Neteyam pulled the string of his bow back, his eyes narrowed. He was completely focused on his target.
He parted his lips, letting out a small hum. The trees carried it through the wind.

Neteyam hissed low as a metal robot made its way to his target, who still held a Na'vi warrior captured.

The metal robot turned, that male inside looking older. White hair in a messy bun, dark and tired green eyes, missing yellow teeth. He was heavyset.
Very different from the men around him who were tall in their Avatar bodies. Dark hair, athletic. Healthy and young.

"Lieutenant Colonel, we captured the spy."
The one who held the warrior, Efio, by his braid spoke. His voice scratchy, almost wounded sounding.

The Colonel moved his metal arm, grabbing Efio's arm and pulling it. Stretching the muscle.
"Where's his chief?"

The Avatar around him looked to each other, each coming up silent.
The robot dropped Efio's arm, taking small steps back.
"You don't know where he is?!"

Neteyam hissed loudly, the arrow firing into the Avatars head. Efio took his chance, quickly shoving his knife into the other two.
Warriors jumped from the trees, chasing the two wounded Avatar as they ran for shelter.

Neteyam rolled on the ground, his eyes trained on the robot.
He stood, smirking as three of his fellow warriors holding the robots arms back, the last other helping Efio to his feet.
"You were looking for me, Lieutenant?"

The man went wide-eyed, his mask fogging as his breathing came heavier.
Neteyam set his bow down, ripping the harness away from the Lieutenants body.

He wrapped his four fingers around his neck, lifting him high into the air as he kicked his feet.
"Warriors, do you think the Ikran's would like a treat?"

The warriors around him laughed, spinning jokes off in Na'vi.
They loved the way the man became more manic at every Na'vi word they said.

"Speak English, you freaks!"

The laughing stopped as Neteyam brought the man close to his face.
"You will taste bitter to the Palulukan, demon."

The lieutenant went still, turning his head in Neteyams hand as a beast immerged from the trees.
On earth, the lieutenant thought it was a dog at first. Only at first.
It had many legs, a shiny grey skin, his mouth opening in two as he stared at his next meal.

Neteyam smirked, his hand tightening around his neck.
"Good boy."

The man screamed as Neteyam through him, harshly landing against the base of the tree.
He panted as the animal walked towards him, lunging onto his arm and running him through the bushes.

Neteyam turned to his warriors, picking his bow up before setting the robot on the forest floor.
"Is he wounded?"

Efio smiled, shaking his head as he stood. His own knife dripping with human blood.
The other warrior, the older one, held Efio by the shoulder, shaking her head. Hi'ná.
"You might need to train with Uveyí."

They all laughed, walking towards their homes.

Neteyam smiled as he walked into his hut, Mo'at carefully setting out dinner.
"Nonna, you should be resting. It is late."

Mo'at smiled, carefully sitting on the floor as she motioned for Neteyam to eat.
Neteyam sat beside her, setting his bow and knife by the doorway.
"Do not worry, child, I have slept enough."

Neteyam smiled, beginning to spoon the soup his grandmother made.
She smiled as she watched him, happy for his return.

Neteyam placed his knife back on his hip, his bow carefully sitting across his chest.
Mo'at sat carefully on a chair, her hands combing through her hair. Preparing for bed.
"Neteyam?"

Neteyam turned, sliding his leg guards on, stretching out to get comfortable.
"Yes Nonna?"

Mo'at smiled as she began to braid her hair into tiny braids, being quick about it.
"Have you thought about when you will leave us?"

Neteyam stilled, playing with the band of his armguard.
"No, there is still much to do. Huts need built, metal needs moved."

Mo'at turned as she pinned her braids into a bun, her hands running down her robe.
"Child, you have dealt with the sky-people. Only the insects of the demons remain."

Mo'at stood, placing her hands on Neteyam's shoulders, her fingers skimming his hair.
"You have trained the warriors hard enough to be on their own. You can return, if you wish. They are your family, and the Metkayina boy is the one who has your heart."

Neteyam looked down, hiding the smile at the mention of Aonung.
He cleared his throat, looking up.
"Nonna, I'm Olo'eyktan. I cannot just leave my people. It was never my wish to."

Mo'at smiled, rubbing her grandson's ear.
"Neteyam, we have talked of this. Choose a warrior, remain Olo'eyktan. Our people support you. You can lead them from afar."

Neteyam smiled, leaning his head forward and kissing his grandmother's head.
He led her to her bed, helping her as she laid down.
"I will think on it. Now get some rest, I will return after patrol."

Neteyam walked from his hut, climbing the trees until he reached his Ikran.
He smiled at her, petting her gently.

He quickly sat on the saddle, calling as he took off through the air. Blending in with the dark sky. He road to the cliff, smiling as Hi'ná approached him.

Hi'ná saddled her own Ikran, Y'nono, turning to Neteyam.
"A ship passed over, but no sky-people were spotted landing around the area. It has been silent."

Neteyam nodded at the report, tying his Ikran to the post.
He quickly turned, stopping his warrior from leaving.
"Hi'ná, in your opinion, who's the best warrior?"

Hi'ná smiled, knowing that Mo'at had brought up his departure.
In his time here, the two rekindled their friendship, becoming quite close.
"The wisest, or strongest Neteyam?"

Neteyam shook his head, looking up to her. Ignoring the Y'nono who nudged at his hand.
"Both."

Hi'ná laughed, wrapping her hand around her Ikran.
"You. But, the wisest after you? O'noe. The strongest is Gu'man. People, who learnt from you."

Neteyam laughed as Hi'ná took off, gliding back towards the forest floor.
He sat on the edge of the cliff, his eyes skimming his surroundings.

'Nonna, why must you difficult my choice?'

°^°^°^°^°^°

Aonung sat at the bench, his sister and future mate beside him.
He laughed as Tuk danced in the middle of the shore, the clans people smiling and dancing around her.

"She's grown, hasn't she?" Tsireya said with a smile, taking a small drink of her water.
Lo'ak and Aonung agreed, she had gotten taller. Her hair longer.

"Still shorter than the other kids, thanks dad."Lo'ak joked, the other two holding back their laughter.

Aonung turned as he felt a hand on his shoulder, his mother standing beside him.
"We need to talk. All of us."

Aonung and two followed Ronal, walking into the Tonowari family hut. Jake, Netiryi, Kiri, Rotxo, and now the three were all there.
Standing, just standing in silence.

Ronal let out a breath as she sat down on the chair, Tonowari offering her back support.

"What's going on?" Lo'ak asked, looking at his parents for an answer.

Netiryi sighed, shaking her head as she tested a hand on her mates arm.
Jake stepped forward, looking between the group of kids.
"We're sending warriors out, to the forest."

Lo'ak stepped forward, his eyes scanning the parents faces.
They weren't happy, or sad. Just, nothing.

"Why? What happened?"
Kiri asked, her ears twitching with suspension.

"Is it..is it him?"
Lo'ak asked, shaking his head already.

No one had spoke his name since he left. It was too painful. They talked of him, sometimes. But rarely.

Jake closed his eyes, his voice only coming to a whisper.
"The last report came eight months ago. We've heard nothing since. We need to check."

Rotxo leaned forward wrapping Kiri into his arms.
"So, they'll go to the forest?"

Ronal smiled, running a hand over her stomach.
"No. We sent out a warrior last night, he will arrive to him soon. We have asked for a report."

Aonung cleared his throat, looking to Lo'ak as he asked his question. Calming his worries.
"And if it's a bad report?"

Netiryi took Jake's hand, pressing her temple against his shoulder.
"It will not be."

Aonung turned as Tsireya hugged Lo'ak, his face hiding in her neck.
Rotxo doing the same with Kiri.

Aonung turned as Tuk walked into the room, her eyes darting to her siblings and back to him.
"Nung? What's going on?"

Aonung smiled, walking over to her and holding out his hand.
"How about we go on a walk?"

Tuk nodded, taking his hand as he led them to the dock.

They sat down, throwing fish to the Ilu's.
Tuk sighed, washing her hands off in the water.
"It's my brother, isn't it? They're worried about him."

Aonung leaned back, setting his hands in the middle of his lap.
He turned his head, moving a stray braid behind her ear.
"He hasn't..sent word for a while, that's all."

Tuk looked down, a small smile on her face as she rubbed her fingers down her palm.
"In the forest, when there was a lot of fighting, he would let me play with his hands. To help me. Even when he was wounded, he always put us first."

Aonung smiled, looking at Tuk through her reflection in the water.

Tuk sighed, chuckling.
"He is the best big brother. He's my hero. It's why I copied his hair. Reminds me of him."

Aonung frowned, seeing Tuk's chin begin to quiver. Her nose twitching, tears brimming in her eyes.
"You miss him alot, huh?"

Tuk nodded, wiping her eyes.
"Everyday."
Tuk turned to Aonung, her ears fluttering.
"He's okay, right? They're just worried, it's gonna be nothing..right?"

Aonung wrapped his arm around Tuk's shoulders, bringing her into his chest.
"He'll be fine."