Don't blame me - Neteyam

Chapter 6

Pandora forest

Omatikaya high camp 

"Hey"

Lei'la quickly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand; her head turned slightly to face the voice. "Hey Lo'ak," she whispered hoarsely. Her eyes darted back to the floor, hiding red eyes from his piercing stare. Lo'ak bent down next to Lei'la, using his index finger to tilt her chin towards him. She didn't fight his actions; her puffy eyes met his "What's wrong?" His voice was soft like velvet, immediately calming her down.

Lei'la shook her head, leaning away from his warm touch. "Just tired, that's all."

Lo'ak clicked his tongue. "You really think that I'm going to believe that crap?"

Lei'la sighed in defeat, leaning into his chest, and his arms instantly wrapped around her slim figure. "Our fathers are forcing me and Neteyam on a hunt to work out our issues," she grumbled.

Lo'ak stayed quiet. Holding her closer to his chest, he gently kissed her forehead. "I'll be waiting for you," he murmured, the softness of his voice forcing more tears to escape her golden eyes.

The sully boy sighed sadly, pulling the girl into his lap and letting her hold him close. "It's okay; you're going to be okay," Lo'ak whispered. The pair fell asleep like that, tangled in each other's limbs until the morning sun shined through her window, signalling the start of a new day.

Lei'la tied the remainder of her gear to her Ikran, her fingers meticulously wrapping the rope onto her saddle. "Make sure you don't forget your weapons, your bait, and your..."

"Nali!" Lei'la dropped her hands, turning to face her best friend. "I have everything."

Nali dug through Lei'la's bag, making the Kazumi girl roll her eyes. "Nals, I have everything."

Nali stopped moving, her eyes drooping down to her head "Sorry, I'm just worried about you".

Lei'la sighed, pulling Nali into a hug and resting her head on Nali's shoulder. The seamstress let out an audible sigh, relaxing into the embrace. "I'll be okay; you know I can handle my own."

"It's not you I'm worried about; it's the sky, people. What if they find you? Or worse."

"Hey," Lei'la said, pulling back from the hug and holding Nali's shoulders. "Who here killed three demons all by herself when she was sixteen?" her eyebrow cocked up.

"You did, but..."

"No buts; I'll come back in one piece, I promise." Lei'la held out her pinky, and Nali scoffed, shaking her head, before linking her pinky with hers, sealing the promise.

"Lei'la!"

The two girls whipped their heads to the voice; they knew it was time. "I'll see you soon." She gave her best friend another quick hug before sprinting over to the Olo'eyktan, who was standing with her father and Neteyam.

"Olo'eyktan," she greeted, motioning her fingers from her forehead downward, which Jake repeated back to her.

"Are you ready, Tsamsiyu? He asked, stepping forward. Lei'la's eyes flickered over to Neteyam, who refused to meet her stare. She scoffed internally before looking back at her Olo'eyktan. "Yes, sir, my Ikran is prepared for the hunt ahead.

"Good, I will grant you a few minutes to say your goodbyes, then you two must be off". Lei'la nodded, leaving the area in search of her younger siblings.

"I don't know who's going to get you out of trouble for the next month, baby, bro," Lei'la joked as she approached Ka'ey, who was sharpening his arrows.

Ka'ey scoffed, stopping his movements and peering up at his older sister. "I'll blame it on RaiRai."

Lei'la playfully hit his arm. "You will do no such thing," she laughed, placing her hand on his head, which Ka'ey leaned into. "Look after them for me; I'll be back before you know it," she murmured.

"You better bring something big enough to feed us for a month."

"Hmm, we'll see, baby brother," she smiled, walking back to her Ikran, but her smile quickly faded when she saw Lo'ak stroking Tìreyä.

"She likes you." Lo'ak's ears perked up at her voice, and his hands immediately dropped from Tìreyä's neck. "Sorry, I..."

Lei'la let out a small giggle, running into his arms. Lo'ak stumbled back from the force but quickly wrapped his arms around her waist. "What's that for?"

"I'm going to miss you, that's all," she whispered into his neck, and a chuckle erupted through his chest.

"Is that right?" he mused, putting on his signature smug smirk, making the girl roll her eyes playfully.

"You're a dick," she said, pushing him away, but Lo'ak quickly grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to his chest. Lei'la looked up at him, smiling sadly. Her hands rested on his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat calming her down instantly.

"Lei'la..." he breathed, but was rudely interrupted.

"Hey!"

The pair jolted apart, staring at the source of the interruption, their ears falling to their skulls. "We need to leave," Neteyam stated emotionlessly, walking past the pair to his Ikran.

Lei'la dropped her head onto Lo'ak's chest in embarrassment. "I guess I'll see you in a month," she said sadly.

"I'll see you in a month," he returned, kissing her temple.

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short filler chapter tonight but now we finally get into the hunt and more Neteyam and Lei'la to come in future chapters.

Only two a levels left so after then im free