Chapter 10 *Reminder, underlined words are spoken in Na'vi.*
(Sophia's POV)
"Look to the left." I followed the small light the doctor had "And back to the right."
Mom was standing to the left, a look I couldn't determine on her face "Well?"
"As far as I can see there is no lasting damage." she smiles softly "though I wouldn't suggest fifteen hours runs in the future."
She gently taps my nose, writing a few things in my chart.
"So she has the green light?" Jake asks
"More or less." her eyes flicker to my dad.
The male was leaning on the doorway, a permanent frown on his face.
"She has to go back in colonel." Jake sighs, hiding his rolling eyes with a well-timed turn of his chair.
"Not a chance in hell."
We had been having this discussion for two days, mom and dad were on opposite sides of the board.
"This isn't a choice Ranger rick." Grace sighs
"Colonel, I don't like this better than anyone but doctor Augustine is right, its just getting worse." Jake crosses his arms
"The longer she's out here the more problems its causing in there." mom sighs
"Well there wouldn't be any problems if you'd let me blow that god-forsaken place to hell."
"Dad." I state, eyeing the male with a sigh "I have to go back in. It's the only way to keep Jake and Norm safe."
"I think Jake's got it covered."
"No he doesn't!" Grace and I say in sync.
"He doesn't even speak the language." I continue
I curl my fist, trying to kill my anger. We had been going in circles. My hand grab his, pulling his eyes to me.
"Dad, while the beginning might not have been great, Jake and I made a deal. And like you always say, in this family, we look after our own."
He sighs, a small smile finally finding his lips.
"Well... you are my daughter after all." his hand lifts, resting on my cheek "But you promise to give them hell you hear me? No one hits my daughter and gets away with it."
..
..
I pull down the metal bar, feeling dad's comforting hand on my cheek.
"I'll be right here when you get out." dad says, his calloused fingers lingering longer then I'd expect and lean into them.
"Ranger Rick." Mom states when his hands refuse to release the cover "She needs to do this."
Yet Dad's eyes stay on me, a hell-storm of emotion in those usually powerful eyes. Worry. Anxiety. Fear.
"Ranger Rick." mom states with more force.
Lyle's appears beside us, a wink of encouragement sent my way before his hand rests on dad's shoulder.
"Colonel." his voice was soft "Colonel, let her go." Dads eyes finally flicker to him "... you need to let her go."
Dad blinks, a gentle sigh as his eyes find mine as he lets go of the lid. I reach up, slowly pulling the door down with a wink.
I force my racing heart to calm down. I had no idea where I would be or what I was waking up too. The logical part of my brain was screaming at me to get the fuck out of this machine and let dad do what he did best, but the thought of leaving Jake alone pulled at my heartstrings. Following the glowing lights I feel myself floating, floating some more, then I'm falling.
Falling hard.
I cough, every inch of my body hurt. I groan, the massive throbbing echoed through my body like a drum and I curl my fists.
With everything going on with my other body I'd forgotten this one had taken such a beating. I was thankful the three day vacation had given me sometime to heal but the ache was bone deep.
My eyes take in the roof, the large palm leaves draped over the wood and the familiar face of Mo'at hovering over me.
"Welcome back my child."
I couldn't help the small smile and sit up with a groan "Oh god…"
"Easy child, you took quite a beating." her hand rests on my aching cheek "I was worried you wouldn't wake up, you're spirit was so faint I thought Eywa was taking you."
"Don't worry Mo'at, I'm stronger than I look."
Her hands move down my body and I notice the lack of earth clothes, simply small scraps of cloth and beads covering my private regions. With the lack of coverage I could clearly see the onset of bruised covering my flesh.
Mo'at looks down, what I dare say was shame on her face "I'm sorry I didn't come to you sooner. I did not understand what Eywa was saying." she says in English.
I take her hand, speaking in Navi "It's alright, I'm where I need to be now."
My eyes flicker to my left, seeing Norms unconscious frame and take his hand. It felt warm to my touch. Good, I hope that meant he was improving.
"He is growing stronger each day." Mo'at says "Your brother will recover Sophia." her eyes flicker to me "Though I hope he has more sense then the first born." I can't help the snort of amusement as she sighs "This Jake Sulley sees as much as a rock. I'm starting to see why Ewya knocked him out of that tree."
He fucking didn't…. I fight every urge in my body not to smack myself in the head. For god sakes Jake!
"Yes, well I'm just glad he survived."
She sends me a sideways glance "That has yet to be determined little one."
..
..
I sighed again, adjusting my seat beside the bench. I was covered in multiple sets of leaves, pungent brown oils, moss and what looked like rotting tree moss were slathered all over my bruises and I did my best to ignore the slight burning against my flesh.
"Sit, rest. I will summon your brother to you soon." Mo'at said before disappearing out the covered doorway about half an hour ago.
My hands lift, running over Norms forehead softly. It was still warm, the fever having not yet broken, but the constant mumbling and painful grunts had stopped this morning. I also knew Norms brainwaves were improving with each scan from home. Now, all we could do was wait.
The curtain opens behind me, the light of the sun dancing across the wall "Seriously?" I don't even bother looking back, wringing out the cloth in cold water "I can't believe you actually told them the tree story." I snort, placing it on his head.
Yet Jake doesn't answer. He doesn't move to embrace me or laugh. And when the sound of a weapon unsheathing hits the air I spin around. It wasn't Jake who had entered the tent, it was Tsu'tey, furry in his eyes and weapon in hand.
"No!" I move, grabbing his wrists and struggle, the blade hovering over an unconscious Norm.
We struggle against each other but with my injuries I could feel myself losing, he was much stronger.
I hear dads voice echo through my head 'Remember, don't let him get the advantage, always be on guard. They may be stronger but you are faster.'
Forcing the blade forwards instead, stabbing it into the side of the bed and kick his leg. We fall, the two of us hitting norm and tumble to the floor in a tangle of limbs. Tsu'tey tossed me off and I roll, standing again before norm with a wince and hiss.
"I don't fear you demon." he smirks.
I see the blade gleam in the sun and hiss. He smirks, dropping into a stance and strikes. I slide back and counter with a punch. He moves, avoiding it and swings again. I grab his wrist, stopping the blade from sinking into my stomach and move, twisting his wrist sharply to the right like I'd practiced with Dad. My other hand moves, smacking the knife across the room and smash my elbow into his cheek before he does something stupid. He hits the ground as the animal skin lifts, Jake and Eytukan in the doorway.
"What the hell?!" Jake growls, I see his eyes flicker to the blade by his feet, my protective stance before Norm and Tsu'tey now wiping the blood running down his lips.
"Jake I'm fine! Stand down."
Jake had moved, glaring at Tsu'tey with clenched fists but ultimately choses to check on me and the small cut running from my collar-bone to the top of my shoulder.
"Tsu'tey!" Eytukan glares like a furious parent "Explain yourself!"
His mouth opens, then closes, eyes flickering to me for the briefest second before falling to the floor "Eytukan… I-"
"The fault is with me Eytukan," I wince as Jakes holds a cloth to my wound "I asked Tsu'tey to show me some self defense and it got a little out of hand." I bow my head slightly, watching him look at me, then Tsu'tey, and pick up the bloody knife.
"Tsu'tey, outside. Our guests are resting."
I see him walk by, body still tense as our eyes lock, anger, hatred and something else lingering in their depths.
When he turns, finally leaving and I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding, heart still pounding and turn, checking Norms sleeping frame. Despite the larger gash in the bed he was unharmed.
"Sophia." I jump, turning to see Eytukan standing in the doorway. His eyes hold mine for a moment before he smiles "That was a good fight."
Despite the situation I can't help but smile as well.
..
..
With Manova watching Norm I was free to move around home tree.
I wrapped my shawl around my body a little tighter and make my way down the stairs, Mo'at makes her way to me with a smile.
"Sophia, welcome back Child."
I nod, greeting her properly and take her offered hand "Mo'at."
"How are you feeling?"
"A little nervous to be honest."
I glance around us at the curious faces, looking for one in particular. Mo'at must have seen it "You can relax child, He is not here."
"He?"
"Tsu'tey is out with his hunting party, he shouldn't be back for a while." she nods her head to the back, the large clearing outside of home tree "Neytiri and Jake are out back, why don't you go join them."
I make a slow trek down the forest, moving around home tree and gently run my fingers along the rough bark.
"Wow…" Even standing here it was fascinating just how big home tree really was, I could crain my neck all the way back and still not see the top. No wonder Dad and Parker wanted home tree so bad.
Neytiri smiles, motioning me over "Sophia, come."
I glance around the open space, taking in the many faces of horses. Stepping closer I watch them tense, a few horses jumping away from me in fear.
"Shh, shh," I lift a hand, watching them move back still.
Nayteri's face shifts, her hand grabbing the head of a near by horse and calm the beast.
"Easy, easy…" she whispers, yet when I lift a hand she steps back again. Neytiri grabs my hand, yanking me forwards and I can't help but blush when she smells my fingers.
"Um…"
She lowers my hands with a sigh "Its Palulukan, you smell like her."
I lift my fingers, trying to find whatever scent she was talking about but take a rag drenched in foul smelling liquid "Wash," Neytiri moves the rag to me twice "This is pu'wan, the direhorse pitcher plant. they might trust you more if you smell like food."
I wash my hand with a smile, airing out the scent and after another minute of watching Jake fall I move closer, stopping before a purple skinned horse. I lift a hand, simply standing before her and smile as she lowers her head in a greeting.
"This is Su'li," she smiles "our youngest E'claire."
I moved, watching Jake rush forwards again and land in the mud, Neytiri and I laughing as she runs to check on him. My hands move, running down the soft tresses of hair and her antenna. I see her looking at me and smile softly, seeing the slight fear but happiness in her depths.
I connect our minds and pause, simply feeling her. Her heartbeat, her strong legs. I could feel a presence in my mind, a sense of emotions but there was no voice, no form of higher conscious.
"So that's what Manova meant huh?" I smile, rubbing her neck when Tsu'tey and a group of hunters runs up.
Jake falls a seventh time but his eyes are on me and only me. Su'li flinched at my spike of fear and I turn, soothing the creature.
"Easy Su'li. Easy." My eyes flicker to him again, seeing a mix emotions before they shift back to anger.
Tsu'tey hated me. Despised me to my core.
Su'li hits my face with her nose and I force myself to look at her. She bends down, allowing me easy access to her back with a light step of her back leg. I feel her stand, shifting to the right slightly as Tsu'tey speaks with Jake but I was simply shifting through all the differences and similarities between Su'li and Manova.
"You should go away." he speaks in English
"Naw, you'd miss me too much." Jake smirks. I squeeze her sides, holding her antenna and tell her to gently walk forwards, feeing the sway and bounce of her natural movements.
"Go in a circle."
I feel there eyes in me, slowly loosing my grip
"little faster." I bend forwards "faster."
Moving on Manova already had given me a pretty good idea of these creatures. I couldn't help but laugh, feeling her powerful body, her joy, the wind through my hair and throw my hands up in a cheer. I tell her to stop by Neytiri.
When I look up Tsu'tey was gone.
..
..
"Go now child, its time for you to eat." Manova thinks, her head brushing against mine softly.
"I don't want too…" I think back, leaning on her shoulder.
She snorts as memories of Tsu'tey play over my mind "Well, I could always eat him if it made you feel better."
"I think that would cause me more problems in the long run."
She hits my shoulder twice "Go now child, I shall stay with your packmate."
The walk to the main dinning hall was a bit confusing but I followed a group of children and smiled when I saw Jake. I lift a hand, going to call my Pseudo-brother when a strong hand pulled me into a hidden cove, I'm shoved against the wall and throw a punch. It connected with someone and I move, bringing my knee up to their groin and shove them on the floor.
When we both stop I glare at my attacker "Tsu'tey? What the hell?!"
He stops, wincing slightly and stands
"You can fight…" His words were soft, like he was confirming his own list
"What?"
His eyes find mine.
"You can fight!" He states with more anger.
"Yes! My father taught me." I rub my tender wrist "Now what does this have to do with you man-handling me?!"
He never answered, simply staring at me before leaving. I follow him to the large circle and make my way across the mess of limbs with more grace then Jake. I squat as Neytiri shoves Jake down and disappears.
"So what happens now?" He whispers
"The Na'vi eat together, it reinforces the bond they have, the family ties." I nod my head, seeing an elderly woman surrounded by children, two of them holding up leaves with different larvae. "It shows that they are all needed and will all need each other." I see his eyes move "here there are no walls, no separation. Here they are all one."
He nods slowly "Yeah, kinda reminds me of the mess hall back home."
When Neytiri returns we eat, answering a few more of Jakes questions along the way but I couldn't shake Tsu'tey's burning gaze.
..
..
"Oh Jesus! Would cut this out!" I snap as Tsu'tey grabs me again and I'm pulled out behind a large root.
His strong arm pins my shoulders, our faces inches apart "You can fight!"
"Yes..." I slowed down my words like I was speaking to a child "We've been over this remember?"
"Why didn't you!" He suddenly blurts out, shaking my shoulders "When you were caught, I had you!" His gaze holds mine "Why didn't you fight back?"
His English was rough and pointed and I swallow softly.
"Because I'm not here to hurt anyone Tsu'tey." I blink "I know you don't trust me but I mean it. I only wanted to help my brother."
Read and Review, Peace.