You had been right, Neytiri was happy to hear how Jake was making a fool of himself and she teased him just as much as you did. He looked terribly betrayed at the children, his mate, and sister had all started laughing at him after his disastrous first day learning under Tonowari's wing.

"Oh I see how it is," he grumbled over dinner, "Remember, snitches get stitches asshole."

Next to him Neytiri wacked your brother with her tail and hissed at him to watch his language while the children were present. And you chuckled even more as he threw his hands in the air and complained, "I just can't win here huh?"

Jake turned to you and ran his thumb over his neck in a cutting motion, "You're so gonna get it."

You stuck your tongue out at him, "Try me... tsurak makto."

His yellow eyes twitched and his ears flared out. "Fuck it!" he launched at you over the cooking space inside your family's mauri and you squealed while backpedaling to try to avoid him. Jake was quick to catch you and haul you over his shoulders and you kicked and screamed insults at him.

"You two are worse than the children!" Neytiri hissed as she moved aside plates of food and belongings, while the kids all laughed at you. "I pray to Eywa for the strength to not pluck the eyes of my mate and his sister from their heads." She hissed, not happy with the play fighting but also not entirely mad either. The children, for the first time in a long while, all seemed relaxed and well, like children as they watched you fight with their father.

Lo'ak in particular, couldn't help but to laugh the loudest as you begged both him and Neteyam to help you, but when neither would you did your best to worm around his Jake's grip. When he slowly made his way to the entrance of the mauri you spread you legs and tried to catch your feet on the wooden posts but he was quick to wrestle you from the posts.

"J-Jake! Stop it!" you cried out as he used one hand to hold you to him and he other hand to tickle you relentlessly.

Your brother laughed and you tried elbowing him but to no avail, "Jake? Who's that? I'm tsurak makto!"

"No! Stop you sxkwang!"

You tugged at his chest piece and wrapped your tail around his thigh as he tried to swing you into the water. Hissing desperately, you decided that since he wanted to play this game, you would bring him down with you. Planting your feet on the bouncy woven paths between all the mauri, you pushed the two of you backwards into the reef.

Jake hit the water first, and quickly separated from you as the two of you fell into the water. He spluttered and caught his breath when he surfaced and you followed his example seconds later, trying to wipe the excess water from your face. "Awww come on, did you have to drag me down too!" he complained as he reached up to the pathways and pulled himself up. You swam to him when he held a hand out to you to start pulling you up onto the platform with him.

Just as you had planted a foot on the edge of the walkways a small cough startled the two of you, and Jake quickly let go of you hand to turn to see who it was. You let out a surpised yelp as you fell back into the water and pushed your way back up to the surface of the water. "Dammit Jake!" you yelled at him as you struggled back over the edge of the walkway, slapping away your brother's hand as he tried to help you up.

"Ahem, perhaps I will come back at another time," and you stiffened at the voice of the Tsahik.

You blushed heavily as the situation came crashing down on you, and you desperately wanted to fix it. For the second time in less than a week, you had inadvertently acted like an immature kid in front of the Metkayina and their leaders. Since this was to be your new home, you wanted to clear the air and prove to the people, and their leaders, that you all were taking this whole transition seriously. Instead you had mocked Jake and roughed with him in front of the Olo'eyktan and had gotten in the face of the Tsahik the first time you met her.

Not at all painting a pretty picture of a family doing their best to assimilate into their way of life.

Before the Tsahik could leave you rushed forwards, stopping a few feet away from her and dipped your head in respect. "N-no! It's fine! No need to leave, just ahhh," you rubbed the back of your neck with a sheepish expression on your face. "Just family things, nothing too serious!"

Behind you, you could hear Jake smack his forehead in exasperation and you grimaced a bit.

Yeah, those college classes you took on Na'vi Language and Kinesics were all bullshit. Not one bit of information you learned, back on Earth and on Pandora, was able to help you in this new situation. So much for having a degree on languages.

She, Ronal you remembered, looked apprehensive at first and you didn't blame her. You were dripped wet, you could feel your braids weighing down your head, and your clothes were all out of place but thankfully not indecent. "As you say," Ronal started slowly, and she turned to Jake, "I must speak with your sister, concerning her teachings, I have no need for you at this moment Jakesully."

Even though his dismissal was quick you could feel Jake's stare as he grunted in affirmation and went back into the marui.

You gulped and straightened up as the full weight of Ronal's stare transferred to you, and you tried to give her your best smile. She did not return it, giving you a once over before beckoning you to follow her. You waved goodbye to the kids, that had been snooping by the marui opening and gave them a thumbs up. Reassuring them that all was well and that you would be fine.

"Come, we will speak in my abode," she said, and you nodded even though the other woman could not see.

Whispers and gossip flowed around you easily as you followed Ronal through the village. Other Metkayina openly watching you as you made your way to Ronal's marui, as if you were some kind of spectacle to behold. You tilted your head up and steeled your shoulders, not wanting to seem week in front of the other Na'vi and most certainly not letting them think that you were somehow inferior to them.

It was a sight to behold apparently, the Metkayina watching as the darker skinned 'false' Na'vi walking proudly behind their Tsahik as if you belonged there.

You hated all the staring and the whispering, so when Ronal finally ducked under the curtain of a marui you eagerly followed. She made her way to the firepit and stoked the coals before throwing a small bundle of herbs on it, damn near smoking you out as their lovely fragrance filled the home. "Sit and relax, no harm will come to you here, sister of Toruk Makto," Ronal said as she lowered herself onto the woven floor.

At your hesitance she gestured again, almost impatiently, "Come and join me."

Sitting next to her, you felt smaller than her, especially since she exuded an air of authority and grace while you felt very much like a child that had their hand stuck in the synthetic candy jar.

"Now, sister of Toruk-"

"Y/N," you interrupted her.

She looked down at you, as if to explain yourself.

"You can call me Y/N te Suli Kara'ite, or Y/N, no need to call me sister of Toruk Makto every time you address me," you said and twiddled your thumbs together a bit anxiously. Looking up at her with big yellow eyes, you could see how her pupils widened a bit and her nostrils flared. Worried that you offended her or made her mad, you continued, "Smon nìprrte'."

Ronal nodded, "Oel ngati kameie, oeru syaw Ronal te Namiie Ni'atwu'ite."

You gestured with you hand that you saw her too, and after a couple moments where she just watched you she nodded and you felt relief flow through your body. Okay, she wasn't mad at you or anything, so that was a major step in the right direction. One step closer to showing her and all the others that resented your family being in Awa'atlu that you did deserve to be there.

"Now," Ronal started, "Tonowari tells me you are quick in learning, and that you studied under Mo'at to be healer. Is that correct Y/N?"

"Yes, Mo'at and I were the ones to tend to the taronyu when needed."

"Good, I will not have to teach everything, but before you can heal the clan you must learn the techniques and materials that are used here," she said, "You will learn to gather and prepare tinctures and ointments for the people, and will learn which plants and creatures are poisonous or not."

She fixed her positioning to face you head on, "You must know how to breathe with the sea before all that, before you can be of use."

Eager to prove your worth you moved, so that you were looking at her straight on, "Of course, whatever you need I can do!"

For the first time since you had seen her, Ronal's tails waved leisurely before you and from her mannerism you hoped that she was feeling at ease near you.

Ronal leaned forward and pressed the palm of her hand on your abdomen, and you felt that searing heat again. The same one that you felt when Tonowari had touched your skin earlier in the day. She gave exaggerated breaths and her other hand was in a flat gesture as she raised it up and down to the timing of her breaths. "To breathe with the water, you must breathe from deep within yourself," she explained.

Patting your stomach, Ronal inhaled slowly, "Breathing from here helps expand the lungs more, to stay under the water for longer."

She didn't take her hand off of you and you tried to mimic her as best as you could, following the motion of her hand as you breathed. Your tail fluttered a bit and your heart was racing as she leaned in closer, Ronal moved her hand to your sternum and you could feel your breath hitch. Caught off guard by that searing heat that damn near threatened to overtake you, you couldn't help but to squirm a bit.

Ronal didn't seem too unhappy with you, "Calm your heart, and breathe as One with me."

You were too focused on not fucking up something as simple as breathing to notice how the Tsahik put an emphasis on 'One'. Slowly you could feel your heart slow as you got used to the deeper way of breathing that you were shown. You closed your eyes and tried to relax yourself, and unbeknownst to you Ronal was doing the same.

"Follow my breathing, let it wash over you like the waves wash over the shore," she whispered, "In time, you will learn to breathe with the sea all the time."

You sighed a bit, completely relaxed with the calming scents around you and the way that her touch no longer threatened to burn you. Instead it warmed you from the inside, as if you had been cold all your life and were finally started to thaw out. You relaxed completely, losing yourself to your thoughts as you began to breathe like Ronal. The calm that you felt was very appreciated, it was something that you had come to miss since the second invasion of humans started. Before the humans came back, you had spent your days in bliss, watching over the children and learning with Mo'at.

So to feel this calm again, even with the threat of Quaritch weighing your family down, was something you weren't gonna take for granted.

Ronal and you sat together for an indeterminate amount of time, enjoying the silence only for that to be broken by you yelping at the sudden presence of Tonowari entering the marui and accidentally scaring the holy hell out of you. Your ears flattened against the side of your head as you instinctively hissed your displeasure at being scared, next to you Ronal has done the same.

The Olo'eyktan nodded his head, "Ahhh, I'm sorry to interrupt you ma'Ronal, but Jakesully is looking for his sister and said you had taken her."

"I hope that the matter was of importance," she sighed before turning to you, "We will cut it short today, but I will come to retrieve you after eclipse tomorrow."

Ronal patted you on your knee once, motioning that you were free to go, to which you respectfully nodded your head at both her and Tonowari as you left. Your clothing was semi-dry, and the sun was setting telling you that you had been there for a couple hours at the very least. Bidding goodbye to the two you were quick to return back to your family's new home, a shiver running down your back as you left the Tsahik's marui, as if someone was staring at you.

When you turned, there was no one in particular watching you. The Metkayina all bustling around as night began to fall over Pandora, each one trying to finish last minute chores before the end of the day. Your tail flicked as you walked back, aware now that you were being watched.

You had been in Awa'atlu for about a month now, and still felt out of place. While Jake and Neytiri made quick work helping the hunters and the children all doing their part with whatever tasks had been assigned to them, you were stuck feeling as though you were not pulling your weight efficiently. You spent time with Ronal, following her around and helping her with whatever task she needed done. As her pregnancy became more pronounced you tried to help her where you could but she was a fiercely independent woman and even Tonowari was hard pressed to actually provide his mate with help.

During the day, you followed Ronal on her daily routines. First the two of you would check on other pregnant Metkayina, and while your medical know-how was specialized for humans it did help you when you assisted with small operations like stitching wounds and setting any broken or dislocated limbs. For primary care the people went to Ronal and only trusted Ronal, to them you were a fake Na'vi, and only the younger crowds allowed for you to touch them.

After checking on people that have requested the Tsahik's presence, she would then go to gather more ingredients for her stockpile of medicinal herbs and pastes. Sometimes trekking deep into the forests that surround Awa'atlu, or diving into the reef's depths using the Txampaysye to aid her.

All this was to be done before the end of eclipse, and despite your best efforts it seemed that all you were good for was wrapping bandages and gathering supplies.

You've heard whispers among the Metkayina, about how the sister of Toruk Makto could not contribute in a meaningful way. Some older members of the tribe even comparing your skills to that of children, saying that "It is easy to tell a child to fetch, and that is all that she seems good for."

To circumvent any thoughts that you weren't good enough to be here, you would spend most free time helping weave together fishing nets and fixing broken equipment. Sometimes Jake or any one of the children joined you, though you did notice that most of the time if one of the kids was with you it would be little Tuk since she was too young to hunt on her own.

After a month of trying your hardest, you felt a bit defeated and truly out of place. It reminded you of when you first made the switch and abandoned your human body; you were weak after the transfer, and it took you weeks before you could finally be released from Mo'at's care. In that time you were useless, not like Jake that took to his transition well, and your transfer was the last one that took place.

Seeing that not all could go through a transfer easily, even completely healthy, Mo'at and Jake made the decision to place a temporary ban on other avatar drivers transferring completely. So far no one else dared to go through the Eye of Eywa like you and Jake had, and ever since becoming one of the Na'vi you had felt out of place.

You didn't have the skills of a warrior, and you didn't have the heart to be a hunter. You couldn't fit in seamlessly as Jake had into the Omaticaya, but after fifteen years? You had just finally managed to carve a home and a name for yourself among the People. Just to have to leave that all behind and start afresh where Jake, once again, was able to fit in just nice and you were left feeling like an outsider looking in.

The only time you felt like you were of any use was when Ronal asked you to do something for her, and since that first time with her in her marui you found yourself following her like a lost little puppy, trying to be of use.

And, damn, it felt so gratifying when she finally began to open up to you, asking you little things about yourself and you asking her about the Metkayina way of life. She would reserve a small smile just for you when you would carry back different materials and ingredients, so that she wouldn't burden herself with the added weight. Her laughter, loud and free, would only come when it was the two of you alone, and if other members of the tribe were there the Tsahik would bump shoulders with you a give you a toothy grin.

You even got along well with Tonowari, in fact it was easier to get along with him then it was to get along with Ronal. The Olo'eyktan had thanked you for helping his mate with her duties as Tsahik, since her pregnancy was affecting her with her mood swings and bouts of nausea. When there was communal meals, you would start the meal sitting with your brother and his family before drifting closer and closer to Ronal and Tonowari.

Most evenings, like tonight, you would stay back and talk with both leaders, and would often do so until it was nearly time to rest for the night. Afterwards, you would walk back to the marui you shared with your family, thinking only of the two new friends you have made.

And they were good friends to you, the two chatting easily with you about different subjects, Tonowari would talk about places near Awa'atlu that he held in high esteem, promising that when the time came he would bring you there. While Ronal would talk of the Tulkun, her spirit sister Roa, and different festivities that were to be celebrated in the upcoming months. You, on the other hand, would tell them about life as a human on a dying planet, and only did so when prompted. You told them about how there was no family left for you back on Earth, and that your family was here now. When they asked you questions about yourself, it was easy to talk to them about these things.

Between Ronal and Tonowari, it was Tonowari that asked you the questions the most, curious as to why you would come to Pandora and even give up the body you were born in to continue living here.

You simply answered, "I never approved of what the Sky People have done to Eywa and this planet, so when Jake asked me to fight with him I did. When he asked me to stay here with him, I did. He is my only family left, and Sully's stick together."

The Olo'eyktan nodded, while Ronal leaned forwards, resting her elbows on her knees, "But Jakesully has started a family, why do you not start one of your own? Do people in the Omaticaya not desire to start a family with you?"

Blushing at the sudden change in topic, you tried to ignore the way that the tops of your hands darkened to an indigo color as Ronal moved closer to you. "Ahhh, well, it wasn't like that at all!" you stammered, looking down at your hands while you twiddled your thumbs, "I just wanted to fit in! And I liked being around Jake and his family! Besides its not like I could bring anything of interest into a relationship."

You missed the way that Tonowari and Ronal's bright blue eyes met each other as you rambled on.

Ronal brushed a hand against your leg, "Were you not a healer? And no one wished to mate with you?"

"Uhhhm, there were many fine women in the clan to chose from like Ninat and Peyral. Ninat is one of the best singers, and Peyral went from being a hunter to leading war parties," you explain, "Neytiri was Tsakarem and loved by many, it was a sad day for those in the tribe when she mated with Jake." Well, not to mention that immediately after her mating with Jake, Hometree had been destroyed and her father killed which also contributed to the anguish and sadness felt by all the Omaticaya.

Tonowari shook his head, "It is a loss on their part. Any would be lucky to have you as their mate, and since you are part of the Metkayina now you may start a family if you wish."

Beside you Ronal hisses in agreement, "Yes, you can start a family or become a part of another."

At this you turned to her, bewildered, "I'm sorry what?"

She does not get impatient with you, like she would if Jake or Neytiri had asked her to repeat herself, "It might not be the way of the Omaticaya, but here there are many that mate into families that are already established. There are those that choose to bring in a third or even fourth partner, and mate with them before Eywa. And there are those that choose not to mate, but still create a family of their own."

Your eyes were wide, "And this is allowed?"

Ronal patted your leg, "The way of water is with no beginning or end, we live with the water in mind and can flow freely like the water in our lives."

"There are many things that are allowed here that would be unheard of to the Omaticaya," Tonowari explained, "Much of what the Sky People have learned about the Na'vi way of life is purely through the Omaticaya. So I suggest that you keep an open mind on the Metkayina way of living."

The air around you felt supercharged with...something that you couldn't quite pick out, but you didn't want to offend either Tonowari or Ronal by being rude and leaving so soon. "I-I'll be sure to keep that in mind," you tried to smile at Tonowari, but it fell a bit short and both of them noticed immediately.

He looked worried as he leaned forwards to get a proper look at you, and you were sure that you were blushing fiercely. A bit uncomfortable at the way both were looking at you so intently, but you tried to brush away the tingling feeling in your tswin and the churning feeling deep in your abdomen. "Is everything alright?" he asked you as Ronal moved her hand to run up and down the length of your back.

Dangerously close to your tswin causing that tingling feeling to grow.

"Y-Yes! Everything's fine! Just a little tired," you tried to reassure the Olo'eyktan but he didn't seem too convinced. And neither did Ronal.

She placed her hand over your forehead, "You are a little overheated, I can-"

"No!" You interrupted before she could suggest anything. You felt a little lightheaded, and very disoriented with the conversation turning so quickly and with all these weird feelings, "It's alright! I should get some rest and I'll feel better tomorrow!"

"Alright," she said, not at all mad at your refusal of her help, "Would you like me to check tomorrow then?"

"Y-yes! Yep, that'll be perfectly fine!" you get up quickly, ignoring the way they stared at you as you waved goodbye to them, "Eywa ngahu."

On the way back to the Sully home, you managed to calm yourself down and you cursed yourself. Hopefully neither Ronal or Tonowari would be mad at your sudden exit but it all felt like too much and not enough at the same time to be there with them. You weren't sure why they were bringing up these topics now, but you didn't know what to make of any of it.

Why tell you that the Metkayina do things differently when it comes to family?

Why question your relationships, or lack thereof, in the Omaticaya?

You could feel your tswin pulse in time with your heart as you thought of the two leaders of the Metkayina. Surely, this feeling would leave you soon, and everything will be normal again with you trying to find your place among the Metkayina and with Tonowari and Ronal forgiving you for your rude actions.

Something told you that none of that was going to be easy.

Marui - Metkayina homes in Awa'atlu

Tsurak Makto - Teasing nickname for Jake, mockery of Toruk Makto (skimwing rider)

Smon nìprrte' - Nice to meet you

Oel ngati kameie, oeru syaw - I See you, I am called

Taronyu - Hunter, or hunters

Txampaysye - Gill mantle, creatures that Na'vi use in oceanic environments, they feed more air to Na'vi while underwater

Tswin - the Queue

Eywa ngahu - (May) Eywa (be) with you.

I'm gonna try to not use Y/N too much, and refer to the reader as that as little as possible. But for some scenes I will use Y/N to help distinguish the reader. Also I'm trying to plot a short story since I'm a relatively slow writer and I want to finish this in like less then ten chapters.