Don't blame me - Neteyam

Chapter 1

Pandora forest

Omatikaya high camp

"I'll be back before you know it, Paysyul," Lei'la spoke softly, hugging her little sister. RaiRai let out a small sniffle at her sister's voice. Once again, the eighteen-year-old was being pulled from her family to join the hunt in the raid against the sky people to steal their supplies. Normally all the warriors of the war party were allowed to take part, but this raid was reserved for those of age, meaning Lei'la's little brother wasn't allowed.

"It's such bull," he groaned, pouting in the corner of the hut. Lei'la tilted her head, giving her brother a look.

She patted her thigh, signalling Ka'ey to come, but he just shook his head like a moody teenager, which he was.

"Fine" She stood up, wiping her palms on her thighs. Her eyes left Ka'ey and went back to RaiRai, whose golden eyes were filling with salty tears. "I'll be home before the eclipse."

"Pinky promise"

Lei'la held her finger, interlocking their fingers. "Pinky promise," she kissed RaiRai's forehead before leaving the tent, her bow slung over her shoulder as she headed towards her Ikran.

"Lei'la" The girl had no time to react before a body clashed with hers, tightening their arms around her waist and burying their head buried into hers. "Be home by eclipse," Ka'ey mumbled. Lei'la let out a small laugh, placing her hand on his head and giving it a small pat, a sign of love.

"Eclipse, I promise, baby brother." Her soft voice felt like warm cookies and milk on a rainy day, instantly calming the boy's nerves about his sister flying off into danger. She gave his head a final pat before she jogged over to the loading dock, where her Ikran Tìreyä sat waiting for her owner.

"Hi, my sweet girl," she whispered, nuzzling into the Ikran's neck. Tìreyä relaxed under Lei'la's touch, letting out a satisfied hum at the attention. Lei'la reached over, placing the saddle on her back. She loved caring for her ikran; it brought her a sense of serenity and peace, but it was rudely disrupted by the sound of loud cackling and shouts. Her head whipped to the right to find a bunch of warriors congratulating and praising Neteyam on his recent hunt. The eldest sully ventured into the forest alone and brought back a hexapede. Lei'la would think that was impressive that she hadn't already done it about ten times before, but of course, the Olo'eytkan's son would be praised for such a simple task. Those boys practically kiss the ground he walks on, which makes a deep rage ignite in Lei'la's stomach. One of the hunters noticed her staring, shouting out to the girl, "Did you hear about Neteyam's hunt? He brought back a hexapede alone".

Lei'la rolled her eyes at his enthusiasm. "Tell me something impressive, will you?" She returned, shaking her head as she turned back to Tìreyä whispering sweet nothing to the creature.

"That wasn't very sporting of you," as if the day couldn't get any worse. Lei'la scoffed; she didn't bother turning around because she knew the boy behind her had the smuggest smirk on his stupid face.

"Fuck off, Sully, I'm not in the mood," she deadpanned, tying the straps in a tight knot.

"Aw, come on, that's not very nice," he mused teasingly. He knew exactly what buttons to push to get her riled up, and annoyingly, it was working.

"Like I said, I'm not in the mood." Her fingers worked meticulously, securing the gear to her ikran, and it almost made Neteyam forget why he came over.

"It seems you were not impressed with the hunt." He said he was walking in front of the girl, stopping her from continuing.

She shook her head. "I have completed that hunt many times; it is not that impressive; even Rai could do it." She returned, trying to walk away from the eldest Sully, but his large frame blocked her path. "Move"