". He wanted to open them again and that this was all just a bad dream but it wasn't other. He could feel the breath of those creatures drawing closer to him.

Suddenly from out of the bushes pranced a powerful creature with four legs and sharp teeth. It swiped at the nearest Viperwolf with its long tail of long tendrils, bashing it against the tree. The Viperwolves growled and tried to attack it but it swiped back. It was strong and mighty and much bigger than them. Lo'ak opened his eyes and saw the strange creature unleashing its powerful roar, shooting little darts from its mouth. The Viperwolves cowered away into the dark and his rescuer unleashed a powerful roar from jaws before it growled loudly, warning them to never come back.

Lo'ak pressed his bag against the trunk, scared to death. He wanted intently as the creature turned towards him, looking at him with his long horse-like face and yellow eyes that mimicked his. It came forward, sniffing him. He panicked at its huge size. It seemed to be about fourteen feet tall. Was it gonna eat him? As it drew closer, he closed his eyes, afraid for his life. But it didn't devour him. It was licking his bleeding leg. After a few licks, the wound was sealed. He watched as it sat down in front of him like a passionate puppy. He realised it was a kind, caring creature. "You're not going to eat me,"

The creature leaned forward, sitting on all fours. Lo'ak saw its mane was long and green like long leaves and it had a braid very similar to his own. It didn't want to harm him. It had saved his life and it had cleaned his wound.

"H…H…hello," he said. "Do you know where I am?"

The creature bawled. The kid sneezed and he froze. The creature sat down on its back feet again and gestured to its back. It offered one of his webbed strong feet. Lo'ak was unsure. The creature brailed kindly. It meant him no harm. Perhaps it could take him to shelter. Reluctantly he stood up slowly and the creature gently pushed him onto its back. It then stood up and began stalking through the forest. Lo'ak fell asleep on its back.

The creature carried him gently through the forest. No predators dared to come anywhere near it. It walked gently up some slopes and they came to the foot of some floating mountains. As Lo'ak opened his eyes, his heart jumped seeing the floating pieces of ginormous rock above. Were they going to climb?

His luck came again when he realised that the creature was taking him to a cave hidden just above the boundaries of the forest. As they entered inside, they saw some fauna growing on the walls glowed inside. The creature took Lo'ak to the back of the cave and to the kid's surprise, there was a nest of large leaves and flowers. And inside it was a baby creature. Just like the one he was riding on. Unlike the mother, which was light blue, this one was sea green. It perked its ears up seeing Lo'ak. The mother laid down on all fours allowing Lo'ak to climb off and sit in the nest.

The baby stood up and sniffed him. He became scared again. But it licked his face. He giggled. "You're adorable," he patted his face. The baby cooed. It licked its face against like a dog. It playfully made him fall on his back and he chuckled for joy. "Stop it. Please," he begged. But the baby was having too much fun.

The mother neighed gently and the baby allowed Lo'ak back up. Lo'ak watched intently as the mother walked over towards the entrance and stared out for any sort of danger. Though the cave was well-hidden, there were no limits a mother would take to protect her baby. She came back towards them and rotated around them and lay behind them. Then a long appendage along her rib cage expanded outwards, covering Lo'ak and the baby like a blanket. She then laid her long snake-like tail around them and laid her head down. The baby laid down, cuddling up to Lo'ak. He had never felt so cosy in his life.

"Thank you," he said.

The mother gave him a kind look before she closed her eyes. He yawned and laid down, the baby keeping him warm as well. He prayed that somehow Spider and Sylwa were safe. He wished he had never got himself into that message. He just hoped his family would find him soon.

The girls sunbathed with the otters for a few hours before they collected shells together.

"Your sister will love that," Tsireya gave her a purple shell.

"This will make a perfect necklace for her," Sylwa used a piece of thin seaweed to make a necklace. "I'll make sure to tell her you found it,". Tsireya giggled. "How would you like me to teach you how to use a bow and arrow?"

Tsireya was surprised by the request. "I would love that,"

"I'll be right back," Sylwa dashed through the village towards her family's empty hut. She found her bow and arrows. Making sure none of her family was nearby, she began to make her way back to Tsireya. She was almost at the beach when suddenly a girl, one of the teens who made fun of her before, appeared out of nowhere. "Excuse me," she tried to get past but the girls swerved in front of her. "You mind moving?"

The girl just glared at her. Then the other girls appeared from their hiding spots, surrounding her. "Hey. I don't want any trouble,". All they did was glare at her. "You girls got a problem?"

"You think you can sway Tsireya into spending all her free time with you?" sneered one behind her.

"Hey. I'm not doing anything. And don't get mad at me, she's just been teaching me and my family as her father said,"

A girl swiped her weapons from her. "Hey. Give those back,"

"You're such a freak," said another. "With your disgusting four fingers," she grabbed a hand.

She pulled them free. "Don't touch me,". A girl poked her back, making her winch. "Leave me alone,"

"You're so ugly," another said. "And clothes aren't enough for you," she pulled on her skirt snapping a seaweed.

"Stop it," begged Sylwa angrily.

"You'll never be one of us," a girl pulled again on her skirt.

They tore her skirt apart and they suddenly snatched at her bikini top, tearing it apart, pulling the seashells and the pearl off.

"Stop it!" she pleaded in tears.

"OH, are you crying?" the leader said. "Is the freak crying?"

"You need your brother to defend you, scaredy fish," another tormented.

They tore her top apart and she covered her chest with her long hair before they swiped Tsireya's flower out of her hair. They laughed, all pointing fingers at her. Their loud laughing made her shudder. She couldn't defend herself. She was helpless. Before any of them could snap her precious bow in front of her, a loud voice erupted startling them. "Enough!"

They all turned around and saw a furious Tsireya marching upon them, red in the face. All but Sylwa stiffened. "Tsireya…" the one with the bow was embarrassed to speak. "We were just…"

"Give me that," the princess snatched the bow and arrows back and came over to her.

"Are you all right?" she asked. Sylwa couldn't show her tear-stricken face to them. She glared at everyone who held pieces of her torn clothes in their hands. "I'm ashamed of you all. How could you treat her like this?"

"Why do you spend time with her? You've barely had any time for us," complained the leader.

"I've been teaching her and her family as my father instructed,"

"But you didn't join us today like you said you would,"

Tsireya realised she was right and cursed herself for forgetting. Nevertheless, she remained bitter as ever. "And you think that's an excuse to torment her like that?" She snapped. "Give me those," she snatched back the shredded pieces of clothing from her group of five mean girls. "Until you apologise to her and stop calling her a freak, I will no longer be your friend,". She guided her poorly treated friend away, giving one last cold glare at her former friends.

Sunlight stretched into the cave. The mother creature yawned, stretching out its legs before folding its aerofoils back into its body. The baby woke up too. Lo'ak was still asleep. The baby licked his face. He woke up, giggling. "Your licks are so ticklish," the baby played around with him.

The mother smiled seeing the boy she had rescued and her baby playing together. She neighed at her baby communicating with him. Lo'ak didn't know what they were saying. But it seemed as if she was telling him to take care of him whilst she walked out of the cave. Probably to find food.

After she left the cave, the baby and the kid began playing around the cave, playing hide and catch behind stalagmites and stalactites. They even played tricks and Lo'ak rolled around on his back and the baby did too. They were forming a quick bond with one another.

Spider and Sylwa had slept in their shelter during the night. But now they were looking for Lo'ak again, hoping they'd find him soon "Lo'ak! Lo'ak!" cried out the girl twin.

"Lo'ak!" Spider called out too. "Come on bro," he was scared for him.

Just they heard the loud shuffling of leaves. Spider stood in front of Sylwa, afraid it might be a wild animal but out of the bushes appeared….

"Dad!" Sylwa flew into his arms, crying.

"It's okay," Jake hugged her tight. "It's okay. I'm here," he saw Spider. "You're okay kid?"

He nodded.

"Sylwa!" Neytiri appeared, panting for life with her belly bump. Jake had insisted she'd stay behind with her mother and the other children whilst he went to find the twins.

"Mum!" Sylwa rushed into her arms.

"Thank goodness you're safe,". Suddenly she threw into a fit of rage. "What were you and your brother thinking?! Disappearing like that?"

"Where's Lo'ak?" Jake asked her.

Sylwa couldn't answer. She was too nervous.

"We were playing hide and seek," Spider spoke up. "And we couldn't find him,"

"You lost him?!" screeched Neytiri at Spider. She really disliked this kid. "You brought my children out here during the night and you mean to tell us you've lost our son!"

"It wasn't his fault!" Sylwa cried. "It was mine. I didn't think this would happen. But we lost him and it's my fault and I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," she burst into tears. Spider rushed over and hugged him tightly.

"Take them back home," said Jake. "I'll find Lo'ak,"

Not the kid. Neytiri hissed. He belongs with his own kid.

Spider knew exactly what she said. He felt crushed. He really didn't understand why she didn't like him. He had been nothing but kind and generous and loving to her children. And yet she treated him like he was like the same people who killed her father and destroyed her birth home.

Just for today. Jake implored Neytiri. I'll find Lo'ak. He dashed off into the forest and Neytiri took the tearful Sylwa and the rejected Spider back to the hut where they were instantly embraced by her elder siblings.

That's another chapter done. What did you all think? So Lo'ak was saved by a mysterious creature as a boy and Tsireya's friends, or former friends now, tormented Sylwa so cruelly that Tsireya ended her friendship with them. I hope you enjoyed their girl time so far. Also, there was meant to be a scene where Tuktiery played with the Pandorian sea otters in Avatar 2 but it was deleted. Also, thank you very much to those who sent over ideas in reviews. They look like great additions to the story. Please keep sending reviews and ideas to everyone. Thank you all very much for your support. See you all later.