Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter thirty-seven of 'Gone in the Dark.' Lo'ak/Tsireya smut will be in the next few chapters. I am so ready to do that. It is not known if Na'vi couples engage in sex before becoming a mated pair. I decided to have that they do. However, it has been said mated pairs will engage in fertility rites with others. It does not seem to affect the bond at all. Stay tuned for chapter thirty-eight.
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Chapter 37: Sitting Down
Kiri sat on a medium-sized boulder on the beach at Awa'atlu. She had her hands laying in her lap. She tapped her fingers on it while whistling softly. She had her eye on Polyphemus. A large cloud began moving over the middle of it. A slightly smaller one did the same at the bottom. The wind picked up somewhat. This caused her hair to move back.
Kiri blinked three times. She was glad Payakan and La came to Rishi's funeral. She had never seen any animal do such a thing. She knew they wanted to be close to her until the Spirit Tree absorbed her. She believed they would stick around until the war was over. She understood they would have to go out and hunt for food a few times a day. She felt grateful to Payakan for helping her to find the strength to apologize to Nekx.
Her thoughts shifted to Neytiri. She was relieved to learn her mother had not gotten any worse, but uncertainty was still up in the air. She would never forget seeing her in her horrid state after being brought in. She agreed with Mo'at that the warrioress looked much worse than Sylwanin did at the time of her death. She prayed Neytiri would wake up soon. Of course, she knew recovery would take time, especially since her mother was pregnant with twins.
She started thinking about Aonung, Tsireya, Lo'ak, and Riri. She knew it would take time for all of them to get over seeing Rishi die before their eyes, especially her. She never thought her death would happen in the same area where Neteyam died. She was aware it did not happen on the same rock. However, she could see the circumstances were very similar as both young warriors made passionate pleas.
Kiri snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of squeaking. She caught sight of an ilu and a black-backed dolphin swimming side by side in the ocean. They lifted their heads and let out several clicks and squeals. She watched them dart underwater. The dolphin slapped its tail on the surface. She heard footsteps approaching and peered over her shoulder. She saw Ronal coming her way.
"Hi, Ronal," Kiri greeted in a soft way.
"Hello, Kiri," Ronal said and stopped at the boulder next to her. She leaned against her staff. "Do you mind if I join you?"
"Not in the least bit," Kiri replied with a shake of her head. She observed her sitting down and leaning her staff against the boulder. "What brings you out here?"
"I thought I'd come out and get some fresh air," Ronal commented and moved her ears back. "What about you?"
"I needed some fresh air too," Kiri admitted. "It can get quite stuffy in those marui with all the people in them."
Ronal raised her eye ridges. "That is true. Many of the empty ones were turned into makeshift hospitals for war patients."
"Some marui have up to four patients in them. Others have one or two," Kiri answered and let out a small yawn. "Mom has one all to herself."
"Norm and Maureen made a wise decision moving her attacker to another marui. It will allow her to have an easier recovery," Ronal whispered in a gentle yet firm voice.
"Whenever she ever wakes up," Kiri mumbled, uncertainty lining her voice.
"I know," Ronal agreed with a heavy sigh. "She has no idea Rishi died and has been laid to rest."
"She is going to be so devastated to learn about her death. She really liked that girl," Kiri said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Yes, she will," Ronal said, wiping a tear from her eye. "She will be shocked when she learns she is pregnant with twins."
Kiri emitted a sharp exhale. "Mom accepted she would not bear another child. It is obvious Eywa decided she should have another one."
Ronal and Kiri glanced at the horizon. They could see three banshees flying in the distance. Their ears perked up at their faint squawking. The banshees flapped their wings in almost perfect unison. They moved into a straight line. The duo watched them until they were gone.
"You and Spider sang a song I had never heard before at Rishi's funeral. It was really beautiful. You both have amazing singing voices," Ronal pointed out truthfully.
"Thank you," Kiri replied with a small smile.
"Where did it come from?" Ronal wondered in much curiosity. "What language is it?"
"It is called Burial. It is from Xena: Warrior Princess. Xena often sung it for people who died. She did it for the first time when Marcus died doing his first good deed. It is not really any language. Lucy Lawless made it up while taking a jog one day. She played Xena," Kiri explained.
Ronal folded her hands and laid them in her lap. "What made you and Spider sing it tonight? Did you ever sing it at funerals for the Omaticaya?"
"We decided it would fit well with Rishi's funeral. The song is not just for mourning. It is also to celebrate heroism. She was a hero for saving Rotxo's life and sacrificing her own in the process," Kiri commented, a tear sliding down her cheek. "Spider and I did sing it at several Omaticaya funerals. I heard Dad sing it while he watched a video of Xena doing that at Hell's Gate. I was so amazed at its beauty, so I decided to sing it at a funeral for an elderly woman."
"Wow," Ronal whispered in amazement.
Kiri chuckled. "Yes. Wow."
Kiri sniffled and cupped her chin in her hand. She closed her eyes as tears fell from them. She opened them after ten seconds. She emitted a shuddering cry while shaking her head in disbelief.
"I never thought I would see someone die right in front of me," Kiri said and wiped a tear away when it fell down her cheek.
"It's not something that happens every day," Ronal admitted and touched the girl's upper back.
"Of all the kids, Lo'ak and Aonung seemed to be affected by Rishi's death the most. Lo'ak was about to blame himself when Dad stopped him. Aonung said it was his fault because he encouraged us to see Payakan and La," Kiri murmured.
"I do not blame him, but I am glad Tonowari set him straight," Ronal commented. "Green Spears probably saw Lo'ak and Tsireya playing with the tulkuns yesterday. They decided to plan an ambush and kill them if they returned."
"I believe they wanted to enrage you, Tonowari, Mom, and Dad into attacking them for revenge if they managed to kill Lo'ak and Tsireya. They did not expect Aonung, Rotxo, Riri, and Rishi, and me to accompany them," Kiri added.
"It would not have just been us who would have been enraged if Lo'ak and Tsireya were dead. The same would have happened to Rotxo and Riri's parents if they had met the same fate. However, killing someone in revenge won't make the pain go away," Ronal pointed out matter-of-factly.
"Never underestimate a parent's love for their children. This is especially true for a mother. She is the most dangerous when she is protecting them," Kiri said in a blunt way.
"Oh, yes," Ronal said and moved her hand to the girl's shoulder. She rubbed it very gently. "Now, we must focus on keeping Neytiri alive." She gave it a tight squeeze before patting it. "She is the strongest person I have ever met in my life."
"You two are a lot alike. You are feisty, stubborn, fierce, and intimidating," Kiri said.
"We can be gentle, compassionate, and vulnerable. Just because someone appears to be strong does not mean they are," Ronal responded, her ear twitching.
"I know," Kiri said while placing her hand over her heart. "Only we know what we are truly feeling. Friends and strangers should never assume things."
Ronal slipped her arm around Kiri and hugged her tightly. She placed her cheek against her temple. She kept it there for thirty seconds before pulling away. She pulled the girl's hair behind her neck before wiping a tear from her cheek.
"I heard you and Tonowari say the Haida prayer. What made you do that?" Kiri asked, her eyes expressing curiosity.
"We thought the prayer would go well with Rishi's funeral. It is a very beautiful one. Who would've thought we would be exposed to an indigenous human language?" Ronal whispered.
"Dad said it is good to be exposed to other cultures. He, my siblings, and I were able to adapt to being here easily. Mom wanted to stick to the ways of the forest. She had a hard time adjusting," Kiri explained and ran her tongue all over the inside of her mouth.
"I admit I was annoyed when she used her ikran to dive into the water and spear a fish. I see that as impressive now. She has taken to riding an ilu from time to time," Ronal answered warmly.
Kiri sniffled and lowered her ears. "Whenever she wakes up, it will be a long while before she will be able to do anything big. It is likely she will be advised to take it easy due to her pregnancy."
Ronal touched the top of the girl's head. "We will be there for her every step of the way."
Kiri nodded in agreement. She and Ronal spotted a banshee flying past Polyphemus. They listened to its squawking.