"Ma'Jake," Neytiri snapped. "We need to stop." They circled the dozens of reef islands on the south side for about three hours. Every day for the last three months, it was all the same. Neytiri and Jake would go out on patrol together, armed and ready to fight if even a ripple of the ocean looked off at them. But no ripples looked off, no ships on the horizon, and all was calm on the western front.

Three months.

"Ma'Jake," Neytiri said a little softer. "Please. No one is coming. They are all gone."

"We don't know that," Jake said darkly. "They could be out there waiting."

People grieve in different ways; for Lo'ak, he did not eat. This worried his parents, watching him waste away. He was a hard-headed child, and no matter how many times Neytiri snapped at him to eat, he didn't. For Tuk, she found comfort in the arms of Kiri or Jake and even Spider. Still, she never went to Lo'ak, and he never asked, and she never went to Neytiri, even when she asked. Tuk did not want her mother to sing to her; she did not want her mother to hug her. She smiled, but conversations were limited. Kiri spent her days sleeping and her nights walking the sandy beach of the reef. Neytiri once found her missing from her bed. After she dashed outside screaming her daughter's name, waking the whole village, she found Kiri wading in the moonlit ocean, the water up to her chest.

Neytiri found comfort in tending to her children. She thought if she paid more attention to them if they knew she was there for them, none of them would leave her. They would stay forever. She thought he would still be here if she had given Neteyam everything he needed and more. She insisted, no, demanded that Jake stop training Lo'ak to be a fighter—that was the reason why Neteyam was gone; he thought he was invincible. She demanded, no, commanded that they leave all their guns and weapons with the scientists because a gun was what killed Neteyam. She wanted all the humans away from them because they were why Neteyam was dead.

And when Jake said, "No," Neytiri roared against him. She screamed at him in the waters away from the islands. She shot him dark looks when others were around. She slept away from him if she could even sleep at all. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the blood running down the corner of her son's mouth. She saw his eyes look past her. She heard screaming, so loud that the memory of it hurt her ears. She couldn't escape it; no matter how far away in her mind she went or which dark corner she wrapped herself in, the screaming followed. Like a shadow, it was always there.

Jake found his…coping in his patrols. All day and all night, for months, he would ride his ilu through the waters, two guns strapped to his back. Most of the time, Neytiri did not go with him; she did not want to feel like she was talking to herself when she asked him questions. Most of these days, she felt as if she was by herself, raging against whatever wave of emotions threatened to breach her surface.

Today, Neytiri rode an ilu borrowed from Ronal and went on patrol with Jake. The sun was dimming by the time she started talking. The crisp coolness of the ocean was sending shivers down her spine.

"We need to stop," she repeated.

"We don't need to stop. We need to keep going."

"There is no one else here," Neytiri said. "We can continue patrolling, but we don't need to be this far out. It is not healthy."

"Health comes second to safety."

What did that mean? Neytiri didn't believe Jake even knew what he said. He was just…talking. Ranting. Sayings like, "I have to keep this family safe," "They could still be out there," and "Just because he's gone, doesn't mean they are all gone. They'd come back for vengeance."

Jake said nothing as their ilus continued to snake through the water; he snapped his head in every direction. By the time they returned home, sweat dripped down Neytiri's back, cresting her brow. After Neytiri got off, Ronal's ilu ducked under the water, disappearing into the dark depths. The people of the village did not react to her walking past, but she knew they were well aware of her presence. Her feet sunk into the hot sand, but she liked the filling of it between her toes. It gave her something to focus on, to let her know that she was there. This was all real.

"Mama," Tsireya alerted Ronal of Neytiri's presence as she walked into the Healer's tent. Ronal looked up ever so slightly to see Neytiri walking past them.

"Go help your brother," Ronal said to her daughter. Without any argument, Tsireya quickly got up and disappeared from the tent. Ronal patted the spot where her daughter sat. "Come sit."

"Ronal—"

"Come sit, Neytiri," she insisted. "Let me look at you." Slowly, very slowly, Neytiri turned to see her. She sat on the plush pillow seat Tsireya was on, made of sea sponges and kelp. Ronal took hold of Neytiri's chin and turned her face this way, examining her arms and hands.

"What are you looking for?"

"Stress lines," she said quietly. "A sign that you should take some time for yourself."

"Well, then," Neytiri responded. "My face should be enough." In the last three months, Neytiri saw herself go from the young, vibrant woman she was, even with the Sky Demons on Pandora, to being the 'croon' she was. Everything on her hurt: her back, her head, her feet…her heart. Always her heart.

"How are you feeling?" Ronal asked, her voice as soft as the ocean breeze that came into the tent. The other healers were working on other patients, moving their hands across their bodies. Neytiri did not pay an iota of attention to them.

"Fine," she said bluntly. "I am fine."

"You are not fine," Ronal dug in her basket. "But you will get there."

Ronal handed Neytiri a little pouch of salve. She was to rub it on the soles of her feet to relieve the tension in her body at night. When she told her new friend about her insomnia, Ronal was quick to action, explaining how she felt when her mother passed away. Neytiri did not want to think of any more death; it was too close, too much of a companion with her these days.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Ronal asked softly when Neytiri didn't respond. "I am all ears."

Neytiri took a breath, then another one, then one more. Laughing could be heard as some of the children of the village ran past the tent. They tried to snatch each other's tails in the form of the "Grab Me" game Neytiri used to play in her village. Neytiri recognized some of the children; they were some of Tuk's friends. One of them, a little girl named Yaya, stopped running long enough to turn around. Her tail wagged in the wind.

"Come Tuk," she shouted. "We have to get them!"

Yaya ran away. Neytiri waited, and seconds later, Tuk came scrolling past the Healer's tent, her arms folded across her chest and her head down. She kicked at the stones in the sand. She did not notice Neytiri looking at her, not that if she did, she would greet her. Jake said Tuk was still reeling from the boat incident, but Neytiri knew she was scared of her. She was scared of herself, too.

"It is not easy," Ronal breathed. "The pain you feel; it never gets easier."

"You do not have to tell me that twice," Neytiri continued to stare out the tent, even when Tuk was gone. "I still mourn my father, and that was almost twenty years ago."

"Feels like yesterday," Ronal concurred. Neytiri nodded her head. "How is Jake?"

Neytiri scoffed. "As always," she looked at her. "He will not rest until he finds someone to blame."

"This is normal," Ronal's eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Not how he is doing it; he does not even take breaks between patrols until it is too dark to see."

Ronal nodded her head. "Tonowari did say that he was always the first to grab his ilu…"

"Because he is looking for others to blame!"

"But is that so bad?" Ronal asked. "To blame those who killed your son for killing your son?"

Neytiri liked talking to Ronal about these things. When she spoke to other people, they always tipped toed around Neteyam. They never said his name; they never mentioned anything around him, or at least not directly. Even her children didn't mention Neteyam, which most hurt her because it was as if he was a curse. That his name was a bad omen and saying it doomed the people around it. It was as if he never existed, but they all felt his absence. But Ronal just spoke as if their son was still alive. She said his name, she referred to him directly, and she talked about memories with confidence.

"But there is no one left," Neytiri said. "I took care of them on the boat, and Jake said he killed the Demon—we must heal."

"Healing is not linear," Ronal said sharply. "What Jake is doing may not look like healing, but to him—it brings comfort. What you do, taking care of your remaining children is also healing."

Neytiri bit her tongue and looked down. "Jake said Tonowari might relieve him of duty."

"Yes."

She looked back up. "Is it because of his work?"

"No," Ronal shook her head. "Because Tonowari is Jake's friend, and like you, he is worried about him. I try to tell him to calm himself that it is hardly that serious, but he does not listen to me." Neytiri pierced her lips and nodded her head. "I am certain that once Tonowari has seen Jake improve, he will reinstate him, but right now—"

"I understand," Neytiri said.

Before Ronal could speak more, feet came running up to the tent. Neytiri's attention shot in the doorway's direction. Tsireya and Kiri stood there, panting.

"Mama," Tsireya explained. "The hunting party is back!"

Ronal nodded. She struggled to stand, but Neytiri quickly lent her a hand. Ronal nodded to her before straightening her skirt.

The Awa'atlu village was a lively sort of people. Drums banged as the hunting party brought in their kills in large nets. The people cheered and hugged each other. The hunters even engaged back, tossing loose fish to the crowd. Kiri stood next to Neytiri, while Tsireya and Ronal stood on the other side of her. They all watched the men and women from the hunting party walk past, not even one noticing them, but Kiri was looking for someone. Hot irritation flashed in Neytiri's chest, and she wanted to snatch her daughter, look her in the eye, and yell at her to forget the human boy. She wanted to forbid Kiri from ever talking to Miles again, but Jake said, "If we stop her from being friends with Spider, she will just form a stronger bond with him." So, she forbade Miles from coming to their home instead.

While Tuk and Kiri still liked Miles, Neytiri was pleased that he was one of the many people Lo'ak withdrew from. She watched as Lo'ak walked past Miles when they met on the beach, Miles in mid-sentence and Lo'ak never slowing his stride. She watched as Miles tried to offer Lo'ak some of his food when he got full like they used to do back in the forest, and Lo'ak declined and then ignored him.

She didn't even know why Miles was here, why people just accepted him blindingly. The people of the village saw him as a brave young man because he helped defeat the Sky Demons, but to Neytiri, he was no different than them. She had no doubt he probably led the Sky Demons to her family. She just had no way to prove this.

As more and more people from the party touched the shore, Kiri became more impatient. "Where is Spider?"

"He's coming," Ronal said calmly.

"He may have already passed," Tsireya chimed in. "He could have gotten lost in the crowd."

Just when she finished her sentence, they saw him. Miles was a little taller than he was when he first reached the islands three months ago, but with him, the rest of the children grew. Tuk was now up to his shoulder where she was at his chest; she was going to be tall like Jake.

"Spider!" Kiri called, waving her hand in the air. "Spider, over here!"

Miles' head shot in their direction, and he smiled, running over to them, fish in his small net.

"Look what I got!" He held up the fish for the others to sea. The net was small, like for a child, but what it lacked in size, it made up in quantity. Fish filled the net so much it barely closed.

"Awesome!" Tsireya said. "You've gotten so much better!"

Miles bowed deeply and jokingly said, "Thank you, ma'am." And Tsireya laughed.

"Good job, Spider," Kiri added.

He smiles at her, dimples showing at the corners of his mouth. They weren't there 3 months ago. "Thanks, Kiri," he said.

"Where is Jake?" Neytiri cut in, breaking up the conversation between him and her daughter.

Miles looked at her, confused. "I don't know," he said. "We didn't see him."

"You did not see him?" She questioned.

"No, ma'am," Miles shook his head; his long, thick locks were gone. Now all that was left were thick blond curls. Kiri said it was because Miles bet he could beat Ao'nung in a race. The logic was because many of the Reef People had webbing between their toes, running would be harder for them. The logic was flawed when considering that Ao'nung was twice Miles' size. He lost, and as a result, Ao'nung and Rotxo held Miles down as Tsireya brought sharp sheers to his head. Kiri and Tuk howled with laughter when they saw Miles the next day.

"Cocky," Neytiri told Jake as she watched her children talk to Miles. All but Lo'ak, who spent his days with his tulkun. "Like his father."

"He's a kid, Neytiri," Jake said. "he's going to be cocky—it is what they do."

"The ocean is vast," Ronal said, taking Miles by the shoulder. "Patrols often miss each other, so I do not expect a young hunter to notice a patrolman." She peered down at him, "I am proud of you, young man."

"Thanks," Miles beamed. "Tonowari told me to not 'suffer the shame of being useless.'"

"That is my father for you," Tsireya said, smiling. "He likes you, though, Spider. He's just hard on everyone."

"Come," Ronal said, leading the group toward the others. "Let us get ready for dinner."

Kiri skipped over to Miles, grabbing him by his arm. Tsireya took Miles by the other arm and held on tight to him. Neytiri had to fight the urge to pull Miles away from them both. Instead, she pulled away from the group, slowing her stride. She glanced out into the ocean and could have sworn she saw the tiny dot of a man on an ilu.

Dinner was not anything important. While the hunting party talked loudly about their catches, The Sulis were quiet. Like always. Every once and a while, after Miles would make a comment that was supposed to be a joke, Kiri would smile, and maybe even Tuk's eyes would perk up, but even Miles was quiet. Lo'ak didn't even bother speaking to anyone other than Tsireya, who only spoke one-word sentences.

That night, like all nights, Tuk crawled into Jake's lap for a song before bed. Kiri sat in the corner of their home, twisting and retwisting her hair as she listened to the song, and Lo'ak was on the bridge of kelp outside their house. They were all supposed to be in the house at a certain time, according to Neytiri. At first, Lo'ak and Kiri bucked at this new rule, but Neytiri growled at them, telling them that it was what it was and there was nothing they could do about it. Tuk was the only one who seemed to follow this rule to completion.

When all was quiet, and all the children were sleeping in a huddle like sea pups, Neytiri followed Jake outside. The moons glittered off the crashing waves, the lights of the coral and fish dancing between them. The wind carried a smell of salt. Jake didn't even bother to glance at Neytiri when she came up. She stood next to him.

"Tonowari told me tomorrow would be my last day on patrol," Jake muttered, likely to Neytiri, but there was a chance he was talking to himself, too.

"So soon?" Neytiri asked; Ronal didn't tell her that. But there was also a chance she didn't know either. "I am sorry about that."

Jake nodded his head and then looked down. "I tried to tell him that it wasn't fair, that I'm a good fighter and protector, but he didn't want to hear me out."

"Well, it is only for a little while," Neytiri reassured him. "Ronal said you could be back on patrol once you fix whatever you are dealing with."

Jake sighed and looked at his wife. She was beautiful in the moons' light, her freckles glowing like stars in the night sky. They were the only ones out, probably the only ones awake. Neytiri looked away from her husband.

"I hate this…" She said softly. "This feeling of being lost."

"I know…"

She hissed, pushing back against that current of rage. She'd been doing so well. "I'd get mad sometimes…."

"I'm mad all the time…."

"I get mad when I see other people with their sons," she looked at Jake. "I cannot look at Ronal when she hugs Ao'nung."

"The same with me and Tonowari," Jake nodded absentmindedly. "There was a young man teaching his son who fish on one of the beaches I patrolled today. They waved to me. His son's name was 'Ritxi.'"

Silence fell between them. Neytiri would say something when she saw a dark figure in the distance. Jake saw it, too, because he placed a hand on his knife and turned to walk down the steps when the figure came under the rays of the moons. Miles, with his curly hair and humanness… Jake placed the knife back in the sheath. Miles didn't notice them looking at him.

"What is he doing?" Jake asked.

"Ask him," Neytiri said bitterly.

"Spider!" Miles jumped and stopped in his tracks, his arms out. He looked around, spinning on his toes. "Over here!" Jake waved.

He ran over to the two of them. "Mr. and Mrs. Sully," he breathed. "Evening."

"What are you going, young man?" Jake asked.

Miles looked around. "Just on a walk."

"To where," Neytiri demanded.

Miles scrounged his nose at her. "Nowhere…"

"Everyone is going somewhere," Neytiri insisted. "Where?"

Miles took a step back. "I promise, I'm going nowhere."

Neytiri scoffed, but it was Jake who said something next. "Good job on your hunt today, Kiri told us."

Miles smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Sully," he said. "I've got to get going. It's late."

Miles nodded before continuing his walk. When Neytiri was sure he was out of earshot, she turned to Jake and spoke.

"I don't want Kiri around him."

"You've told me," Jake said. "Several times."

"I am serious, Jake," Neytiri said. "I don't want him around any of us."

Jake looked at her. "Why?"

"You know why," she said. "He doesn't belong with us anyway."

"Neither does Kiri, but we love her and raised her."

Neytiri let out a slight growl, and Jake flinched back a little. "Kiri is Na'vi," she jetted out her chin in the direction Miles went. "He is not."

"Neither is Max or Norm or any of the scientists that you care about," Jake challenged; he knew he was pushing his luck.

Neytiri stared at him, "It was his fault that Neteyam died; I do not want him around," she turned. "Find a way to get him away from our children."

Before Jake had a chance to say anything back, Neytiri turned on her heels and ducked back into their home, leaving him to think of solutions that wouldn't put too much strain on them. Neytiri didn't care how he did it as long as that human boy was not in their lives anymore, preferably not in their line of sight either.

Jake asked Neytiri if she wanted to join him on his last patrol. She thought she ought to, so early in the morning, after waking her children and setting them off the day, Neytiri asked to use Ronal's ilu and, after enduring comments insisting on her taming her own ilu, set off on patrol with Jake.

The ocean was quiet, mostly empty, besides random swimmers, hunters, and a few children playing. They said nothing to each other, just listening to splashing water. The sun rose high in the sky when Neytiri finally decided to speak.

"Miles is staying with Ronal's family…." She mentioned to him.

"And what does that have to do with us?"

Neytiri hated when Jake got in one of his moods. He was snippy and crass, and dismissive about many things. After Neteyam… their son joined Eywa, Neytiri discovered that grief also made people communicate differently. For Lo'ak, not at all, unless it was with Tsireya, who Neytiri was still trying to get to know. He wasn't disrespectful; he spoke when spoken to but never went out of his way to talk to people. For Kiri, she talked to herself. There were times when Neytiri would find her eldest daughter having silent conversations with herself while twisting her hair or weaving together a tunic or loin cloth. Whenever Neytiri would ask her what she was speaking about, Kiri would say, "Nothing, Mom," and wait until Neytiri was out of earshot to continue speaking.

She was a little worried about that girl.

Tuk…was just Tuk. She talked as often as she used to, but her conversations were darker. She asked about death a lot. Jake said it was because she was trying to understand what Neteyam was going through in the last moments of his life. Neytiri couldn't argue with that. But Jake… was short with everyone, even Tonowari, who was starting to rise in the ranks of being his closest friend. There were times when Neytiri saw Tonowari's eyes widen in annoyance when he turned away from Jake. There were times when Tonowari would cut their conversations short because he didn't want to get angry.

Ronal hardly tolerated Jake anyway, so when he even slightly irritated her, she would walk away. Even if he was in mid-sentence.

"It means that even if we don't want Kiri around Miles, she is good friends with Tsireya, who is the sister of Ao'nung, and they both are really good friends with Miles."

"His name is Spider, Neytiri," Jake said plainly. "And who cares? Really? We are all going through something; why make it harder for Kiri by taking away her closest friend?"

"Because he does not deserve her."

Jake flashed Neytiri a confused and slightly annoyed look. "What?"

"He does not deserve her."

"Did he kill someone—I don't understand…" Jake shook his head and sighed. "Listen, Spider is not like his damn daddy. He is a good kid with a good heart, and he loves this family and our people."

"Until he doesn't," Neytiri said darkly. "Until he feels bitter and sells us out to the Sky People. His people. Don't you ever wonder how they found us?" Jake was quiet. "Ma'Jake!"

"I don't care, Neytiri," he said slowly. "They found us. We fought. We…lost our son. We won. We just have to focus on living. Protecting ourselves and our Peoples."

How could he not care? This is all because of that child. If they hadn't had that demon spawn around, Neteyam would be alive. They wouldn't have had to leave their home. She missed her mother, she missed her trees, and her People. She missed the smell of the rainforest. She missed swinging on the vines. All their son wanted was to go home. They couldn't even bury him where he wanted to be.

Tears threatened to spill, and Neytiri blinked several times to hold them back. Push against the rage.

"Well, I care," Neytiri said, loud enough for Jake to hear.

They were quiet for a while after. When the sun began to cast long shadows on the ground of the small islands they patrolled, and the coolness of the water began to send shivers down their spines, the two of them began their way back to the village.

"Wait," Jake said softly.

Neytiri snapped her head in his direction. His hand was out, his back straight. He looked far in the distance, but Neytiri couldn't see it.

"What is it?"

"I…I don't…I don't know…" He paused. "People, maybe."

Neytiri's breath caught in her throat. Her hands were clammy. No one came out this far that belonged to any of the Reef Islands. Neytiri held firm to her bow; should she need it, it would be the first time she would shoot it after it broke on the boat.

"Jake," Neytiri whispered. "We should be leaving."

"We can't."

"What do you mean we can't?" Neytiri was annoyed now. "We need to retreat."

Jake snapped his head in her direction. "Oh, now you want to retreat!" Neytiri's jaw dropped. Jake's eyes widened. "I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

"I do not care," Neytiri moved her ilu around Jake to get a better look at what he was looking at. Sure enough, on the horizon line, at least five groups of people sat on boats. They were like shadows against the dying sun. "Either we confront them, or we leave." But the decision wasn't up to them. One of the figures raised their hand up, waving. Jake and Neytiri were the only people in the waters around. Neytiri shot a look at Jake, eyes wide. "They see us now. We cannot lead them back to the village."

Jake nodded. "Yeah…yeah…I agree," he snapped the reins of his ilu. "Let's go."

As they moved forward, the five groups of shadows came toward them. They were on boats, and canoes, judging by their arm movements. They weren't from this place. Neytiri's heart raced, her hands itched; She wanted nothing more than to reach for her bow and arrow, but Jake was calm—at least on the outside. She would only draw her weapon if he did or if she felt threatened. As they got closer, the shadows on their bodies did not lift.

"Who are they?"

"I don't know…" Jake said quietly. "but we have to keep our wits about us."

Neytiri nodded. "Yes."

"Hello there!" A voice echoed across the water, deep and rumbling like thunder. But it was unfamiliar. "Hello!" As the sun came down, all their freckles started to light up. Jake often said Neytiri's freckles looked like the stars at night, but their freckles were indeed like the night sky. It was at this moment that Neytiri knew they weren't hidden in shadows—they were undoubtedly that dark. "Hello…"

They weren't too close, but close enough to start making out features. The one waving his hand was younger than Neytiri and Jake, perhaps late 20s or early 30s. He was small; in fact, all of them were smaller than any Na'vi Neytiri had ever seen. Tuk would be a little past their hips. The one in front was the easiest to see, with big green eyes with large, almost fawn-like ears. His hands were huge, bigger than a Metkayina hand, and his nails were almost claw-like, long, and pointed. That was all Neytiri could see before they came to a stop.

"Hello, friend!" The young man said, and even though he tried to sound friendly, Neytiri could hear an undercut of caution. "How are you?"

"What's your name?" Jake called out.

There were five sets of five people, one set in each canoe. Neytiri and Jake were wholly outnumbered, but something inside her said that should the group try to attack, they both could decimate them within minutes. They weren't dressed like warriors; they had clubs and slingshots in their hands, unsuitable for battles, especially at sea. They were covered in animal skin pelts, not a piece of protective plating to be found, and had horned animal bones for helmets. That made Neytiri's stomach roil in disgust. How could they kill animals for decorations of themselves? Savages.

When the young man didn't answer Jake, he tried again. "Where are you from?"

"We are part of the Lefpom People," the young man said.

"I didn't ask that," Jake cut him off. "I asked you your name and where you were from."

"He…he answered the last question, Jake," Neytiri whispered. "He said they were from the Lefpom People." Whoever they were.

"Okay…you got a point there," Jake rubbed his forehead, then spoke to the crowd of 25. "Better question: where are the Lefpom People from?"

The young man looked at his companions, who looked at him. The sun was nearly down now, and the freckles that shone like stars now lit up the faces of the people before Jake and Neytiri. To say they were attractive looking would be an understatement because while they looked like most other Na'vi, the minor differences made them almost lovely. Large eyes that seemed to glow under the sliver of sun left. Their pupils expanded a little to get a better look at the two of them. The one in front was handsome; his nose was a little bigger, a little more flared, and his lips were a little larger. His shoulders were broad, fit for lifting heavy objects. Neytiri couldn't see their tails from where she was, but they all had a similar frame.

"Hello?" Jake asked with some annoyance. "Am I talking to myself?"

"Jake…"

"We…we rather not say…"

"All right then," Jake shrugged. "Get out of here."

"Jake!" Neytiri said a little louder.

"Jake, is it?" The young man said.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"My name is Vrrtep," the young man placed a hand on his chest. "Vrrtep te Gorshe Tye'ete."

"Nice to meet you," Jake said. The group of them placed their hands on their foreheads. Neytiri did the greeting, then slapped Jake in the stomach to get him to do it. When they both came up, they found Vrrtep looking at them sideways. "What?"

"You have five fingers…"

Neytiri's back straightened. "Yeah, and?"

"We have only seen one other person with five fingers…"

Jake and Neytiri shared a look. "Who?"

Vrrtep shook his head. "I do not know his name."

It was Neytiri's turn to speak. "His?"

Vrrtep nodded. "His."

She looked at Jake, and even in the sky's darkness, she could tell he was thinking the same thing. "It couldn't be…."

"Excuse me," Vrrtep cut in. "We do not mean to bother you—"

"What is it?" Neytiri was harsh now. If these people knew the Sky Demons, they could be a threat. She vowed she would kill all threats.

Vrrtep didn't notice the harshness in her voice; he dug through a satchel. "We found this in the water," and there it was. A pistol, as Jake told her. It was rusted now. Vrrtep held it up and then looked at them. "Have you seen this before?"

"No." Jake lied. They have.

"Oh," Vrrtep placed the gun back in the bag. "All right then."

"Why are you out here?" Neytiri snapped, her hands inching closer to her bow.

Vrrtep eyed her, his nose coming up. That fake friendly façade was now cracking. "Because we have gotten reports of ocean burnings," he said. "We left our people three months ago to see what we can find."

"And what did you find?" Jake said softly.

Vrrtep was quiet at first. "Bodies…" He spoke. "Bodies and weapons. Bodies with arrows stuck in them. Bloated from the water."

Vrrtep pulled out one of Neytiri's arrows. The same ones she had strapped to her back. Vrrtep knew this, too, because his eyes fell on the quiver, focusing on the golden-flanked arrows pointed out. Silence fell around them.

"What happened out here…?" Vrrtep was the first to break it.

"I suggest you leave," Jake said. "Now."

"Not until you tell me what is going on."

"We do not have to tell you anything!" Neytiri instead pulled out her knife. "You are in our ocean!"

"You are also in our ocean," So they shared an ocean? The Lefpom people were close by then. Vrrtep paddled closer a little. "Tell me; perhaps we can help."

"We don't need your help," Neytiri snapped. "Leave and stay alive or stay and die."

"You cannot be—"

The sound of loud popping filled the air, followed by the choking smell of acrid smoke. Neytiri glanced up to see Jake holding one of his guns in the air. "The next time, it will be you."

Vrrtep and his people stared at them, their eyes wide as if they had seen an abomination.

"What is that?" One of the people on that side said. "It spouted fire!"

Vrrtep just stared at the two of them.

"What is it going to be?" Jake pointed the gun at him.

Vrrtep didn't even try to put up a fight. He nodded. "All right," he said. "All right, you win."

With that, Vrrtep twirled his finger, and his people turned their canoes around. Neytiri watches as they vanish into the night. They stared after them, waiting to see if they would make a return, but as the moons began to travel across the sky, they realized that they wouldn't be back. Jake lowered his gun and turned his ilu back around, Neytiri following him.

"What was that?" She asked. "The Lefpom people? I have never heard of them."

"Me neither," Jake said. "We have to talk to Tonowari and Ronal about this. We don't know what kind of a threat they are."

"They might even think we are a threat," Neytiri suggested. "He put something together in his head."

"He definitely did."

They rode with nothing sounding between them but the lapping waves. Neytiri glanced at her husband.

"What if he is still alive?" Jake said nothing. "Ma'Jake…"

Jake shook his head. "I don't know, Neytiri; I know what I did," He looked at her. "But what if I was wrong?"