Happy Memories but Heart-breaking Reminders

Neytiri woke up, stretching her arms. She walked out into the open, smiling at the rising sun. She had actually begun to enjoy it here.

"Morning, luv," greeted Jake as he came to join her outside.

"Morning Jake,"

"You enjoying it?"

"I am," she inhaled the sea air deeply with a smile. "I still miss home, our people…but it truly is a paradise here," she wanted to enjoy this moment still, but a certain issue was on her mind. "Jake, have you noticed that the twins have been distant from Neteyam?"

"Not really if I can be honest," Jake confessed.

"The last thing I want is for them to have a falling out," she said. Right when she spoke, Neteyam, yawning as ever, came walking outside.

"Morning," he greeted.

"Neteyam, what's going on between you and the twins?" Jake asked.

Neteyam was stuck. "Nothing,". He lied.

"You guys used to be inseparable," his mother said. "Now you guys are drifting apart,". Neteyam couldn't deny it. Inside he felt like he was being replaced in the twins' hearts by their secret friends. "Neteyam, what is going on?"

Neteyam was stuck He bit his lip. "I can't," he forced himself to say.

"Why not?" asked his mother.

"Because if I do, they'll never forgive me,"

"Okay. We need to have a talk with you three," said Jake, walking back inside. "Lo'ak! Sylwa! We need to talk!" Kiri and Tuk woke up. But the twins under the blankets didn't move. He walked inside. "Guys, we need to talk," he pulled the blankets off only to find bundles of large island fruit. "Oh, come on!"

Lo'ak and Sylwa were flying on Betze and Skeera out at sea. They had wanted to give their ikrans a flight out together like they used to before the Sky people returned. Also, they did not want to replace them with Payaka and Tsu'tey in their hearts. And accompanying them were Atuiko and Tsireya. The twins were desperate to introduce their friends to Tsireya; they knew she was going to love them.

"How I've longed to be back in the air again," breathed Atuiko with wonder.

"You sure Aonung, Roxto and the others can keep our dads distracted?" Sylwa asked Tsireya.

"They will," the sea princess said. "I firmly gave my brother the little sister warning,". The group chuckled.

Sylwa noticed she was a little nervous. "You okay?"

"I'm still nervous about this. As future Tsahik, I'm not supposed to be doing this,"

"And yet you're still doing it," reminded Atuiko. "I'm the general's youngest son but that doesn't mean I do everything he expects. Just like our twin pals have shown us, we need to make our own choices. Trust me, you'll love Tsu'tey and Payaka,"

"Okay. But we go back by the afternoon,"

"Deal!" jinxed the twins.

They arrived at the Three Brother Rocks and to their delight, Payaka and Tsu'tey were waiting for them. Payaka squeaked in delight seeing Sylwa and Tsu'tey jumped for joy seeing his spirit brother again. The Tulkun didn't mind allowing the agitated Ikrans to land on her back.

"Hey girl," Sylwa dismounted Skeera and sat on her fin.

It's so good to see you again Sylwa. Who's this? She glimpsed at Tsireya who sat beside her.

"This is Tsireya. She taught me everything about the sea,"

"Hello?" Tsireya waved awkwardly. "It's nice to meet you,"

Hello Tsireya. You're very pretty.

"Thank you,"

How was the Tulkun gathering?

"It was so beautiful," Sylwa patted her hide. "But I really wished you could have been there. We put on quite a show together, Reya and I,"

"And she was magnificent," complimented Tsireya. Payaka purred depressed, wishing she didn't have to miss such an emotional event because of her status. Sylwa hugged her again to give her comfort. The Tulkun was truly touched by the gift of a friend.

"And this is Skeera and Betze," Tsireya introduced the Ikran to her.

"Hello bro," Lo'ak jumped into the water and Tsu'tey licked his face. "These are our Ikrans,"

Hello. Tsu'tey brayed to them.

Hello. They screeched back.

"And this is Tsireya," Atuiko introduced the sea princess. Tsu'tey got curious and swam over to Tsireya who was amazed by his appearance.

"Hold your hand out," said Sylwa. She was nervous. "It's alright," she gently lifted Tsireya's hand and positioned it in front of Tsu'tey's snout. "Now let him come to you,"

The Taquamare sniffed and then pressed his snout to Tsireya's hands. She was amazed. He was indeed a friendly creature as Lo'ak had described. "If only my aunt hadn't disappeared, my father's hatred wouldn't have sparked,". The others exchanged sad glances. They felt sorry for the chief's loss but to them, it was so not right of him to blame the Taquamares for it when he hadn't known what happened. "I'm so sorry you've been alone your whole life,"

Don't be. Tsu'tey brayed. You're a very sweet girl.

"He says you don't need to be sorry and that you're very sweet," Lo'ak translated, much to Sylwa's surprise.

"You were both very brave saving Lo'ak and Sylwa," Tsireya addressed to the Tulkun and Taquamare. "If only it were possible for my father to hear it. He's very persistent and as Olo'eyktan, he expects laws to be followed as they've always done,"

Maybe some laws are meant to be broken for the good of others. Payaka said.

"What happened that day?" Tsireya asked Payaka who squeaked painfully.

"It's too painful for her. But whatever it is that happened, it doesn't make her a violent Tulkun," said Sylwa. "But we're not here to discuss laws. We're here to have fun,"

"Yeah!" Atuiko agreed. "What do you guys wanna do first?"

Whilst Tsu'tey played with the Ikran on some nearby rocks, Payaka took the two girls and two boys on a swim around the reefs, passing by colourful fish. Then whilst the Ikran were taking a nap, Tsu'tey led the party underwater again and Tsireya was amazed by his abilities and being able to talk verbally underwater. They took her to the underwater jungles and Sylwa showed her the pearls and crystals they had seen earlier. At Lo'ak's request, the girls performed their underwater dance and the Tulkun and Taquamare were impressed.

But the excitement wasn't over yet, the ecstatic Tsu'tey was desperate to show them something that no Navi had ever witnessed before. He led them to a dark section of the underwater ocean. And then to their amazement, they were surrounded by the same bubbles as the one Lo'ak had seen before. Rainbow coloured with small crystal flowers inside them. They floated around the party, amazing the children. It felt like floating in an underwater sky.

"They're beautiful," breathed Sylwa.

What are they? Asked Payaka.

They are sacred spirits. Said Tsu'tey as one landed on his tail without popping. Lo'ak translated for him. Spirits of the Oceans. In the days of the first songs, when a Navi dies, a spirit comes to rest with them to guide them to Eywa, to the everlasting afterlife. There used to be so many roaming the surface. But now they are mainly found at the bottom of the ocean.

"How come?" asked Lo'ak.

The sacred spirits became angry with the Sea Navi for their prejudice against us, how they blamed us for everyone who disappearing at sea.

"Like my aunt," said Tsireya. She began to feel guilty for believing those stories rather than learning to see past what people believed, the same way she judged the Sullys not by what they are like her brother did at first but by how they treated others.

"There has to be a reason to why these vanishings keep happening," said Sylwa.

As they spoke, the girls and Atu noticed as they were attracted to both Lo'ak and Tsu'tey. "What's happening?" asked Atu.

They are attracted to Taquamares. And to those who become their spirit brothers or sisters…

"Like…me," Lo'ak finished slowly earning the stunned faces of his sister and their friends. He glimpsed at one of his fingers. "When I spoke to my grandfather, he said Eywa knows nothing of these magical crystals,"

"The Great Mother is full of deep mystery," said Tsireya. "I hate to say this but we need to head back now. Our fathers won't be kept in the dark for long,". The other three Navi were sad to leave but they knew she was right. Payaka and Tsu'tey were sad to leave again. But by the time they had reached the surface, they could the sun was now high and it was midday. They called for their Ikran and after hugging Payaka and Tsu'tey goodbye, they flew off.

Tsu'tey brawled up to Lo'ak, not wanting him to leave. Lo'ak heard him and twisted his head, upset seeing his longing face like that.

"You'll see him again," consoled Atuiko.

Tsu'tey dropped his face.

Lo'ak loves you. Payaka comforted. I hate that they keep leaving like this too but our friendships with them must stay secret and they can't get into trouble with anyone. If that happens, they'll never be able to see us again and I can't have that. She longed for Sylwa and her kind singing voice but she couldn't bear to see Sylwa get into any more trouble on her account.

The Taquamare knew she was right. It's just…ever since losing my mother I have felt so alone and I feel guilty that I wasn't able to save her.

I know how you feel. Payaka's tone was full of grief and guilt.

If you won't tell me what caused you to become an outcast, at least tell Sylwa. Tsu'tey said. Telling her may be the only way for her to help you.

When the time is right I will.

"I am asking you again," Tonowari demanded. "Where is your sister and the others?" Jake and Soxato were with him.

"I've already told you, they're having downtime at the beach," Aonung was becoming more frantic with words by the minute. He was close to being caught.

"Well, we've searched every beach and they're not there," said Jake back. A part of him hadn't still quite forgiven the sea teen for putting his twins in danger.

"Perhaps they've explored the jungle,"

"We searched the jungle," said Soxato.

"Maybe they're in the water swimming," said Roxto. "They wouldn't dare go beyond the reef," his attempts to ease the fuming dads were unsuccessful.

"What happened to keep an eye on your brother?" the general demanded, making him shrivel in shame. The boys eyed each other intently. They couldn't hide them any longer. Suddenly a soldier came running to them.

"Chief. Two Ikran are taking a nap near the ilu nesting area and it's really irritating them,"

"Twins," Jake seethed, walking off. Tonowari and Soxato turned their heads but to their irritation, the boys had disappeared.

At a hidden cove on the other side of the island, the four met up with Aonung and the boys.

"Thanks, guys," said Lo'ak gratefully.

Sylwa could clearly see how close they were to getting caught. "Sorry, you guys nearly got caught. But to make it up to you, I'm gonna teach you how to have fun,"

"What kind of fun?" Roxto asked.

Sylwa smiled and walked over to a tree where she had hidden her bag. She opened it and brought out two rugby balls. "Tell me…have you ever played catch and throw before?"

Jake went to where the ilus were but to his fury, Betze and Skeera were already flying away and Lo'ak and Sylwa were not on it.

Neteyam, Kiri and Tuk were having a walk. And clearly, the older brother was really irritated with the twins for sneaking off again. "Teyam…why don't you just apologise to Lo'ak for calling him 'selfish'?" Kiri insisted. She had been angry to learn her brother would say something like that to their younger brother.

"You called him 'selfish'?" Tuk was flabbergasted by his choice of words.

"He's not thinking carefully. And neither is Sylwa,"

"They're not kids. They're old enough to take care of themselves. Just like us," Kiri said calmly, not wanting to start an argument. "Maybe if you met Tsu'tey and got to know him, you'd realise he's not a threat,"

"You haven't met him. Or Payaka.

"Don't need to. If the twins trust them, then so should we. The next time they go see them, I'm going with them,"

"No," Neteyam pointed a finger at her. "Neither of you are going,"

"Stop telling us what to do," whined Tuk, storming off.

"Just because you're the oldest, doesn't mean you know everything that's right for us," Kiri tried her best to remain calm. "Please just try and talk to them,". Her brother didn't answer. She sighed and followed after Tuk, leaving him alone.

The two sisters walked for a while alone when they heard some music playing. When they looked over the side of the cliff, smiles were pulled on their faces and when they saw smiles below and waving hands, they immediately jogged down to join in the fun.

"Why do they always have to disobey rules?" asked Jake, venting his frustration to Neytiri.

"Jake…" Neytiri soothed him. "Just calm down. You're overreacting,". Jake begrudgingly took in a deep breath and calmed down. "Now…when we find them, please don't…" She was interrupted by the unexpected sound of…music.

Jake knew exactly what it was. "Oh no,". He jogged off towards the direction of where the sound was coming from. Neytiri chased after him. They looked over a cliff edge and to their astoundment they saw the twins, Kiri, Tuk, Tsireya, Atuiko and all the boys playing dogfight football together. And loud music was playing. Not loud enough for the village far along the coastline to hear. And they were having fun.

It was four girls: Sylwa, Kiri, Tsireya and Tuk against four boys: Lo'ak, Roxto, Aonung and Atuiko. Roxto blew a whistle Sylwa had brought and they jogged into action. Only Atuiko and Tuk were allowed to play against each other as they were the youngest. They were having so much fun. The boys were wrestling each other for fun. Not to push one another around like enemies.

"They look like they're having a fun time," smiled Neytiri. The children had truly made such wonderful friends. She laughed when she saw Tsireya and Sylwa clash into one another, rolling over one another, the former on top of the latter. They exchanged laughs and everyone else laughed at them. However, her heart broke seeing Neteyam wasn't part of the fun.

Jake would have been marching down to stop this, but when he realised Sylwa's love for human culture had created this fun, he smiled. "They are. Guess it was right of her to bring her human stuff after all. It's a part of who we are," he looked at his hand. "Guess you can't really stop being a human after all,"

"What is this?!" Soxato demanded. He and Tonowari had arrived on the scene. He was flabbergasted to see his sons down below, participating in such an 'atrocious' activity.

"They're having fun," said Neytiri. "The children are sharing what they love doing. Let's leave them to their fun,"

"This should not be allowed," Tonowari shook his head.

"Absolutely!" agreed the outraged Ronal marching onto the scene.

"Our children are finally becoming true friends," said Jake, smiling down below. "Let's do what my mate said,". He offered a hand and escorted his mate away. Neytiri was relieved that he was in no mood to lecture the twins on disappearing the other day. Neither was she. Still, they were determined to find out why Neteyam and the twins had been so distant recently.

Tonowari and Ronal took their words into consideration and decided at least for today they'd let their children do these kinds of activities. Soxato stayed where he was. He looked down at his young sons having fun, looking happy for the first time in years. But when he glanced at Lo'ak and Sylwa, he remembered how distasteful he had been to them since their arrival. Perhaps his spirit brother was right. Perhaps he should give them and the rest of their family a chance. He walked away, leaving the children to their fun.

Night had fallen and the children had decided they'd camp out together. As they prepared to sleep with some mats they had brought, Tuk glanced around, missing Neteyam. "I want Neteyam to join in,"

"Why so he can ruin our fun?" growled Lo'ak. Everyone was surprised by his tone of voice.

"Don't talk like that," Kiri begged.

"Why shouldn't he?" Atuiko defended. "He called him 'selfish',". His brother and the other boys who hadn't known what had happened were flabbergasted. "He hasn't even apologised for it and he called Tsu'tey, an innocent creature who never hurt anyone, who saved Lo'ak's life a daemon,"

"He's just too wrapped in being dad's favourite child to understand," Lo'ak, after laying down his mat, lay down and closed his eyes, not wanting to talk anymore about it. His sisters sighed, exchanging gloomy looks. Tsireya and Aonung exchanged remorseful glances. No other words were sad. They just slept under the stars.

The Sully hut was quite quiet. All except the parents and Neteyam had spoken a single word today. Neytiri sighed and sat next to her. "Please…tell me what is going on,"

He had to give in. But only slightly. "I called Lo'ak 'selfish',"

"You what?" Neytiri was furious. Even Jake who had overheard from outside was quite stunned. "Why would you do that?"

"I don't know!" he vented. "I just…we had an argument and I called him 'selfish' for not thinking first before he acts. And I'm the one always taking responsibility for his actions,"

"He never asks you to," Neytiri said truthfully. "But sometimes he acts first because he has good intentions. Just like he did when he went out there to save Sylwa. Listen, Lo'ak's your brother. It's never been easy for him as it has been for you. And like it or not he's family. And family means we take care of each other,"

"I'll try and talk to him tomorrow," Neteyam said nothing after that. He just wanted to get some sleep.

"Tousal!" cried Tsireya. "Tousal!". Fire was around them. They were on an island, being attacked by people of destruction and cruelty. "Tousal!"

Tsireya!" cried her twin.

Tsireya saw her twin trying to reach her. She saw a gap in the fire. She reached him, embracing him.

"Come on!" he pulled her towards the water where their ilus were. Suddenly there was a loud woosh and he saw fire about to plunge on them. Quickly he pushed her out of the way and

"Tousal!" Tsireya woke up gasping. She realised she was still on the beach under the star-lit sky, the algae glowing in the sea pulling to and fro in front of them. She looked around and saw everyone else was still asleep. She began crying. What she had dreamed was just a glimpse of the horrible day she had lost her twin and best friend forever.

"Tsireya?" Sylwa mumbled sitting up next to her. "You okay?". All the sea princess did was sob so she offered her arms and embraced her tightly, stroking her hair lightly. "There. There. It's okay," She cried a little, knowing very well at first glance what she had dreamed about.

Lo'ak had actually woken up but he lay down, back turned not wanting to interrupt their moment. He actually couldn't sleep himself.

There are Navi…who don't respect the balance of life. There are those that believe only in pain and suffering.

You mustn't connect to one who will kill you.

Trust your instincts.

His grandfather's words had echoed in his mind all night. He couldn't sleep at all. Since he had disconnected from the Spirit Tree, all he had thought about were those words. He didn't know what to do at all. He didn't want to betray Tsu'tey's brotherly friendship one bit. Before he could dwell on his anxieties, he heard sniffling. He opened his eyes and saw Atuiko beside him leaning up on his, his head hung down. He was crying heavily. "Atu?" the kid didn't turn him. "You okay?" he reached to touch his shoulder. "Atu, it's okay,". Atu just spun around and hugged him tightly. Lo'ak embraced him back. "What's wrong?"

"I remembered her," he sniffled. "Words from her song. And it hurts so much,"

Lo'ak found himself shedding tears, knowing very well who he was thinking off. "It's okay. I'm here for you,", pulling his best Navi friend harder into his embrace. At that moment he vowed to Aloa that he would take extremely good care of Atuiko and his brother, and give them the compassion and deep care they needed.

That's another chapter done. By the way, thank you very much everyone for all the ideas. I will try and use as many of them as I can. What did you guys think of Tsireya meeting Payaka and Tsu'tey and Tsu'tey introducing those little bubble spirits that Lo'ak discovered underwater? Please let me know what you all thought. See you all soon.