Author's Note: Alright, my loves. I did it. The scene that inspired this entire story at the end of this chapter. It didn't work out exactly as I imagined, but I am definitely here for the drama. I'm sorry about the wait, I do hope that you all enjoy this next chapter. Let me know what you think! Hearing from all of you really inspired me to keep pushing onward so I appreciate it. Enjoy!
Neteyam coughs so hard that his entire body is shaking. He pressed his side against the trunk of a tree, gasping for breath. His throat aches almost as bad as his body does. Days without adequate rest and how much he has been pushing himself these last few days coupled still with the fact that he's sick has really drained him of all of his energy. He's not sure how much further he's going to be able to take this. He knows that he needs to stop, but he can't. Not yet.
Ronal is rubbing at his back, her usually stoic face twisted into concern. He feels bad for making her worry about him, even if it's only to ensure that her family can get somewhere safe, he still feels bad for it. Too many people get worried over a little cough, he hates to make more feel obligated to worry about him. It's just a little cold. He wasn't taking care of himself properly and now he's paying the price for it. No biggie.
He'll rest up once they get back to First Base. It'll be easy to do seeing as it sounds like his dad was going to ground them all for the rest of their lives.
"You are pushing yourself too much," she says pulling his thoughts back to the present, voice even. "We need to sit and rest again."
Neteyam shakes his head, head pounding. "I can make it," he rasps, voice scratching at his sensitive throat. "I can."
"We don't mind, really," Tsireya says, smiling sweetly despite the concern creasing between her eyes. "And it really feels like we are making good time. Yeah?" She glances at Lo'ak next to her for confirmation.
He nods, stepping closer to place a hand on Neteyam's cheek. "Yeah, bro. You don't look so good. Just five minutes. We're doing good." His golden eyes watch his face closely, The braid with both of his Sully beads, green, his favorite color, dangles in front his face.
Neteyam hesitates, wanting to get everyone to safety as soon as possible. Something is wrong. The forest is acting strange. Something is out there with them, but it doesn't feel like the thanator. He could be wrong, of course, but the forest isn't reacting the same way it would if it was a thanator hunting. His mother always told him that the forest speaks a very difficult language for anyone to understand. But as one of the People, it was their way of life, so they did the best they could to understand what it's trying to say.
"It is important, Neteyam," Neytiri had said, pushing his braids over his shoulder. "When the forest speaks, it is always important."
A pit is forming in his stomach. Something is out there, Lo'ak has been hearing it too. Neteyam keeps catching the look of trepidation that his brother keeps sending him. They can't stick around. They have already stopped too many times. He understands that he's pushing himself and he understands that he is going to pay the price, but he can't justify staying out here. Especially with worry coiling in his gut.
Everyone is exhausted from days of travel without adequate food, water, and rest. They are all ready to settle down somewhere and just relax. Recover from these last few days for Spider and the Sully siblings, and at least a week for the reef Na'vi.
Which reminds him; he glances over at Spider. He clears his throat slightly, flinching in pain before rasping, "How is your air, Spider? Are you okay?"
Spider looks at the pack on his side, nodding. He gives Neteyam a thumbs up. "I'm still good. I have a few hours left. Your dad still has a few extra containers for me, right? Just in case?"
Neteyam nods, taking a few deep breaths, willing his lungs to fill. Neteyam hesitates, looking around at all the tired faces around him before stopping on Ronal's stern expression. His lips part, about to insist that he was okay but another coughing fit grips his chest in a threatening squeeze and he twists away to cough into his shoulder and not her face.
"Your fever is back in full force," Ronal says, placing a hand on his forehead, tutting to herself. She moves her hand to his throat, feeling the immense heat radiating from it and her frown pulls tightly into a scowl. "We have to rest. We will find more medicine for you."
"We are almost there," Neteyam protests, his voice cutting in and out again. Lo'ak flinches at the sound, face twisting in worry.
Tuk creeps closer, golden eyes wide in worry, staring up at Neteyam. She reaches out to take his hand. "We have to rest, Neteyam. You promised Papa that you would look after yourself while he's gone. You promised."
He did. He did promise. It was one of the reasons his papa even agreed to go around to the other clans. So long as Neteyam promised to look after himself - and his siblings, of course - then he would go with no fear. Neteyam tried so hard to do right by his parents, now he feels the crushing weight of disappointment settling on his shoulders. No one has spoken to him yet, in that regard, but he already knows that his parents are going to be so disappointed with him.
Reluctantly, Neteyam nods his head and lowers to a sit by the trunk of the tree, wheezing a few breaths. Just melting into the despair those thoughts wrought upon him saps what little bits of his strength that he has left. Tuk lowers to his side, her little hand running up and down his arm in a comforting way. Neteyam offers her a thin smile of appreciation, but the hopelessness settles heavily in his gut.
"I'll come with you," Ronal says, turning to Lo'ak. "Are there herbs nearby?"
Lo'ak nods. He gives a little wave of the hand for her to follow before leading her into the forest. She cuts a look toward Tonowari, who hesitates, like he wants to follow, but the meaningful look she sends his way earns a nod and he lets her go without question. Neteyam closes his eyes for a moment, struggling around a swallow when he feels someone drop down at his side.
He opens his eyes to look at Ao'nung, tilting his head, curiously.
"Is there water nearby?" Ao'nung asks, his voice quiet. His beautiful blue eyes focused on Neteyam's face, searching for the answer as if it were scribbled across his forehead.
Neteyam nods, moving to stand up.
"No," Ao'nung says, resting a hand on Neteyam's knee. "I'll go get some water for everyone. It's close, right?"
Neteyam nods again, placing a hand over Ao'nung's and offering a little smile. "I'll come. I want to cool off."
Ao'nung's shoulders dip a bit, but he nods, pulling his hand away and moving to stand. He holds his hand out for Neteyam, to which the other boy is immensely grateful for, and pulls him to his feet. Ao'nung alerts the gathered Na'vi of what they are doing and a few offers to come along. Rotxo, Tonowari, Tuk, and Tsireya come with, bringing everyone's water skins to fill up after draining them, leaving the rest of the Na'vi behind as Neteyam leads them towards massive bulbus flowers that are shaped like a scoop of some sort.
Neteyam brings one down over the top of his head, letting the water drop down over the back of his neck, shoulders and down his back in rivets. He lets out a little sigh of relief as the others start pulling down the flowers and draining the water into their water skins. He takes a minute to let the shock of cold water force his system to seize for a second. His entire body trembles for a second as he pushes himself through the feeling.
He takes a few deep breaths before leaning back and opening his mouth, letting the cool water to fall down his sore throat. He swallows a few times before letting out a slow sigh, wiping away the trickles down his chin and chest. He rubs at his throat a bit, wishing that he could just ease some of the pain with his hands alone, but he knows that he can't.
He turns to see Ao'nung staring at him, creases between his eyes in worry. Neteyam offers a little smile, stepping close to put his hand over Ao'nung's heart, feeling the gentle pounding pick up a bit beneath his fingers.
"I know you're worried about all of this, but I will keep you safe. Don't worry. Have a strong heart," he rasps. His long, thin fingers spread out across his chest, offering a comforting pressure, staring meaningfully into his eyes. "Strong heart, okay?"
Ao'nung nods, beautiful light blue eyes hiding behind a fan of dark lashes for a moment before rising to him again. "Okay."
Once water skins are full and everyone's had their fill, Neteyam leads them back over to the rest of the group, leaning against the same tree as earlier, Neteyam takes some time to rest and regain his strength. These last two days have pushed him far beyond his limits and his body is protesting in a thrumbling of every part of him. If he could, he probably would sleep right here, against this random tree, but he fights to keep his eyes open, knowing that his siblings, Spider, and the reef Na'vi need him to be focused and present to get them to First Base safely.
He'll rest when he gets there. It shouldn't be too much further now, and with his parents and Kiri's ikran, they will be able to transport people faster. As much as he loves the forest, he's had enough to last him a few days. Or weeks. Which thankfully is probably how long he's going to be grounded by his dad. And when his papa gets home? Well, he can kiss freedom and fresh air goodbye. Both Neteyam and Lo'ak.
The downside to three parents. Especially a dad and papa. The strict set in the triad. His dad and papa will ground them forever. His mom will simply grind them into dust and skin them alive. Or... maybe flip those around.
Ronal and Lo'ak return not long after and the Tsahik makes him some medicine, making sure that he eats all of it, her face set hard, like Neteyam was being needlessly difficult despite him doing everything that she asks. It's probably the stress of being out here for so long, never mind being pregnant. But she doesn't complain, handling everything with expert grace and care.
Once he was done, he motioned for all of them to get moving once more. Another fifteen minutes or so, Neteyam stops, the forest hushing into a low hum. Neteyam grips Lo'ak's bow tightly in his hand, grabbing off an arrow and hopping up onto a large root, pulling the string taut, golden eyes scanning the trees. The reef Na'vi, who have their spears in hand consistently, only strapping them to their backs when they were climbing, level them out, encircling the children and injured, watching out for whatever danger Neteyam sensed.
Even Lo'ak had out his dagger and Spider finally pulled out his own bow, knocking an arrow and pulling the string taut.
There is a long breath of silence as Neteyam's ears swivel, trying to pick out any strange noise that the forest heard but he did not. It didn't fall silent, so he's not sure what level of predator that the forest is reacting to. But once more, it's reacting strangely. Something is going on out there and Neteyam knows, as his mother said, everything the forest says is important. Only problem is that he has no idea what it's saying.
Aside from the ominous, "There is something among us that should not be."
Neteyam hesitates, wondering if he can risk them being gathered together like this, or if they should just quickly get to their ikran and get out of here. Surely nothing short of a very large group of viperwolves would attack a large group of Na'vi like this. And maybe the Yarrem. And a thanator that thinks it has the element of surprise and a grudge to settle and maybe -
Okay. They're leaving.
Neteyam whistles, catching everyone's attention, his eyes fall to Tuk. They weren't far now. Once her eyes meet his, he asks, "Do you know the way from here, Tuk?"
Tuk nods. "I do. Come on!" She waves for everyone to follow her before she makes her way into the direction of the plains, everyone carefully moving after.
Neteyam stays behind, waiting for everyone to get passed before slowly following after, keeping his eyes trained on the forest. Thankfully, with it being as light as it is, it's going to be hard for something to come leaping out of the shadows to catch him off guard. Nothing jumps out at him, thankfully, and once the group is a descent distance ahead of him, Neteyam turns and chases after, loosening his hold on the arrow, pulling it off and attaching it to the bow again.
Once he makes it to the clearing, the rest of the group is already there. The reef Na'vi probably made it about ten feet away from the edge of the forest as Neteyam steps out, seeing his and Lo'ak's ikrans, Apollo and Aphrodite, descend to the ground next to Kiri and his parents ikran. The brief smile on Neteyam's lips at the sight of his beautiful ikran, a splash of purples, pinks, blues, greens and reds along her body and the expanse of her wings, falls when his eyes fall to his dad.
Jake is standing about ten feet in front of the group, face flat with anger, tail lashing behind him with Neytiri standing a few feet off to the side, pushing her eye protectors up onto her forehead. Jake's arms are crossed over his chest and he's leaning back on his hips, eyes narrowed. Lo'ak is trudging toward him, chin nearly to his chest with Spider a step behind him, also looking defeated. Tuk makes her way over to Neytiri, who takes her hand, leaning down to scold her. Tuk's head drops too, just like her brother.
"I can't believe - " Jake starts, staring at Lo'ak before his eyes find Neteyam and his frown deepens. He points to the spot in front of him and barks out a sharp, "Get here!"
Neteyam scrambles forward, the reef Na'vi parting before him, no doubt intimidated at the appearance - and obvious anger - of Toruk Makto. Most people tend to be. On a good day, Neytiri is terrifying. Mo'at scarier still. But Jake is the scariest of all when he's furious, which is surprisingly rare considering how mad he can get. Once he's next to Lo'ak, he drops his head, unable to meet his father's enraged eyes. Spider, carefully and smartly, puts himself on Neteyam's other side, to keep away from Neytiri. But thankfully, she's still preoccupied with Tuk to notice them.
Jake's eyes are heavy as he looks over the three boys in front of him, ignoring the crowd gathered behind them.
"Is everyone okay?" Jake asks, looking between the children, getting an eyeful of the top of all of their heads. "No one missing any limbs?"
"No, sir," the three boys respond in unison. Jake looks across each of them, taking in the occasional cut and scratch. Normal wear and tear that he's used to seeing on his children when they spend a lot of time outside. Hell, he's even seen it a bunch while they are in First Base. Kids will take a hell of a lot of punishment; he's come to learn. He's not as quick to jump to concern anymore.
After a painful silence, Jake finally grinds out, "What is my rule?"
"Always stick together?" Lo'ak guesses, and Spider flinches on Neteyam's other side.
"About the weather, Lo'ak," Jake snaps.
Lo'ak cringes, ears drooping. "Don't leave First Base when the weather is bad. But dad," he looks up carefully, braver than Neteyam to meet their dad's gaze, "it wasn't bad when we left." Neteyam flinches, knowing immediately that wasn't the right thing to say. Lo'ak, seeing Neteyam's shoulders pull in, immediately looks panicked.
Jake glares at his youngest son. "And so your eyes don't work? Lo'ak it looked like it was going to storm when your mother and I left, which was hours before you did, if I'm to understand the series of events. I felt like it was implied that when it looks like it's going to storm, your butts stay home."
Lo'ak's chin drops to his chest once more. His tail droops behind him and Neteyam feels so bad for him taking the brunt of this. So, he steps forward, opening his mouth to protest in Lo'ak's defense, not sure what else to say other than it was his fault - which he feels like is true in part.
Jake's eyes cut toward him, pinning him in place, making his voice catch in his sore throat as his father snaps, "I know what you're going to say, Neteyam. And I know that you take full responsibility, because you always do. And you should take some responsibility, you're the older brother. But I also know that it's not all on you. You have got to stop taking the heat for this knucklehead."
Neteyam's shoulders pull to his ears as his head drops to his chest again, shame filling his chest, making it harder to breathe than it already is. He's so angry with himself. he knew that his dad was going to be mad at him and he tried to prepare himself for it, but nothing ever compares. His dad puts so much faith in him, Neteyam just hates to let him down. He takes pride in how much his dad trusts him and hates whenever they are in this situation, especially since Neteyam knows that he could have avoided all of this if he had been paying attention.
"I'm sorry, sir," Neteyam rasps, chest tightening. Lo'ak shrinks a bit, glancing over at Neteyam, eyes bright with shame and worry.
"Jesus, am I being unreasonable? Tell me if I am, because I have no idea if I'm overreacting or not," Jake says, looking between the three boys. "I feel like I was very clear. When the weather looks like it's going to be bad, stay home. I don't care if Spider comes over and stays for a few days, you know that. You have any idea what it's like to come home after that horrific storm last night to find that your children were out in it all night?"
All three boys nod, heads still bowed to the man in front of them.
"And when I try to reach you, neither of you are on your radio," Jake says, heaving a breath, arms crossing his chest once more. "I know Lo'ak has his, where is yours, Neteyam?"
Neteyam's shoulders pull closer, making himself impossibly small, his shame filling his eyes with tears. Jake knows exactly where it is, no doubt, because it was probably one of the first places he looked.
"Home," Neteyam rasps, barely above a whisper.
"Yes," Jake says sharply. "At home. Where it does you absolutely no good. How am I supposed to make sure you aren't dying in a ditch somewhere when you sneak off without telling anyone and you don't bring the only means of my contacting you? Come on, Neteyam. You should know all of this by now. This isn't like you at all."
"It's my fault," Lo'ak says, jumping to Neteyam's defense, once more raising his eyes to Jake's. "He ran out looking for Tuk and I."
Jake gives Lo'ak a withering look. "That much is apparent, Lo'ak." He shakes his head, glancing over at a silent Neteyam. "You know better than this. You scared me to death, Neteyam. I am so disappointed, right now."
Jake might as well reach out and struck the eldest boy with the strength of his flinch. It's stupid, he knows it is. His father has tried his hardest to ensure that no one leaves without those headpieces. It's important to keep in contact with one another in case of emergencies. Neteyam knew this. Has had it conditioned into him since he was a baby. So, it's no surprise that his dad is angry - Neteyam is angry at himself.
"So, why don't you tell me what was so important that you couldn't wait for the storm to end or for your mother and I to get home before you took off?" He raises his eyebrows at his youngest son.
Lo'ak shakes his head. "I figured we would be back before the storm. I'm sorry, sir."
Jake heaves a big sigh, running his hands over his hair, shaking his head. "Christ, Lo'ak. Come on."
Lo'ak looks away, ashamed. A hot tear slides down Neteyam's cheek, hating how bad he feels both of his body and in his heart. He's so angry at himself, so ashamed, and being sick is really pushing him far beyond his ability to keep strong. He's so upset, he can feel his hands trembling at his side. His tail wraps around his leg and his ears flatten tightly against his pounding skull. And on top of not feeling well, and his body being in consistently throbbing pain, now he's embarrassed about crying. He doesn't cry. He's supposed to be the strong older brother.
Now he's in pain, ashamed, and feels an inch tall. He wishes he could just sink into the ground forever.
"Dad," Tuk starts, her golden eyes locked on Neteyam over her mother's shoulder.
"One moment, Tuk," Jake says, voice even once more. Kiri, who had been sitting on her ikran, Helios, climbs off, her keen eyes locked onto Neteyam. She slowly makes her way over.
"But, dad..." Tuk tries again, ears falling flat when Jake glances over at her, eyebrows pulled together.
"One moment, Tuk," he says firmly. "Don't think you're avoiding trouble too, little girl. I know that you also heard me say that a storm was coming. You're about to the age where your brothers can't take the heat for you anymore, either. You get to be punished with the rest of them."
Tuk tenses, before her body droops in defeat, ears flattening. "Okay," she says, before looking back up at Jake, "But I have to tell you something. Really, really badly."
Jake sucks in a deep breath, rubbing at his forehead. "Yes, baby girl, what is it?"
"Neteyam is sick," she says, dragging her golden eyes back to her big brother.
Neteyam's shoulders pull in tight at that, shame filling him to the brink and he has to fight the urge to hack his lungs out. There was no way he was going to cough at that moment.
Neytiri's ears perk, as she twists at the waist to look at Neteyam, her big golden eyes taking him in.
"He was caught in the rain last night. He's really, really sick," Tuk says softly, pulling at the beads hanging around her neck, eyes still locked onto her brother. Neteyam wishes that he could just vanish forever. Especially when, in his peripheral, he can see Jake's confused expression morph into shock.
His chin jerks into Neteyam's direction and he takes the step and a half that separate them to reach out and grip onto Neteyam's cheeks. His fingers gentle as they cradle his long, slim face.
Jake heaves another breath, this time in worry, moving his fingers back so that he can cradle Neteyam's face and neck, pulling his eldest son's face up so that he can see it. Neteyam already sees the worry and anxiety written across his face. This was what he's always been afraid of.
"Oh, baby boy," Jake whispers, feeling the heat radiating from Neteyam's face. The tears sliding down his cheeks as he closes his eyes, unable to face the worry and concern replacing the annoyance and fearful anger. No, Jake should be angry at Neteyam, not using his soft, gentle voice to try to make him feel better. "I'm sorry, baby boy. Let's get you home. You must be so sick."
Jake's thumb gentle wipes away a tear as Neteyam rasps, voice wobbly and thick, "I'm sorry, sir. I'm so sorry."
Jake pulls Neteyam to his chest, heaving another sigh before reaching out to pull Lo'ak close too, Spider too, who presses up against Neteyam. "Are you boys okay? Really okay?"
"I'm okay," Spider says. "Tired, but okay."
"Yeah, dad, I'm okay too," Lo'ak says, hugging Jake back tightly.
"I'm so sorry, sir," Neteyam rasps, not even able to wrap his arms around his dad, too ashamed to even move aside from lower his chin back to his chest.
"Aw, baby boy," Jake says softly, pressing a kiss to Neteyam's hair. "Don't cry, Neteyam. It's okay. I'm sorry."
Neteyam just stares at the ground, chest tightening painfully. He takes a few, shaky breaths before he starts coughing, turning away from his dad and brothers, trying to refill his lungs once more. Jake's hands land on his back, rubbing soothingly. Neytiri comes up to his side, pulling his hair up and away from his face.
"Breathe, baby," Jake says softly. Kiri steps up next to Tuk, placing her hands on the little girl's shoulders. "It's okay. Take your time."
Once he settles, Neteyam, now exhausted, leans into Jake's arms, eyes slipping closed. He takes a few, deep breaths rubbing at his chest and throat.
"Ma Jake," Neytiri says softly. "We need to get him back to my mother."
Jake nods. He rubs at Neteyam's back as soothingly as possible, pressing his lips into his eldest son's hair. "Come on, baby boy, let's get you home."
"The reef people, dad," Neteyam wheezes, finally looking up at his dad. He rubs away at the tears on his cheeks. "They need our help."
They tried so hard to get everyone here. He can't forget that they are still there in need of help. He can last a little while longer. They have to get everyone out of this forest.
Jake blinks, turning his eyes toward the gathered group of Na'vi, who watched all of this in silence. Neytiri steps up into his side, staring hard at the side of his head. Jake glances over at her as she says, "Ma Jake."
Jake hesitates, looking back over at the Na'vi, spotting the two he recognizes, Ronal and Tonowari. He brings his hand up to his forehead and flicks it out toward them, to which the entire group respectfully do in return. "Olo'eykton Tonowari, Tsahik Ronal, I see you." Both seem genuinely surprised that he would remember them. "I... hear that you are here seeking uturu..."
"Yes," Tonowari says, stepping closer. "My family. My friends. We need aid from the Omatikaya."
"We understand that times are hard," Neytiri says stepping closer as Kiri puts her arms around Neteyam, to hold him steady. "But we cannot help you."
Immediately, Tuk, Neteyam and Lo'ak all start talking at once. Neytiri cuts them a look that makes all three of them drop to silence. Neteyam turns away to cough into his arm while Lo'ak's ears flatten once more.
"I know we are imposing on you," Tonowari starts when Neytiri looks back over to them, reaching out to grab onto Jake's inner elbow, cutting him a look too.
"You are," Neytiri agrees, her voice even. "But that is not the problem. We cannot help you. I am sorry."
Tonowari blinks, looking helpless to Jake, who closes his eyes and sighs, turning toward Neytiri, gripping onto her arms to which she immediately pulls away from. Her eyes set on his while her face twists into a frown.
"No," she says.
He glances back over to see the group all staring at him, faces twisted in worry and distraught. He takes in all of their faces before turning back toward his wife. Carefully, he reaches for her again. "Neytiri..."
"No," she says again, sharper this time. "No, Ma Jake. You cannot ask this. You cannot. You promised me. No more. You promised."
Jake's shoulders slump a bit, as he looks at her helplessly. "Neytiri, they have children. Elderly. Injured. They need help."
"I know this," Neytiri snaps, stepping away from his hands once more. She points a threatening finger at him, and he drops his hands to his side, her sign for 'do not touch me' clear. "I see them too, Ma Jake. But you promised. No more. I looked away for Nim because she needed us. But no more. You cannot ask this."
"Please," Jake says softly, looking into her eyes. "They need us too."
"They always do," Neytiri says sharply. "You promised, Ma Jake. We cannot honor uturu. We cannot."
"They need our help, Neytiri," Jake protests.
"I know this," she says again. "But it cannot come from us."
"Please," Jake says again, stepping closer. This time she doesn't back up, she just glares up at him. "Let's take them to First Base. We'll get them food and water, somewhere safe to lay their heads for a few nights, and we'll talk about it. You, me and Tsu'tey."
Neytiri shakes her head, staring at Jake's pleading face. She lets out a long sigh, looking down at the ground again, mind spinning before she glares up at him once more. All the kids perk up at the name, but no one speaks up as Neytiri continues, "You know that he will side with me. Tsu'tey will not agree. You promised, Ma Jake. You promised we wouldn't do this anymore."
"I know, and I'm sorry," Jake says softly, reaching for her again, giving her plenty of time to threaten him with that finger or pull back, but she doesn't. She lets him wrap his arms around her biceps. "We will talk about it. The three of us. And we will make the decision together."
"We already made the decision together," Neytiri reminds him bitterly. Jake's ears fold down.
"You're right," Jake says quietly. "We did. I'm sorry. No, we'll honor our decision. I'm sorry, Neytiri, you're right. I shouldn't have forced that on you. I'm sorry." He gives her arms a loving squeeze. He turns to look at the gathered Na'vi. "I'm sorry. We can't honor uturu. I am so sorry. Neytiri is right, I'm being over-zealous."
"Dad, we can't just leave them out there," Lo'ak says, looking at the horrified, terrified faces of the Na'vi that they've been traveling with this last day. "They need our help. Mom, please."
"No," Jake says, glancing over at Lo'ak. "No, your mother is right. We made a deal, and I broke it last time with Nim, but she's right. We have to honor our promises." He looks over at the distraught face of Tonowari and his people, ears drooping a bit. "I am so sorry. I hope that you understand."
"We will die out here," Tonowari says softly, eyes studying Jake's face. The other man flinches, tail whooshing behind him. "Please."
"I'm sorry," Jake says, looking devastated. "I have to respect my promise. We aren't just going to leave you high and dry, though. We can still help you. There are more clans in the forest that can help. We can take you to one of them."
Defeated, but at least not left to fend for themselves, everyone just kind of shuffles a bit, trying not to complain too much, lest that small offering of assistance be ripped away from them too.
"Mom," Neteyam rasps, softly. "Please. We need to help them."
"Everyone needs help, Neteyam," Neytiri says softly, looking over at the oldest Sully child. "We simply can't save them all."
Neteyam rubs at his throat, blinking away at angry and frustrated tears. No more crying. "But what if we can?"
Neytiri's ears droop a bit as she moves over, placing her hands on Neteyam's burning shoulders. "My sweet boy. You are so much like your father. I can't bear to have both of you against me. Please don't be mad. I am not doing this to be evil. I must protect my family. And that includes that father of yours. They are strong and capable. They will be able to survive. They will find the perfect clan that will be able to take them in and teach them all of the things that they need. Maybe even live in an environment that is better suited for their skillsets."
Neteyam's shoulders loosen a bit as he stares into Neytiri's eyes. "Mom, you know as well as I do, the only chance they have of surviving is with us. If we send them out there, they are going to die. Please, mom. Please don't let Talsheeze destroy us." He blinks back angry tears, sucking in a slow, painful breath. "I know you are trying to protect us, but these people aren't here to hurt us. Who knows? Maybe they're here to save us."
The reef Na'vi seems to hold their breath once more, praying that the sons were able to convince the mother where the father failed. Neteyam and Lo'ak were the only ones that might be able to save them now.
"We can just get them somewhere safe," Lo'ak offers, stepping closer. "Like dad said. Get them some food and water and rest and then... well, send them on their way. We'll keep an eye on them. It won't be the same. Promise."
Neytiri closes her eyes, rubbing at her face before turning to look at Jake. "You make mini versions of you, this I swear."
Jake smiles faintly. "We don't have to, Neytiri. I promised. I'll stand by it."
"I know," Neytiri grouses. "But there isn't any harm in offering help, so long as we are careful. We watch them."
"Like a hawk," Jake agrees, grin working across his face.
Neytiri frowns at him. "I don't know what that is."
"It's a - never mind. Let's get everyone on the ikran. We thankfully, aren't too far." Jake offers a smile to the reef people, Tonowari's shoulders loosening in relief. "Okay, let me see here, we are going to have to split everyone up. Neteyam, are you able to fly?"
Neteyam coughs softly, nodding. "Yes, sir," he rasps.
Jake looks at him sympathetically, saying, "We'll get you to your grandmother soon, okay?" Neteyam nods.
Carefully, Jake splits everyone up. With Neytiri is Ronal and Rhalwari. With Kiri is Tuk, Rowee and Zestira. With Lo'ak is Rotxo and his grandfather. With Jake is Tonowari and Tsuy'asha. And with Neteyam is Spider, Ao'nung and Tsireya.
"Okay," Jake says, jumping onto Bob's back, Tonowari grabbing hold of his shoulders. "Everyone ready?" All of his children and his wife bob their heads. "Okay, let's take off."
The ikran struggle to get into the sky with so much extra weight added to them. Aphrodite and Helios both snarl in annoyance but carefully keep trying to push off. As the ikran slowly start to ascend up into the sky, movement to Neteyam's right catches his attention. He glances over in time to see a small figure step out into the clearing, towards them.
In an instant, it's like time slows to a crawl.
His befuddled brain barely has time to register a Sky Person, with a gun pointed at him before he's reaching down to Lo'ak's bow that he strapped to the side of Aphrodite. He yanks it out, pulls out and arrow, knocking it, as he jumps up onto his feet. A split-second decision as he moves his body into position to pull the string back, he uses his hip and tail to push Ao'nung back into his sister before Aphrodite brings her wings up one more for another power push to get them off the ground completely, and a shot goes off.
Aphrodite roars in rage as her wing came up, obscuring Neteyam's view of the Sky Person, and a tiny hole from a bullet punches right through the thin skin of her wing and past Neteyam. Once she brings the wing down, surging them upward, Neteyam takes a moment to breathe, clear his mind, slow his heart and ignore all the pain of his body as he pulls the string taut, focuses on his target, and looses the arrow.
It strikes him center mass and he falls to the ground.
Aphrodite snarls in rage as she pulls them up into the sky and Neteyam drops back down onto her back, placing his feet back onto her side to help direct her and hold himself on. His heart is pounding in his chest, blood roaring in his ears. It takes him a moment to glance over and see Jake moving closer, his face pinched in terror. Neteyam straps the bow back onto Aphrodite's harness before looking at his dad.
"Are you guys okay?" Jake asks, pulling in as close to Neteyam's left side as he can without the two ikran bumping into each other. Neteyam can see his siblings and mother further to the left, all heads on all ikran staring at them. Lo'ak gives him a thumbs up, eyebrows high and worried.
Breathless, Spider just offers a nod, bending down a bit to rest against the back of Aphrodite's neck. He has to be running low on air.
"I'm okay," Tsireya yells from behind Ao'nung. "Just shaken."
"Me too," Ao'nung says, voice wavering in Neteyam's ear.
Jake's eyes hone in on Neteyam's exhausted, pale face. "Are you okay, Neteyam?"
"Yes," Neteyam says, staring at his dad, giving a thumbs up to his brother. "But he shot a hole through Aphrodite's wing. Can we help her?"
Jake nods, relief flicker across his face as he nods. "Yes. I'm sure we can help her." His smile spreads across his face, showing off two sets of pearly white fangs as he looks down, shaking his head. "Thank god."
Neteyam lets out a pained huff from his throat when something sharp stabs into his right side. Neteyam's entire body seizes in agony, like fire pressing into him. he looks down to see Ao'nung's hand is slapped over the space above his right hip, in front of his body, then another hand lands on the back side, just above the hip. Neteyam can see bright red blood pouring out of a wound on his side.
Neteyam blinks in shock, brain trying to comprehend when this could have happened. When did something hit him? How long had he been bleeding.
"Neteyam?" Jake calls, his voice taking on a hint of terror. "Neteyam, what's wrong?"
Neteyam reaches down, pulling away Ao'nung's hand for a second before blood gushes out. Ao'nung quickly brings his hand back down, trying to hold the blood in the other Na'vi's body. Shocked and in shock, Neteyam looks over at his dad, face pale with exhaustion, pain and now terror.
"Dad... I... I've been shot."