I neither own nor claim any rights to Avatar...

AVATAR:
LIFE GOES ON
(Part Nine)

Spider had spent the entire day with Tuk and her friend Jedru. He liked the Na'vi boy a lot. He was polite, mindful of others, and he didn't care that Tuk's adopted brother was human. That was a contrast to how the other Metkayina reacted when they looked at him. Tonowari had affirmed Jake Sully's decision to adfopt Spider, and his tribe would not overtly challenge that. But the look in their eyes, and the way they would speak in hushed tones behind his back told him that their acceptance of him was barely clinging to the surface. If they knew what he had done...

Wel, they didn't have to know. His adoptive parents would not speak of it. Tuk would not rat him out. Kiri had his back, and Lo'ak had always been like a brother to him, even more than Neteyam had been. And Lo'ak was going to be groomed to become the next Olo'eyktan of the tribe. When that would happen, the matter of Spider's outward appearance would be settled. He knew that he would never be able to achieve his Second Birth, because he could not make the bond with any of the wildlife. Be that as it may, he intended to pass every ritual he possibly could, and prove himself to the People in every way possible that only the most stubborn among them would continue to hold a grudge. Ao'nung would no doubt be the top dog in that group.

He could see that the chief's son was interested in Kiri. There was no denying that he would be a better choice for her as a life mate, for obvious reasons. But Kiri could be stubborn as well, and she was adamant that her heart already belonged to Spider. Na'vi jealousy was not something to be trifled with. If there was a genuine threat to his safety, it would come from Ao'nung. But that was a concern for later.

Now, he was heading home in the afternoon, as Tuk and Jedru both went to do their harvesting. The storm that had been on the horizon that morning had threatened the island for hours. There was lightning and thunder, and a lot of wind, but apparently only the outer edge of it had brushed the village. It was a long-standing human notion that one should never turn their back on the ocean. Clearly, that at least was something the Metkayina shared with them. This made him think about how he ould use everything he could find about reverence of the sea to help build a cultural bridge.

Presently, he arrived at the Sully hut, where he found Kiri sitting alone.

"I see you, Kiri," he said in Na'vi. with a smile on his face. A smile which melted away as she looked up, and he saw the tears streaking her face. "Hey," he said as he knelt down next to her, taking her hand gently in both of his. "What happened?"

Kiri squeezed his hands gently and she tried to force a smile. "Nothing, monkey boy," she teased, but the words lacked her usual mirth.

"Whatever it is, my Kiri, You can tell me." She had his back, and so he would have hers in all things.

Kiri shook her head. "I don't want to go into it. Not here. Not now. The others will be home from the communal meal soon, and I'm not ready for them to hear any of it."

Spider understood. "Let's do another picnic tomorrow. Just you and me. You can tell me everything, and you know I'll keep your secret."

At his suggestion, her eyes brightened. She would finally be able to let everything out about how she was feeling, knowing that she might well be this Seed Bearer Ronal spoke of with such devotion. She wiped the tears from her face and smiled at Spider. "I would like that."

Oh, God, thought Spider. Her smile. The joy in her eyes. The love in her voice. She was so beautiful to him. in every way. With the weight of his deeds off his shoulders, at least for now, he found himself free to feel joy of his own for the first time since he returned to this village with the Sully family... HIS family... after the battle. And the love he felt for her and had already confessed to her felt stronger than ever. He lifted her hand as he leaned forward to kiss it, but stopped as he remembered that the mask he was wearing would not allow the act. "Damn," he grumbled. "I can't even kiss your hand."

Kiri closed her eyes, but that sweet smile never left her face. "Look at me, Spider," she said as she opened her eyes again, meeting his directly. "I... see... you." she said slowly and tenderly.

Spider's eyes widened as a feeling of emotion exploded into his very soul. It was beyond anything he had ever felt before. Somehow, for a brief moment, he knew Kiri completely, as if she were a part of him on all levels. Mind, body and soul. He wondered if she felt something similar from him in that moment. It was intoxicating. He knew that a mated Na'vi couple would make the bond with each other, and what he felt in that moment was like what he had heard that the bond was like. It made him long to be a Na'vi in truth as he had so many times before. But if this was real, If Kiri had somehow managed to touch his soul, maybe he wouldn't need to.

Kiri's eyes widened with surprise. She didn't understand how, but for a moment, she could feel an impossible connection to Spider. For a brief moment, she knew him completely. She could feel his love for her, radiating from what made him truly him like a sun. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before, even when she connected with her ilu, or with that anemone... The closest thing she could think of that it felt like was when she had connected with the Spirit Tree that day she had the seizure. She wondered if Spider felt anything as well, and the look on his face told her all she needed to know. This was not normal. But if Ronal was right, then nothing about her was normal. Maybe Eywa had blessed her with a gift that would allow her and Spider to experience everything a true mated Na'vi pair could, in spite of the physical limitations between them.

"I love you," they both said in unison. The moment of connection may have passed, yet they still spoke with one voice. One heart. One mind...

One soul.

O O O

Ao'nung lay awake that night, staring at the ceiling. He was annoyed. At Lo'ak and his sister for making too much sense. At Kiri for insisting on remaining involved with Spider. At Spider for just being alive to begin wih. And most of all, at himself or letting all this stuff get to him. He was a warrior. Up until the Sully family came to them, he had been content with any of the choices that lay ahead of him. They all were honerable prospects, and whichever he would have chosen would would have earned him much respect. From his parents, and from the people. He wanted to hate Lo'ak at first. But the forest boy had done the unexpected. Rather than pursuing justice, he had lied to protect him. He put himself in trouble with his father to spare him the trouble that he rightly deserved. This made him feel true shame for his actions, and he was determined to make things right. After that, he had only respect for Lo'ak, and he would extend that respect to the rest of his family.

At the time, he had not known about Spider. Kiri didn't bring him up, and her adopted siblings didn't eaither, no doubt to avoid upsetting her. Had he known about the human boy from the beginning, it would have been easier. But after the battle... After he had seen the things Kiri could do, when the Sullys returned, there was Kiri, walking hand-in-hand with Spider. It was only then that Lo'ak had explained their relationship. So now this human boy was standing in the way of what he had convinced himself would be his best destiny. To marry Kiri. To move to a new island with some of the younger members of the tribe, and start their own, thus reducing the population of his home village so that food would be more plentiful, while still retaining familial ties. His wife would be the most powerful and gifted Tsahik to ever ride the waves. And enemies would fear what they could do together. He had decided to hate Spider for getting in the way of that.

Now here he was, once again feeling shamed by Lo'ak's words. He had watched Spider from a distance as he followed his adopted sister and the runt, Jedru, whom he really had no complaints about like some of the other young people. He was dutiful and thoughtful. Already showing signs of becoming a person who might advise council members when he got older. And Tuk was being taught by her mother who was originally to have been the Tsahik of her own village. And his own mother was giving her some lessons as well. If she and Jedru were to become a mated pair when they got older, they could be the ones to leave to start their own village, with Jedru as Olo'eyktan and Tuk as his Tsahik. The thought actually made him smile.

His other choices were to marry the Tsahik of another village, preferably one that was not an ally, thus securing peace between the two tribes for as long as he and his mate would live. And longer if they were to bear children. Or he could remain here and serve as the First Warrior to Lo'ak when he would become Olo'eyktan. There was still plenty of time to decide on what to do. One thing was for sure, and that was he wanted to keep all three options open to him. But there was no young woman of his tribe that had caught his eye the way Kiri had. But if he were ever to have a chance at marrying her, he would need her forgiveness. And if he were to ever get her forgiveness, he must find a way to settle his differences with Spider. Besides, whether he liked it or not, his father had proclaimed Spider a member of the tribe as the adopted son of Jake Sully, whom his father now openly called a brother. Holding onto grudges with the human bow would not be productive. He knew that after the things he had said, it would take a lot of work. He wondered to himself if it would be worth the effort. Either way, it needed to be done. And as he always had, he would do his duty.

Resolved to being open to all three prospects again, rather than focusing on the most problematic one, he found his mind quieted enough that he drifted into a reasonably peaceful sleep.

O O O

Jake and Neytiri had awakened with the dawn and had found that Kiri and Spider were already up as well.

"And what are you two scheming about," Jake said with a lop-sided smile on his face. An expression Spider returned, while Kiri blushed a deeper shade of blue.

"We're hatching a plot to dominate the world, one picnic at a time, starting today," came Spider's quick sarcastic response.

Neytiri rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile at the sound of Kiri's genuine laughter. She had been so distant for the past couple of days. So withdrawn. It had bothered her that she did not join them for the communal meal the previous night. When they got back, Kiri seemed in much better spirits, and clearly today's picnic with Spider was the reason. Part of her was still struggling with the fact that the boy had spared the life of the greatest enemy her family had ever faced. And were it not for Neteyam's words when they had communed with him through the Spirit Tree, she knew that she would have insisted on casting him away. But Neteyam was happy that Spider was now truly his brother, and he had made it clear that he needed help with his terrible burden. That was enough for her to finally let herself see Spider. And he did truly make Kiri happy. She wanted that for Grace's daughter, more than anything else. Whatever was troubling her, she would speak of it when she was ready. In the meantime, Let the young ones enjoy being young.

Jake chuckled at Spider's comment. "Well, you two have fun." He turned to Neytiri. "Shall we fly?"

She nodded and took his outstretched hand, and together they set a brisk pace up into the higher ground of the island, whee their Ikran stayed. This was going to be a little date of their own. They weren't sure what all they would do while out and about, but they needed a good, peaceful flight. Riding sea creatures was well and good, but an Ikran and its rider were bonded for life, and they needed to fly together.

As they soared high in the sky, Neytiri continued to think about things. In her spirit she had been feeling a heaviness that she didn't understand. The continuing threat from the demon Quaritch she now knew existed was tied to it, she was sure. She needed answers.

They found themself approaching the cove of the ancestors, unmistakable due to the floating rock in circular formation. She barked a call to get Jake's attention and made a gesture for them to land. He noded and a moment later, they were both climbing off their respective ikran.

"I want to go to the Spirit Tree to see our son," Neytiri said.

Jake nodded solemnly. "Then let's do it." He wanted to talk to his boy again as well. He wanted to tell him what was happening, though he figured that Neteyam already knew.

They dove into the waters of the deep lagoon, which surrounded the Spirit Tree, which was glowing warmly with the inviting light of Eywa. They approached and attached their queues to the same branch, which would allow them to share the same experience, just like last time, and reality shifted.

They were in the ocean, treading water serenely. There was nothing but a sense of peace and joy as a beautiful melody seemed to encompass them. A melody which seemed to originate from the sea itself, and a moment later they understood why. A beautiful Tulkun surfaced, and the song ceased. Its markings were unmistakable. "Jake, it's Ro'a," Neytiri exclaimed with a smile. "Ronal's Spirit Sister."

Jake's attention was turned to the side as a second Tulkun surfaced, clearly a male, fully grown. But there was a Na'vi riding on his back. "Neteyam," he called out, and Neytiri turned her attention to her son.

"Father," Neteyam said, appearing as he hadthe day he became one with Eywa, but without the fatal wounds. "Mother,"

Both of the Tulkun were facing them now, the male warbling a question, which both Jake and Neytiri understood perfectly in this place. Their children had learned to understand the languages of Ilu and Tulkun, but they had not. But in this place, there was no barrier to communication. "You are my friend's parents?"

"Yes, we are," Neytiri answered, and Jake couldn't stop grinning.

"You bonded with a Tulkun," Jake asked.

Neteyam chuckled. "Well I couldn't let Lo'ak have all the fun, could I?"

The Tulkun made a sound which was clearly their form of laughter.

Reality shifted again, and the three Na'vi stood on the shore of a small island, looking out to sea where the two Tulkun frolicked in the currents. "This will make it easier for us to talk," Neteyam said, catching his parents' attention." "I know you have questions, mother."

Jake had his own questions, but it was Neytiri who had asked to land at the cove. He would wait for her to get what answers she could.

"I am troubled about the demon man still being out there to harm us. Should we seek him out?"

Neteyam closed his eyes reverently, then shook his head. "He is far away. He lies ahead on the path, and you will face him again, but for now he is far away from you. There is time to live and learn. And prepare. I am glad that Spider told you what he had done. His soul can now heal, as the Great Mother wills."

A ripple of shadow blossomed out around Neytiri, and reality trembled.

"Careful, mother," Neteyam warned. "Do not direct your pain at Eywa. Give it over to her. That is how your soul will heal."

Neytiri gasped. In her heart, just then, she had demanded to know why the great mother cared about the soul of an alien when her own was in turmoil. And that demand had radiated from her like an explosion of darkness. Her own mother had warned her to never commune with Eywa with anger in her heart. It threatens the Balance. "Forgive me, she said, looking to the sky, and she felt a wave of peace wash over her.

Several moments passed and Neytiri returned her attention to her son, who was smiling at her. "Kiri is happy with Spider, but there's something weighing her down lately. I want to help her with it."

Neteyam shook his head. "You cannot. She will not walk her path alone, but it is not you who must walk it with her." and the confused look that was on both his parents' faces, he continued. "She is receiving the answers to her questions, but she doesn't know how to deal with them. It is like she had been walking in shallow water in one moment, only to find herself struggling to escape a whirlpool in the ocean the next. It will get easier for her, but not before it gets harder. If you must say anything to her, say that. And that she will not be alone."

Neteyam told them the last time that he would not be able to reveal things directly to them, but would say what he could to help them make the decisions that would lead them along the right path. His words here felt exactly like that was what he was doing.

Suddenly, the sky darkened wits stormclouds, and the Tulkun disappeared beneath the watter, as a blood-curdling scream ripped through the air.

Neteyam was standing their with closed eyes and nodding as if listening to the words of an unseen speaker.

"You must both leave now," he said, urgently. "The services of a Tsahik are needed."

Before they could react, they were awake under the water, connected to the Spirit Tree. Yhey disconnected their queues and swam for the surface. Wasting no time, they reached the shore and ran for their Ikran and were quickly in the air, heading back to the village. Neither knew what was happening, but they knew they needed to hurry.

O O O

Kiri and Spider sat on a blanket in a natural clearing in the woods further inland. This was one of the places Kiri had discovered while exploring after the family had arrived here. It reminded her of home. Sure the trees surrounding the clearing we a lot more sparse, and the sounds of woodland life was far more diminished, but it felt far more familiar than anywhere else at the time. Since then, she had come to love the sea, and her ilu. and all the other life that existed here. She found herself as strongly connected to it as she had with the creatures of the forest.

It was a bit of a challenge for Spider to eat his meal, because he had to keep taking his mask off long enough to take a bite or a drink. But it was just a minor inconvenience. But he didn't mind. He wis with Kiri, and there was not a single thing that he wouldn't endure for her.

With the meal finished, it was time for talking. And Kiri was ready to share her burden. "I am sorry if I've been so... unsettled lately."

Spider drew his knees up, wrapping his arms around them as he looked to Kiri to share her troubles.

"I have had questions about myself, and only since coming here have I begun to start having them answered." She told him about her incident with the Spirit Tree. About her natural connection with the sea creatures, and how she used that connection in the battle. "And then the other day, Ronal told me of a prophecy delivered by the Tulkun about a super-being called the Seed Bearer, who would be able to do all these things."

Spider was astounded. It sounded like she was describing a messiah-type being. One that was both God and mortal. He had come to believe that the human messiah was Jesus, but until now he had never know that the Na'vi had any sort of theological counterpart. And he had always known that Kiri was special in her connection with nature. The way ripples of life force seemed to swell around her on occasion, and when it did, she was like another being, far far beyond any consciousness he had ever known. He knew that it was true. He didn't understand how, but he felt the truth of it. "And yet, in spite of all that, you choose to love me," he said, remembering that brief moment of connection he experienced the night before.

At his words, Kiri burst into tears. She had just told him that she might be Eywa incarnate, and all he cared about was the love they shared. "Yes.," she responded. "No matter what happens, I love you."

He looked her in the eyes. "And last night. I felt you. Every bit of you, merged with every bit of me. It was only a fleeting moment, but I felt it."

Her eyes widened. "I felt the same thing. It was like Tsaheylu. But without the physical act of bonding."

Spider grinned. "I would call that a miracle," he said, then chuckled. "And you know what that means?"

The unloading of the weight of all this made her giddy. "What?"

"Ao'nung was wrong." he replied. "We CAN share everything a Na'vi couple can share."

She fixed him with a smile, rolling her eyes. What a morning it had been. "Lay next to me, monkey boy," she said as she stretched out on the blanket, and looked up at the clear sky.

"Spider swallowed hard. There was nothing seductive or suggestive about her words. It was simply an invitation to share close company with her, and he would not assume to take it any further than that. He adjusted his oxygen pack and joined her at her side. She raised up slightly, inviting him to place his arm behind her shoulders, and when he did, she curled into him, resting her head on his shoulder.. and they drifted off to sleep like that, carried on waves of peace and love.

Suddenly, Kiri jerked upright, startling Spider awake. Her breathing was fast and pained, and she was clutching her abdomen.

"Kiri, what is it," he shouted with concern.

"The child is coming," she groaned through clinched teeth. "And something is wrong!"

Spider was stunned. "How could you be having a child?"

Even through the pain she was feeling, she couldn't stifle a laugh. "Not me, you idiot. Ronal is in labor, and something is wrong. We need to get back to the village, quickly."

He didn't question her. Clearly this was more of that Seed Bearer stuff. How she could know what was going on with a woman back in the village, he couldn't know. But he knew the Tsahik was getting very close to her time. Today was as good a day as any for it to happen. He quickly gathered everything up and slug the pack across his shoulder, and they wasted no time making their way back as quickly as possible.

O O O

Tonowari and his village trade council had been meeting for about an hour, discussing all the numbers regarding productivity and projected consumption of resources for the next few months. This was always one of the more headache-enducing topics, and he hated having to oversee it. But an Olo'eyktan could not pick and choose his duties. It was an all-or-nothing deal, which he had accepted a long time ago. He never shirked his duties. But he could still hate having to perform them.

He had listened to the different tradespeople and was preparing to begin expressing his thoughts, when the tent flap opened and Tuk and young Jedru rushed in, both breathing heavily as if they had run from one end of the village to the other. Had their faces not been so grave, he might have reprimanded them for the interruption. Instead, he felt concern well up inside him. "What has happened, children," he said, calmly.

"I see you," Tuk rushed, still catching her breath. "It is Ronal. Her water has broken."

There were murmurs of cheerful words from the tradespeople, and Tonowari could not keep a smile from forming on his face. "We shall continue this meeting later," he said, and the others began standing. "Thank you, children," he said to Tuk and Jedru as he moved purposefully to the exit.

He made his way quickly bak to his hut, where he found Tsireya already at Ronal's side tending to her.

"Tonowari," Ronal called to him weakly. She had been so tired lately, and she had not slept well the night before.

He knelt down beside his wife, as Tsireya stepped back. He took her hand in his and looked into her eyes. "I am here, my love," he said tenderly. Soon the labor pains would begin, and he would be at her side through it all. He prayed to Eywa that nothing would go wrong this time. They had tried so many times for a third child, and had lost each one. But this time, Ronal had carried the child full-term, so there was hope.

With the comfort of Tonowari's presence, Ronal drifted into a shallow sleep. Exhasuted from her restlessness of late. A few minutes later, she awoke with a start. "Something... is... wrong," she said weakly.

Tonowari leaned forward and kissed her hand. He began praying again.

Ronal was wracked with tremors, as if she were enduring a fever, and then the pain began building. Though she tried to maintain control, she was unable to stifle the blood-curdling scream. She couldn't see. it was as if she had been plunged into the deep shadows under the sea. It was the same thing that had happened each time she lost an unborn child. And she began to weep with the familiar grief. "I'm losing our child," she wailed."

Tonowari knew not to contradict her. After so many times, she knew what was happening. All he could do was cry with her, and hold her, not ever letting go. She would not be alone in this even for a moment.

A moment later, Jake Sully and Neytiri entered the hut. Tonowari looked up in surprise, and locked eyes with Neytiri.

"We were communing with our son at the Spirit Tree," she said. "And he told us we had to return. That a Tsahik's hands would be needed."

Tonowari nodded. This was something different from last time. There was someone very skilled in the ways of a Tsahik there now. And so that had to mean there was still hope. "I'm still here, my love," he assured Ronal as he made room for Neytiri. "I will go nowhere."

Neytiri quickly knelt down and began examining Ronal. She was no dilating quickly enough. And as she opened her mind and soul to Eywa and to all around her, she could feel the wrongness. She had seen this before. And not even her mother was able to stop it. Her eyes once again met Tonowari's and tears came to her face as she shook her head.

It was at that moment, the atmosphere of the hut changed. There was a calmness and a feeling of peace. And then Kiri and Spider entered.

Tonowari was shocked that the human would dare enter his house uninvited, but he looked at Kiri's face, and saw the same serene and wise expression as he had seen a few days ago.

"Stand aside, mother," Kiri said with a calm authority. Neytiri's eyes widened with surprise, not that her adopted daughter had commanded her, but that she could not fight the compulsion to obey. This was beyond her.

Kiri now knelt beside Ronal, resting her hand on the woman's forehead. "You see me," she said.

Ronal gasped. The darkness vanished and she found herself looking into Kiri's eyes, which to her, seemed by shine as brightly as the sun. "I see you, Seed Bearer."

"Tsaheylu," Kiri said.

"Ronal understood. She pulled her Queue forward and allowed Kiri to take it. This was not normal. It went against tradition and was seen as a thing accursed to some. But she felt only trust towards the young woman looking at her with those shining eyes. She nodded, and Kiri connected her own Queue to Ronal's.

Tonowari, Jake, Neytiri Tsireya and Spider were all shocked at this action. They watched as Kiri closed her eyes and seemed to be searching for something, based on her expression and head movements.

"I see it," Kiri said. "An old injury that never healed right. Caused when your second was born. It has made birthing a child impossible since." Pain seemed to surge through her, even as Ronal's back arched and the older woman screamed. The light of the candles intensified, and the tiny pinpricks of light that were on both of their skins turned a bright red, which faded to purple, and then to blue. "It is healed," Kiri said. "And now the child," again she cringed with pain, and the pinpricks of light on her skin went almost dark. She clinched her teeth and groaned with what seemed like tremendous effort. and the light faded back to normal intensity and color. "Be ready, the child comes quickly." She broke the connection of Tsaheylu and struggled to her feet, almost collapsing.

Spider was at her side, helping her to ease down. The serene expression, he noted, was gone from her face, and she looked confused, and scared.

Neytiri wasted no time. She was back at Ronal's side, she reached out her senses again, and this time, there was no sense of wrongness. In fact, there was a lingering sense of something she had only felt once when she had communed with Eywa as a child back home. "Push," she instructed Ronal, as the normal birthing process occurred. Kiri had not exaggerated. While the process proceeded normally, the time it took was far less than one would expect. And the pain that normally came with it was significantly reduced. Ronal groaned with effort, but she did not cry out.

Tonowari looked back and forth between his wife and Kiri, who was still sitting there looking scared and confused. Their eyes met, and Tonowari smiled. This caused the girl to noticeably relax. She was not going to be in trouble. He turned his attention back to Ronal as she pushed one final time, and then Neytiri was holding his newborn daughter in her hands. He approached and knelt down with a pristine blade to cut the umbilical cord, which he then tied off. He then took the infant from Neytiri, who smiled reassuringly at him. He then moved to Ronal's side. There were joyful tears in his eyes as he held the child out for his wife to hold. "Our daughter," he said solemnly.

Ronal let her own tears of joy fall as she held her newborn child close for the first time. marveling at the tiny whimpering sounds she made. She had not cried, but seemed to be perfectly content. Everything about what had happened here was miraculous, and she had no doubt that Kiri was indeed the Seed Bearer. Only someone touched by Eywa herself could do what had just been done. Offering up silent praise, she kissed her bay on the forehead. Then she looked around at everyone who was now gathered in the hut. "The rest of the village will learn this in a few days," she began. "But I want you all to know our new daughter's name today."

Neytiri and Jake shared an astonished look. This was a great honor. Only immediate family were usually privy to the name of a new child. That they were all included was a testimony to the regard in which the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik held them. Even Spider.

"Her name shall be known from this day forth as Ro'a'alani," Ronal said solemnly.

"Ro'a'alani!" everyone in the hut said in unison.

"But that is not all," Ronal stated. "I name Kiri, the Seed Bearer, as her godmother, if she will accept."

Kiri's eyes widened. This was totally unexpected. She was only about to turn fifteen years old. How could she be anyone's godmother? At the same timethe notion brought a sense of peace to her soul. "I am not worthy," she said. "But I am honored to accept." She did not fully understand what had happened here, but she knew that Eywa had worked mightily through her, using Tsaheylu to heal both an expectant mother and unborn daughter, and she could not deny that she was indeed the Seed Bearer. She still did not know what that meant for her future, but so far it was proving to be a thing of blessing.

Today was a new day for her in so many way. And for the first time in a long time, she felt like she could go forward without fear. After all, as the miraculous birth of her goddaughter, and the circumstances of her own conception and birth both proved...

...Life goes on.

Well folks... That brings us to the point where I had planned to end this story. I knew I wanted to end it with a major stepping out moment for Kiri as she begins to embrace what she is. But I wasn't sure what the actual event of that moment would be. It should have been clear to me from the start that it should involve the birth of Ronal's baby.

I also always intended to leave loose ends, especially Ao'nung's interest in Kiri. As well as how things will play out with Quaritch. I'd like to continue writing stories in this head canon for Avatar. But I would like to involve you guys. This story was about everyone coming to terms with themselves and each other in the wake of the events of "The Way of Water." But there are many stories that can still be told. So I would like to open the floor for you guys to toss out "what if" scenarios, and I will try to wrap stories around them.

Feel free to send me PMs with your ideas, and I'll see what I can do.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Take care.