Here is the next chapter. Hope you all enjoy this one. Spoiler alert, the same song in the previous chapter will features in this one and once again credit of this song goes to Disney. I do not own it. I am not trying to take credit for it. Enjoy!

Grounded again

Lo'ak, with a bubble covering his face and body again, and Tsu'tey dived underwater. They gazed at the pod of Tulkun swimming together in harmony. It was beautiful seeing them all together. They weren't alone. They had one another to hold onto. Their eyes saw them. A worried vocal noise squeaked through the water. They were noticed. All about Aloa seemed horrified by the glimpse of Lo'ak riding Tsu'tey. Tsu'tey became scared.

We should go. He was afraid word of this would spread and Lo'ak would be in great trouble.

"Be calm," Lo'ak patted the side of his neck. The Tulkun swam around them but it was only Aloa whom the boy glimpsed at. She swam over towards them slowly. He dismounted his spirit, brother, and swam off his back over to her right side signing I see you to her.

Lo'ak, it is wonderful to see you again. She squeaked, showing no hostility. Her eyes turned to the nervous Tsu'tey. Who is this?

"This is my spirit brother,"He introduced using sign language as well. "Please don't be afraid everyone," He addressed the pod. "He's very friendly. He'd never hurt anyone,"

His kind is responsible for the deaths of many Sea Navi. One argued. Tsu'tey was offended.

"Listen to the boy first," Aloa firmly insisted. "Let us hear what he has to say," The majestic whale-like creatures heeded her words but they remained cautious as ever.

"Tsu'tey saved my life," Lo'ak announced, speaking for the first to a group of beings of his spirit brother's selflessness. "And his mother saved my life when I was a child. I'm sorry about the awful things that have been happening at sea to all those people…but it isn't right to blame Tsu'tey and his kind for what happened,"

He's a daemon creature. He's dangerous! Scorned a not-so-friendly Tulkun. Tsu'tey was offended. He was more scared than ever, desperate to take Lo'ak and flee.

Silence. Aloa ordered. Don't interrupt him like that.

"He's not dangerous!" cried out Lo'ak, expressing fury with his face and fingers at the Tulkun for insulting his spirit brother like that. "He's just different! That's all! I know how he feels because…" his fury died away, replaced with alienation. "I know what it's like to not fit in and have everyone hate you for being something they're afraid of," his feelings of loneliness touched Aloa's heart. He raised his five fingers. "Nearly everyone in the Metikyena hates me. Daemon. Alien. That's all they see. Just because you're different, it doesn't mean that it's okay to be bullied or treated like you're someone who would harm other people. Being lonely is the most awful thing you could ever feel. And Tsu'tey doesn't deserve that. His kind has been hated for too long out of fear and prejudice. It has to stop,"

The Tulkun exchanged glimpses at one another but Aloa was the only one truly moved by such a speech. She swam a little close. Connect to my queue. Let me see your memories.

To Lo'ak's astoundment, her three jaws opened. Did he have to swim inside?

Don't be afraid. Purred another female one. She won't eat you.

Though he couldn't understand her, Lo'ak could tell by the positive tone that it was safe. He was about to swim inside when Tsu'tey grabbed his ankle with his prehensile tail.

Wait. He begged. Don't.

"Don't worry," he patted his snout. "I'll be all right,". Tsu'tey still wouldn't let go. "I promise,"

Tsu'tey slowly let go and Lo'ak swam inside Aloa's mouth. Then all of a sudden, the three jaws were just tight and all Lo'ak could see was total darkness. Tsu'tey was scared. He tried to do something but Aloa, though holding the boy in her mouth, saw his anxiety and squeaked again. It's all right. I'm not gonna swallow him. He'll be out again in no time. I promise.

Tsu'tey paused but remained anxious.

Inside her mouth, the inside lit up like the night sky and when Lo'ak turned around, he saw a golden tendril snaking out towards him. He pulled his queue over his shoulder and linking their golden strands to her queue, Lo'ak felt his eyes enlarge. They slammed shut.

A beautiful Navi with long wavy hair, wearing a golden shell necklace of pearl beads was sitting on her fin. A little toddler boy sat on her lap. It was Atuiko. An older boy swam over and Soxato was there too. He looked happier and more friendly. This general was not the general Lo'ak knew at all.

Oh, the waves roll low
And the waves roll high
And so it goes
Under a bright blue endless sky
Waves try to measure
Days that we treasure
Wave hello
And wave goodbye

Alunal's voice was the most beautiful voice Lo'ak had ever heard. Her siren song brought joy to her family and Aloa was warmed by the special meaning of her lyrics.

Lo'ak's eyes opened and he disconnected his queue. The three jaws opened behind him and he swam out the mouth. As he did, Aloa and the Tulkun pod began swimming to the surface for some air. Tsu'tey and the boy joined them. As they breathed air, Lo'ak swam over to Aloa, shedding tears. He saw how heartbroken she was. "I'm sorry," he breathed. "I'm so sorry,". Seeing that memory made him realise how much the mother of his best Navi friend's mother truly meant to her. He embraced her, comforting her.

Thank you Lo'ak. She squeaked. Her death has brought so much pain to her family. Thank you so much for all the love you've given Atuiko.

They submerged underwater again. And she spoke to the Tulkun again. Everything the boy says is true. I saw his memories when we bonded. This creature truly did save his life.

Tsu'tey was warmed by her understanding of words. He translated for Lo'ak who was touched by how Aloa firmly believed him and was now telling the Tulkun of all that Tsu'tey had taught, how much their time together had created a true bond of brotherhood between them. Lo'ak was so proud that these Tulkuns could see how misunderstood Taquamares were and that they were not creatures who brought harm to Navi but were creatures who could be spiritual brothers and sisters to the Navi the same way they were. He turned to Tsu'tey who was already warmed by how Lo'ak's bravery in taking a step to talk of the good of his kind had already begun to make him feel less alone than he already felt with the few friends he had. Thank you Lo'ak.

"Perhaps they could talk to the Navi," he suggested.

No. Their words will not be enough to persuade them.

He speaks the truth, Lo'ak. Aloa squeaked, having overheard their conversation. The Navi have suffered so many losses. Chief Tonowari in particular will always blame them for what happened to his sister.

Does he have no idea what happened the day she went missing?

No.

Well, then why blame them?

Taquamares have always been strangers to the Navi since the ages after the First Songs. You have a robust and open heart Lo'ak…but even that will not be enough be persuade the chief. But because of your strong bond with this unique creature, we will tell stories of the times you both have spent together. We will tell other Tulkun of the true nature of the Taquamares so that in time they will be accepted among the Navi as they should for what you have proven.

When Tsu'tey translated all that she had said to Lo'ak, she smiled and went over to stroke her hide. "Thank you," he said.

If you don't mind…and Tsu'tey doesn't mind…I wish to call you my spirit brother if you will have me.

With no hint of envy, the Taquamare once again translated to Lo'ak what she said and he smiled, touched by her request. "I will gladly accept," he patted her hide and she purred. "And I promise I will make Alunal's family happy. She was a wonderful singer. Her singing was so beautiful,"

I see so much of her in you. I see so much of her kindness and open nature which is why I have chosen you. I will spread your teachings to the other Tulkun. We all will. She gestured to herself and the other Tulkun who nodded in agreement. Let us leave now and go tell the others.

The Tulkun began to swim away but Aloa stayed behind. There is something else that I want to talk to you about. Lo'ak wondered. I saw in your memories your twin sister and Payaka. Lo'ak stiffened. He hadn't wanted to bring this up, fearing it wouldn't be suitable for his twin's saviour.

"Aloa…" he implored. "Payaka isn't a killer. She saved my sister and brought her back to me. I know you and many think she killed her pod but a killer wouldn't do that. She's a beautiful singer like Alunal. And she is one of the sweetest friends my sister and I have ever had,"

I doubt neither her nor your sister's friendship with her.

"Then you have to tell the other Tulkun she didn't do anything wrong. Please believe me,"

I do Lo'ak but even if I wanted to, your memories would convince few others. I won't be able to defend her if I don't know what truly happened.

"Then my sister and I will find out ourselves. But Payaka doesn't like talking about it. Whatever it is that happened, it's so painful for her. She's suffered so much,"

I must take my leave now. I hope we meet again soon, young honourable soul.

Lo'ak gave Aloa a stroke and Tsu'tey purred a deep 'thank you' before she re-joined the rest of her pod. Tsu'tey turned to Lo'ak and the boy gave him a big hug.

Thank you. Tsu'tey at that moment had recognised a deep kind of spiritual love that anyone could feel for a brother. And he did want to let that feeling go.

Sylwanin and Payaka were chilling out under the sun. As Paya kept her above the surface, Sylwa closed her eyes as a thousand feelings kept her heart racing and her mind buzzing with thoughts. She missed Spider. She missed her grandmother. She missed her forest home. But since coming here, she had made new friends, enjoyed being part of a whole new Navi culture and she had met a certain sea princess who was so much like her in more ways than one. There was something about Tsireya that particularly made her cling to the happy times they had shared together.

Thinking of someone? Payaka squeaked.

"Just a friend back on the island," Sylwa said. "Thinking about how she's doing. She said she lost her twin brother over a year ago and I'm hoping one of the treasures we found could make her feel better,"

Maybe it is only you who she needs to feel better. Said Payaka.

Sylwa wondered if perhaps she was right. Before she could speak, she heard loud voices crying out her name over the silence and sat up. She saw her sisters riding an ilu together and when they spotted her, Kiri urged their mount to carry them over to them. Payaka purred seeing Sylwa's sister and the duo was awed at her beautiful she was.

"What are you two doing out here?" Sylwa asked, leaning her head forward to talk to them whilst crouching.

"You said you were gonna take us to see her," Tuk whined.

"I'm sorry," she apologised. "But I didn't want to risk either of your lives or get you into trouble,"

"We really wanted to meet the one who saved you," Kiri looked into Payaka's friendly eyes and stroked her. "Thank you for saving our sister,"

"Yes! Thank you!" Tuk swam over and hugged her side, making her coo.

No problem. Paya responded, already liking these two girls.

"She likes ya," Sylwa smiled. T

Kiri felt a glimmer blinding her left eye and with her right eye, she saw Sylwa's pouch gleaming with silver and gold. "Where did you get those?"

"I found them in the sea. They were just lying there," Sylwa pulled them onto Payaka and showed her sisters the treasures. "And you're not gonna believe this," they leaned in closer. "When I found this," the golden shell necklace with pearled strings flashed under the bright sun. "I heard this voice…singing a lullaby. I know it sounds strange but…it was miraculous. I could also feel the presence of the singer closely. It sounds weird but…"

"It doesn't," Kiri said. "The Great Mother wanted you to hear that for a reason,"

"Where's Lo'ak?" asked Tuk. Before Sylwa could even answer, her twin and his spirit brother erupted from the water and the older and young sisters were stunned seeing a Taquamare for the first time. Tsu'tey swam over, with Lo'ak on his back. His snout drew closer to Tuk who shuffled back in ear.

"It's okay Tuki," soothed Sylwa. "He won't hurt you. Hold your hands out," she lifted the nervous Tuk's hand in front of Tsu'tey's snout. And then Kiri's.

"Let him come to you," said Lo'ak. Tsu'tey sniffed the hands of the girls and then pressed his snout against their fingers, purring like a reptilic cat again. The girls were amazed. They could see very clearly why their brother had come to see this creature who had saved his life as a dear friend.

"He's so beautiful," Kiri stroked his mane. Tsu'tey sniffed her, sensing something strange within her but

"His snout is so soft," Tuk scratched his chin.

Aww, that's the spot. He cooed. He then licked the excited girl's face with his long fork-shaped tongue.

"I love him!" Tuk hugged his face much to his embarrassment. His left eye's iris's looked back at Lo'ak who just shrugged. He dismounted him and climbed onto Paya's back.

"What does he eat?" asked Kiri.

"Uh…berries, algae, little fish, a lot of things really," Lo'ak described his spirit brother as an omnivore. "And not Navi," he said that bit with a severe tone. "You guys will not believe what has happened today,". Sitting on Paya's back altogether, the sisters listened to their brother talk of the beautiful undersea lake in which he and Tsu'tey swam in and their encounter with a pod of Tulkun of whom he had told about the true nature of these misunderstood creatures. They were amazed by how he was willing to make a stand to defend Tsu'tey and his race. But what even more amazed them was how a forest Navi had been chosen to be a Tulkun's spiritual brother.

"I'm very proud of you," said Sylwa.

"If only Dad could hear it," Kiri said. She had always known how difficult things had been so tense between their dad and Lo'ak when it came to the latter earning the former's approval, but she wondered if perhaps his unique bond with a sea creature would make him proud. Lo'ak pursed his lips, thinking about that unlikely chance.

Tsu'tey wiggled his tail around and Tuk tried to catch it. It turned into an entertaining game which her siblings laughed at. He then rolled on his back and she tickled his tummy making him wiggling around for joy. He then rolled in the water and floated on his back like an otter much to their amusement. Tuk then jumped onto his belly and her older siblings watched with joy as she rode Tsu'tey on his belly.

Lo'ak giggled. He had always wanted to introduce his spirit brother to his other sisters. And to Neteyam. He wondered if his older brother would ever consider giving Tsu'tey a chance. It seemed likely never. "I wish Neteyam would give him a chance. Every time we discuss him, it's like he's jealous,"

"Well, you have kind of been spending more time with Atuiko and Tsu'tey than him," Kiri pointed out.

"Kiri," hissed Sylwa. "That's not making him feel better,"

"Sorry," she apologised. She gazed admirably at Tsu'tey as he played with Tuk. "There is really something unique about him. Not just in a physical way but in a spiritual way. And their queues and eyes," she glanced with intriguing eyes at the yellow eyes that matched theirs and his queue similar to theirs but in a different colour. "Is everything grandfather told you before really true?"

"It is. I just wish I could connect to the tree again and talk to him," he wished. "Look what Tsu'tey gave me," he pointed to the crystal hung around his neck by seaweed that Tsu'tey had given him. "And he said I could give you all these," he pulled out three little crystal pendants. "One for you Kiri,". Kiri awed at her amber one. "One for you, Tuk," Tuk shrieked excitedly at her new purple item of jewellery. "And one for you, Sylwa,". She pulled out a cyan one.

"Thank you," she said.

"Don't thank me. Thank Tsu'tey," he gestured to his spirit brother.

Tsu'tey looked into the girls' eyes with his friendly ones. "You're welcome,"

"Did you get one for Neteyam?" Tuk asked.

Lo'ak paused. I didn't. He was too consumed by anger at his brother that he completely forget to get him one.

Yes, he did. Tsu'tey lifted a small green crystal out of the water and held it up to Lo'ak.

"I'm sure with a gift like that from Tsu'tey, he'll give him a chance," said Kiri excitedly.

Thank you. Lo'ak said facially to Tsu'tey. "And here is one for you to give to Tsireya," said Lo'ak, passing a pink crystal pendant to his twin.

"She'll love this. I hope this can make her feel better," Sylwa's excited smile dropped to the sight of Kiri's wide eyes and mad smile. "Oh, don't you start,"

"Sylwa, just admit it. You like her," she teased.

"She's just a friend," she growled when her twin and even Tuk were giving her the goo-goo eye look. "Man, you three are driving me nuts. We need to head back now before Dad realises we're all gone and he blames it on me and Lo'ak,"

Hold on. Paya sailed off, Tsu'tey beside her with Tuk on his back and the ilus following her.

When they returend secretly to the island, the girls walked off to have some sister time whilst Lo'ak walked along the beaches looking for Atuiko and Roxto. He found only Atu by himself, sitting on a rock. He was crying. "Atu…" he said beside him. "What's wrong?"

Atu hugged him. "My dad….wouldn't talk to me or Roxto. When Roxto tried to talk to him about Mum, he just…pushed him away…and he ran off. I tried to talk to him but when he did…he just turned away from me…like…like I didn't make him happy at all,"

Lo'ak was outraged. How could a widowed father treat his children this way when they needed him so much on an anniversary of grief and longing? He reached into his side pouch and pulled out the purple crystal pendant which he had made for his best Navi friend. "Here,"

Atu saw the beautiful piece of jewellery and gently took it. "You made this?"

"Tsu'tey found the crystal. I made it myself,"

"Thank you. You've got one too," he pointed to Lo'ak's crystal pendant. "I'll never take it off," he pulled over his head and touched it. It gleamed like a little purple star. "I love it," he wiped his nose. "Thank you,".

Lo'ak hugged him tightly as he cried into his chest. But then as he cried, he remembered the beautiful song, his new Tulkun spiritual sister had shown him as they linked queues. He closed his eyes and began to sing.

Roxto was walking through the jungles trying to find his brother. Aonung was with him. The chief's son was sad to hear how neglected his best friend felt from the way his father had pushed him and his little brother away. Their footsteps slowed down to the chorus of a song which they had not heard for years.

Oh, the waves roll low
And the waves roll high
And so it goes

Roxto's eyes teared up to the tune of his mother's lullaby. Though the voice didn't belong to his mother, it belonged to a boy who had been so kind to his little brother and to his mother's spiritual sister. He and Aonung looked over the beach cliff edge and saw it was Lo'ak singing it to Atuiko.

Under a bright blue endless sky
Waves try to measure
Days that we treasure
Wave hello
And wave goodbye

But unfortunately, they weren't the only ones who heard it. Soxato was close by. And he was not happy at all to hear it.

Atuiko sniffled and wiped his tears away. "Where did you hear that song?"

Lo'ak who had leaked tears himself wiped his eyes. "I met Aloa today. And when we linked queues, I saw her...with you, and your brother and father,"

Atuiko gasped. "You saw my mother?"

"She was singing that song. And…she was such a beautiful woman. I never imagined I'd see your father so happy,"

As they talked, they noticed Roxto and Aonung walked towards them. Lo'ak felt tense seeing Roxto's wet face. He had heard him singing too. "The way you sang…" he began, the boy twin pursed his lips, feeling like he was gonna get shouted at. "It was so heart-warming. Like she made it feel,"

"A forest boy chosen by Tulkun," Aonung acknowledged. "That truly is something,". He had grown to respect Lo'ak a great deal since he and Sylwa had saved his life but hearing of what had occurred at sea this very day, he could truly recognise Lo'ak as a noble Navi. "Still, I find it strange that a Tulkun would choose two spiritual siblings. Usually, it is only one they choose unless for a specific reason,"

"Aloa had no reason to choose him," sneered a voice. The boys turned around and were shocked to see Soxato, all red-faced. He had listened to their entire conversation.

"Dad, please…" Roxto tried to say but he was completely ignored.

Lo'ak stood away from Atuiko not wanting him to get into trouble; he faced the red-faced general. "It wasn't my choice. Aloa chose me,"

"How dare you bond to my late mate's spiritual sister?"

"Dad, stop it! Just leave him alone!" cried out Atuiko, about to step in but was pulled by his brother, who was unable to let him face their furious dad like that.

"And how dare you take my son out to sea!" Before Lo'ak could try and deny it, he was shut up again. "You think I don't know about the trips you've been taking him on, far away from home where he's supposed to be,"

"Dad, please," Atuiko tried to calm him down. "It was my fault. He had nothing to do with it,". But his father completely ignored him.

Outraged at his behaviour, Lo'ak stood his ground, trying to act like an adult. "Has anyone ever told you that you got serious anger issues?"

"You mock with your words but you don't know anything about me," scoffed the general, snarling at him.

"Well, I know you General have a habit of pushing everyone away including your children just to make yourself feel better," said Lo'ak firmly, crossing his arms. "I know how you treated your sons…" he kept going on at him, ignoring the shaking faces of the boys. "And I know your mate Alunal would be very ashamed of how neglectful and strict you have…"

"Dad no!" Atuiko cried.

Quickly Aonung pushed Lo'ak out of the way before Soxato could hit him. Roxto pushed him back, shouting at him in Navi to calm down. "Go," the prince urged. "Go. Go!"

Knowing how tense he had made it without thinking, Lo'ak turned his back to run but he looked back at Atu urging him to go on. He didn't want to leave him but the kid knew that if he left, his father would only come after them and things would get worse. Reluctantly he turned around and made a dash for it as quickly as he could.

Kiri and Tuk laughed as Sylwa exchanged jokes with them. But she stopped entertaining them when she saw Tsireya sitting by herself among the palm trees at a cliff edge. "You two go…I'll catch up with you later,". She jogged off. The other two exchanged goofy smirks before walking off.

Tsireya was weeping a bit, wiping her eyes. She hadn't been herself this last week. She heard palm leaves being shuffled aside and wiped her face. Turning her head, her eyes caught a concerned Sylwa. "Are you doing okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," the princess wiped her eyes again, standing up. "I'm okay. I'm not crying,". But her broken voice gave up her secret.

"It's okay to cry," Sylwa offered a hug and she took it again. She rubbed her hair. "There. There. I'm here for you. It's gonna be okay,"

"I don't know why I'm crying,"

"It's because you care. There's nothing wrong with that," Sylwa slowly let go. "There. Wipe away the tears,"

Tsireya wiped her eyes. "It's ironic, isn't it? It's been a year and…I still can't get over it,"

"I'd feel the same way if I lost my twin. Out of all my siblings, Lo'ak is the one I'm closest to. He's the bestest friend to me in the whole world. If I lost him, I'd never be able to recover at all. Please let me know if there's…anything I can do. Anything at all,"

Tsireya nodded. "Thank you. You've been so kind to me, Sylwa. You're probably the kindest person I've ever met,"

"Well, you're been very kind to me and my family. We never could have settled here without you. We owe you so much," her hand reached into the side pouch. "I…I…I have…"

Before she could finish, the figure of her frantic twin burst into the scene and she leaned against the trees, panting for life. The girls came over, seeing a frantic face, pale with shock. "What's wrong, bro?" asked Sylwa.

"The general…he…he…" his voice broke.

"Did he harm you?" asked Tsireya quickly, forgetting instantly about her grief.

"No. But…he nearly did. He looked like he was going to kill me,"

"It's okay," Sylwa patted his back. "What happened?"

"I confronted him for his behaviour towards Atu and Roxto. And he was outraged to learn Aloa chose me as her spirit brother and I sang his mate's song,"

The girls were astounded. Tsireya like her brother was proud of how a forest boy had been chosen by a Tulkun but what was more shocking to her was how he could remember the most beloved song of the Metikyena's late benevolent singer. But right now she was more focused on how the general had come so close to harming one of the twins for a second time. "I will talk to my father at once,"

"No," Lo'ak begged.

"Why not? He was going to harm you," Sylwa wanted justice.

"I don't want this to get any worse. Not that it can't even more, worse than that," he had never been more afraid than ever of not being allowed to see Atuiko ago. His words were about to leave his mouth but he bit his tongue. "I just wanna go back to the hut," he stood up straight. And looked at Tsireya seriously. "And please don't tell anyone what happened. I don't want this to get out,"

"Okay," Tsireya accepted his wishes. "But Soxato has got to learn to stop acting like this. I admired your determination to stand up to him for his behaviour,"

"More like foolish," he lamented. "I wanted to act like a grown-up but I acted stupidly. I think i just need some down-time," he couldn't bear to tell Sylwa anymore of what happened. They made their way back to the huts but before they could, they saw their dad, arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed, Betze and Skeera, both faces long and hung standing beside him. "Hut. Now,"

They went inside the hut where Neteyam was sitting and faced him. "I know you two sent your ikrans to watch over me and keep me distracted from your actual activities. Care to tell me what you two have been up to?"

"We've just been hanging out with our friends," Lo'ak was partially true.

"Where did you two get those?" he pointed to the crystals hung around their necks.

"We found them on the beach," lied Sylwa.

His voice rose. "You both went to the sea again didn't you!"

The twins froze. They were caught. "Nothing happened!" Lo'ak tried to calm him down.

Jake smacked his forehead. "How many times must we go through this? You two could have been spotted by the Sky people. Or worse of those devil Taquamares!"

"Dad, they're not devils!" shouted Lo'ak, outraged. He realised what he had done but it was too late.

"How do you know?" Jake asked. "You've never even seen one,"

"Neither have you or any of the Metkayina. What if they're just misunderstood?" challenge Sylwa.

"It is dangerous! Do you think I wanna see you two dead without protection like the last two times?"

"We're not kids anymore!"

"Don't you take that tone of voice at me, young lady! As long as you are part of this family, you'll obey my rules…"

"But if you would just listen…" Lo'ak tried to argue.

"What's been drawing you two out to visit the reef? What could possibly be out there? that makes you spend less time with your siblings and be so distant from your brother?" he gestured to Neteyam who the twins glared at. He shrugged.

"We can't tell you," Lo'ak said simply.

"You're both grounded! You're to stay in this hut for a month!"

"What?!" the twins now felt like prisoners.

"It's done. And don't think I don't know you've been dragging your siblings and Atuiko into it as well,"

"Dad, if you would try to understand…" Sylwa tried to say.

"I don't wanna hear it," he shut her up.

"Would you just listen?!" Lo'ak tried to stand his ground but their father erupted with anger.

"Not another word! And I'm never, never to hear of you two going to the open sea again! Is that clear?!"

The twins were frightened of his temper. They instantly turned back and shifted to the corner of the hut and hunched down on their feet. Jake took a moment to calm down but instantly he became partially consumed with shame for the way he spoke. He decided to leave the tent, leaving Neteyam and the twins alone.

Neteyam stood up. "Guys…"

"How could you?" demanded Lo'ak, standing up and facing him.

"You two didn't say anything about not telling him you both have been going past the reef," he pointed out. "I'm sorry I did what I did...but I didn't have a choice. You both are risking your lives for two outcast creatures and what's worse is you dragged our sisters and Tsireya and Atuiko into it,"

"Don't you accuse us of endangering our family and families!" Sylwa shouted, forcing him back. "Thanks to you, we're stuck in here! And our friends won't be able to see us again. Honestly…" She was crying now. "Why can't you just trust us? Believe in us?" Her broken words made Neteyam feel guilty. She slumped back in her corner.

Lo'ak pulled out the small green crystal, Tsu'tey had brought him for Neteyam and slammed it into his palm. "Tsu'tey actually gave me this to give to you. And now I wish he hadn't," he turned his back, swatting the end of his tail into Neteyam's face and sat next to his sister, holding her as she began crying. Guilt-ridden as ever, Neteyam walked out of the hut, leaving them alone. There was nothing else left to be said afterwards. Neither of the twins wanted to talk to any of the family. Neytiri was outraged at Jake for grounding them like that even though she too was not happy to hear that over the past few weeks, the twins had been sneaking out into the open sea where it was dangerous. Kiri and Tuk felt guilty too. They cradled the crystal pendants which Lo'ak had given to them, wishing there was something they could do in return.

That's another chapter done. Once again i do not own this song. Credit goes to Disney. I'm sorry I keep repeating but i just don't want to see this story deleted because I wanted to use this song. I just really thought that it would fit the theme of this part of te story very well. Hope you all enjoyed it a lot. Thank you all for your support. See you all soon.