Jake and Neytiri were fighting in the tent. Ever since what happened in the forest, Neteyam has been holding me or needing to touch me. Like on the ride back he was holding my leg and had his arm wrapped around my waist. And right now he had his hand wrapped in mine and refused to let go. Not that I was complaining.
His dad wanted to leave. He wanted to give the chief to the next in line and take his family to the water clans. He said they were being hunted. That everyone would be safe if they left.
Neytiri didn't want to leave, she wanted to stay with the forest, with her people.To fight, protect what was rightfully ours. Jake explained that the man that was hunting them was Colonel Miles Quadritch. We all knew the story, I didn't understand how someone could come back to life. Neytiri called him demon, something dead should stay dead.
I removed my hand from Neteyams ," Riti?" He whispered in confusion as I walked away ignoring their whispers to each other.
My mind raced. They were leaving, my family was leaving. Neteyam was leaving.
It has already been decided.
*A few hours later*
He found me in my tree.
" we leave tomorrow morning."
I said nothing staring up at the sky, the stars not providing the comfort they usually do.
" Riti." Neteyam grabbed my hand, and I ignored the feeling in my stomach.
" I cannot leave the forest Neteyam."
" What do you mean?"
I sighed and sat up, " This is where I belong."
" You're staying here?" Neteyam voice broke. I didn't look him in the eyes, he would be okay without me. He's strong, stronger than anyone I know.
" I have been alone most of my life Neteyam, I am okay with being alone again."
That is what I kept on telling myself I mean.
He turned to me, his usually beautiful smile long gone and I longed to see it.
" YOU ARE NOT ALONE ANYMORE, RITI!" He shouted at me
Like actually shouted, I don't think He has ever shouted in his life. I think my brain was short circuiting.
" You can't even see how much everyone loves you, You are a part of this family Riti. Losing you would be like losing a part of us." He shook his head, braids flying.
" You don't get to say that you're okay with it, because I'm not."
I said nothing and admired my best friend, and he man he was becoming. He was a teenage boy with too much responsibility, a great warrior, a good son. He led me to this new family, a family that has accepted me and worried about me. He has been the person who has comforted me, made me laugh, and shown me light.
I sighed long and hard. I couldn't let this skxawng go out into the world without me.Then I laughed.
" What are you laughing at?" He said all offended
" You really can't live without me huh?" I gave him a playful smile
"Really? Your really joking right now?" He huffed annoyed, I actually was enjoying how upset Neteyam was getting. I felt warm, knowing that he wanted me around. He kept on ranting about how I needed to come with him or Tuk would be upset and Kiri would be all alone and blah blah blah
" Since you'd practically die without me I guess I'll have to come with you."
" You have to come with us Riti -wait what?"
"I said i'll come with you." I smiled at him and threw an arm over his shoulder which was hard because he had a growth spirt the past year and he was taller than me now, My head only coming to his chest.
I huffed, "this was easier when we were younger."
"We aren't kids anymore Ri."
I paused and looked up into his face. I've always known he was handsome, Eywa blessed him in that department.
"What are you staring at?" He huffed I rolled my eyes
"I was wondering how you could be so ugly."
He pushed me off and grumbled under his breath calling me a skxawng. I'd let that go for now.
I sat back down and put both my hands behind my head, " I'm sure as hell going to miss it here though."
"...me too." He sat down next to me
He mumbled something, I turned my head and looked at him " What did you say?"
" mm hair mmm"
" what?"
He said it very loud, " YOUR HAIR LOOKS PRETTY."
I blinked at him a few times.
"Are you messing with me?"
" what?No."
I narrowed my eyes at him and he was looking at everything else other than me. I sat in front of him forcing him to look at me. Placing my arms on his knees, I cocked my head
" Did you just give me a compliment Netty?"
He was actually blushing, " No."
I smiled at him, "I think you did."
" You must be hallucinating."
I laughed and pushed myself away from him.I looked down from my tree and closed my eyes.
I let a little vulnerability show, " do you think...do you think everything will be okay?"
He touched my back and it felt like he lit my skin on fire.
" If we have each other then yes."
" Each other huh?" I smirked at him
" Yeah" he cleared his throat, " the whole family."
" Right." I didn't let the disappointment become clear.
" How are you feeling?"
" I'm fine." I said shortly.
" Ri..."
How did he always know?
" Today... I felt something change in me." I looked down at my hands " I killed someone today. I left Spider behind-"
" There was nothing you could have done."
I sighed shaking my head, "I..I felt rage, Netty. I was so angry, I've never felt like that before, not even in the beginning."
Neteyam hugged me and I rested my head on his chest.
" It's okay to be angry...I am too."
He ran a hand down my back to comfort me, I felt like I was burdening him with my emotions. I pulled back, " Sorry."
" Why are you sorry?" He asked confused, he did this cute thing with his head.
Wait cute?
" You have enough on your plate than having to deal with my emotions right now."
He laughed, "Ri you are my best friend. You handle my emotions and I handle yours, its a give and take. You aren't a burden to me, you rarely talk about how your feelings at all." I stayed silent and he sighed,
" When I tell you whats bothering me do you feel as if I am burdening you ?"
" No." I said confidently
" Exactly."
I smiled a little, " When did we become so emotional ?"
" You're right, this isn't like us." he nods seriously.
"I'm always right."
"That is debatable."
I looked at him offended and ignored how his smile was quite literally the cutest ting I have ever seen in my life.
"Oh yeah?"
He nodded.
" You are so going down ,Sully."
I lunged forward and he dodged me. I was so busy focusing on trying to get him that I didn't realized when I lost my balance and almost fell.
" AH!"
That was about as ungraceful as you can get.
He caught me, and looked into my eyes.
" I got you,"
We both watched the stars and laughed and joked all night, until Neteyam forced me to go back to the clan to sleep. He said it always made him anxious, me being out there alone. I swear he forgets that I spent half of my life cycle alone in the forest.
By morning we would be gone, away from our home and onto a new beginning. As long as I had Neteyam then I will be prepared for anything.