Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter one of "Gone in the Dark." I can't believe I got three reviews for the prologue. I didn't think that would happen, but I'm happy it did. I want to thank everyone who reviewed. As for other readers, don't hesitate to review. I'd love to hear your ideas for this fic. Anyway, this chapter introduces Tonowari, Ronal, Jake, Neytiri, Tuktiery, Kiki, and Kipling. There is some Jake/Neytiri and Tonowari/Ronal as well. Stay tuned for chapter two.
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Chapter 1: Just a Moment
The noontime sun beamed its rays on Awa'atlu in mid-June. A gentle wind went through the trees, making their leaves rustle softly. Three ilus squeaked as they swam through the ocean. They stuck their heads above the water. They looked toward the sky. A dorado verde flew not far above them. It flapped its wings on occasion. It bobbed its head three times before shaking it rapidly.
The dorado verde spotted a small boulder not far from the shoreline. It headed downward with a soft squawk. It scratched its cheek with its claw. It emitted a soft snort. It turned to see Tonowari walking past it. He stopped close to the shoreline. He focused his attention on Tuktiery splashing water on Kiki and Kipling in the ocean.
Kiki squealed with delight and gave Tuktiery a small splash. She resembled Ronal with the exception of having Tonowari's blue eyes. She was somewhat tall for her age, but she looked normal otherwise. She had a small scar on the upper part of her right arm. Her left ear contained a tiny nick in it at the top in which it was almost unnoticeable.
Kipling swiveled his ears while swinging his tail from side to side. He looked like Tonowari, though he had Ronal's green eyes. He was around normal size for his age. The backs of his hands contained scars going across them. His nose had a small white dot on the tip of it. He squealed and made a splash on Tuktiery, who giggled.
"Nice splash, Kipling," Tuktiery complimented.
"Thank you," Kipling responded.
"My splash was better than yours was," Kiki said, looking at her brother.
"No, it was not," Kipling retorted with a huff.
"Yes, it was," Kiki commented and giggled to herself.
"No, it was not," Kipling hissed while turning to his sister and sticking his tongue out at her.
"I can play at that game," Kiki replied and stuck her tongue out at him.
"You two better put those away," Tuktiery said in a playful voice. She crossed her arms. "Besides, sticking your tongues out all the time will cause you to become tongue-tied."
Kipling and Kiki pulled their tongues back into their mouths. They turned to Tuktiery, who emitted a soft giggle and uncrossed her arms. She swung her tail up and down twice.
"Thank you," Tuktiery said, her ears perking up.
"You are welcome," Kipling answered and let out a snort.
Kiki smirked. "Now, here is a present for you!"
Kiki splashed Tuktiery in the face, laughing when she heard her squeal delightfully. She did it again, this time getting louder squealing from her. Her smirk grew even wider.
"Now, that is what I call squealing in delight," Kiki said with pride.
Tuktiery growled in playfulness. "Oh, you!"
Tonowari smiled as Tuktiery made a splash at Kiki and Kipling. He enjoyed peaceful moments like this. He wished his warriors did not have to be out at sea fighting the Green Spears, but he knew they needed to keep them at bay as his enemies would attack the village if they succeeded in making it past them. He hoped it would not be the case. At the same time, he was prepared for the possibility of this happening.
He started thinking about Ronal, Aonung, Tsireya, Kiki, and Kipling. He felt so lucky to have them in his life. He did not know what he would do without them, especially his children. He remembered the loss of two children he and his mate suffered through miscarriage five years apart before she finally carried to term. The miscarriages devastated both of them, more her than him. She suffered depression for a few months after each of them.
His thoughts shifted to Jake, Neytiri, Lo'ak, Kiri, Tuktiery, and Spider. He was glad they chose to stay with the Metkayina permanently. He felt bad for Jake and Neytiri over the loss of Neteyam. He told them about Ronal's miscarriages. This helped the parents bond with each other. He did not mind having humans and avatars present for assistance of medical care, though he understood some of his clanmates were uneasy with it. He was still grateful for them, especially since their medical care was more advanced.
Tonowari snapped out of his thoughts when Tuktiery laughed very loudly. He could see Kiki and Kipling splashing her. She splashed them twice, causing them to laugh in a delightful way. He heard approaching footsteps. He turned to see Ronal, Jake, and Neytiri coming his way. He smiled as they stopped at his side. He blinked twice.
"What brings you three out here?" Tonowari asked.
"We'd thought we'd take a break from monitoring the wounded for a while," Ronal answered as her mate put his arm around her shoulder. She leaned into his embrace. "Even with the extra help, it is rather hard."
"Not to mention more wounded keep coming in," Jake added.
"That is an unfortunate part of war we have to deal with," Neytiri whispered sadly.
"There were many wounded in the first war with the humans," Jake said, glancing at her.
"At least the doctors and healers were able to save most of them," Neytiri commented in relief.
"Now, the doctors are helping the wounded here. Some of them happen to be our rivals," Ronal pointed out truthfully.
"You did order everyone to bring any wounded Green Spear they find to the village to be treated," Jake added.
"It was the right thing to do," Tonowari commented and cleared his throat. "Leaving an enemy to die would make us no better than they are."
"I am sure Green Spears have encountered our wounded and taken them to their village to be treated," Neytiri suggested. "They would not want to be seen as heartless either."
Jake put his arm around Neytiri's shoulder. She leaned into his embrace as he rocked her from side to side. The sounds of the children echoed through their ears and that of their friends. They observed Tuktiery putting her fingers at the sides of her eyes and sticking out her tongue at Kiki and Kipling. The parents could not help but smile.
"At least Tuktiery, Kiki, and Kipling are having fun," Neytiri whispered in much warmth.
"They sure are," Jake agreed.
"Kiki and Kipling do not understand what is going on around them," Ronal said, shaking her head as she frowned. "I wish our children did not have to be exposed to another war."
Tonowari kissed the top of her head. "All of us do, Ronal. Unfortunately, this war did happen. We cannot change that."
Neytiri sniffled. "We should be thankful to Eywa the Green Spears have not reached these shores yet."
"Neytiri once told me the Omaticaya had a similar rivalry with a clan called the Red Arrows," Jake said, looking at Tonowari and Ronal along with his mate.
"Really?" Ronal said in surprise.
"Mm-hmm," Jake admitted with a nod. "The Omaticaya and the Red Arrows were involved in a civil war just as brutal as the one as the Metkayina and Green Spears were in. Many warriors died on both sides. After it ended, they vowed to never let it happen again and announced a truce. The rivalry could have been reignited due to the human presence, but it never happened. In fact, they were among the clans that participated in the first human/Na'vi war."
Ronal sighed in a soft manner. "Our clans have more in common than we thought."
Jake nodded in agreement. "Yes."
The parents looked toward the water as Tuktiery took Kiki and Kipling's hands. She led them onto the beach. They approached the quartet. They formed small smiles on their faces.
"Hello there," Tuktiery greeted as she let go of Kiki and Kipling.
"Hello yourself, Tuk," Jake responded and winked at her. "How are you doing?"
"We are fine, though Kiki and Kipling were done with playing in the water," Tuktiery said as Kiki and Kipling let out long yawns.
"I'll say," Tonowari whispered with a raised eye ridge.
"Come on, kids," Ronal said, going over to her children. She took their hands and gave them gentle squeezes. "You two need a nap."
"Aw. Do we have to?" Kiki whined.
"Yes, you do," Ronal replied sternly. "You do not have much energy right now and need to regain it. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, Mother," Kipling mumbled in a grumpy voice.
"Good, you little grumps," Ronal teased. "Let's go. Before your nap, you will have some lunch."
Tonowari, Jake, Neytiri, and Tuktiery observed Ronal, Kiki, and Kipling walking away. The quartet shifted their attention to each other. Tuktiery twitched her ears, followed by swinging her tail from side to side.
"You are a really great playmate for those children, Tuk," Neytiri said sweetly.
"Someone has to play with the little ones. Everyone else is busy tending to the wounded from this war," Tuktiery answered with a heavy sigh. "I wish it did not have to happen."
Jake exhaled sharply. "Who doesn't?"
Tonowari pressed his lips together. "We have to keep hoping this war will end soon."
"What if the Green Spears do reach our shores?" Tuktiery mumbled in uncertainty.
"We'll defend it with everything we have," Neytiri said comfortingly. "Try not to worry about that right now. Focus on being a playmate for the young kids."
Tuktiery emitted a sniffle. "I will try, Mom. Still—"
Neytiri expressed sympathy. "I know. We understand."
Tuktiery glanced at the water. She saw two ilus leap upward with playful squeals in the distance. They reentered it just as quickly. She turned back to her parents and Tonowari.
"When will Kuai and her hunting party return?" Tuktiery wondered.
"I don't know. They should have returned a while ago," Jake admitted and swallowed hard.
"You're right, Jake," Tonowari agreed while glancing at him. "Kuai said they would be back by midmorning. It is noon."
"I am starting to get a bad feeling," Neytiri muttered, her body beginning to shake.
"I am too," Jake agreed. "Something is not right."
"We could take some warriors and search for her, Jake," Neytiri said, looking up at him.
"That would be a good idea, Neytiri," Jake commented, releasing his hold on her. "Is that okay, Tonowari?"
"Of course," Tonowari said with a nod. He formed a serious look on his face and exhaled softly. "Be very careful. Green Spears are likely hiding on the islands in our territory."
"We will," Jake assured. "We will take some food with us as well."
Jake and Neytiri headed down the beach. Tonowari and Tuktiery shifted their attention to each other.
"I hope Mom and Dad can find Kuai and her friends," Tuktiery murmured, her ears lowering.
"I hope so too," Tonowari responded. "I hope so too."
Tonowari and Tuktiery glanced at the sky. They spotted three dorado verdes flying overhead. They listened to their squawks and chirps.