Kea Am'a

3-3:Fmawn Keftxo

I followed Tsu'tey to a pool that was wide and glowing with anemonids and atokirina that settled on the water's surface for a moment before floating away.

It lit his smiling face well with the blue and purple glow of the water.

"Finally alone." I mumbled jokingly.

"I thought the quiet would be peaceful. We've fought hard and soon we'll be together in a new clan." He pulled me close so that we were touching.

"But your mother!-"

"Never-mind her. She's not my leader. I am an adult, I don't need her words to guide me now."

"Everyone needs their mother." I muttered, I can't imagine being without my mom.

"You'd be surprised." He chuckled. He pressed a kiss to my forehead, "let's not worry about that now. I promised her I'd visit and she knows how to find us if she needs to." He muttered and gave me a reassuring squeeze.

"I really do care about you. Regardless of what you said, what Saeyla said. I know you are alien, but you are more than that to me." He tightened his grip, his breath blew coldly on me from his taller stature.

"I love you, regardless of what I said that night. I was angry that Saeyla had tried to court you despite your being promised to someone else. Even though you did come to me later to be with me."

"Speaking of that night... are you at peace with what happened with that clan? That kurkung(asshole)!" He hissed. He pulled away and looked at me with compassionate and worried eyes, glowing gold in the purple light.

It was a heavy question... what he had done to me was something I had pushed back into my mind because I never wanted anyone to know. It went against everything that they had taught me, it was wrong and in the end, it was the actions of a selfish, greedy, coward.

"I am at peace with it. It was one bad person and many others who were too shocked to help. It's been done, the damage has been done, he is far away from me now. And I am safe in your arms, in your company." I pulled him back in, he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead again.

We simply basked in each others presence, swaying softly with the breeze. It was like heaven feeling his warmth against me, listening to his heart beat and his breath.

"We must return home." He said begrudgingly, his voice was soft against my ear. His breath tickled me and sent shivers down my spine.

"Do we have to?" I whined. I held his hand up to my cheek and nuzzled against it.

"Yes, unfortunately. Tomorrow you have work to do. Mo'at will wonder where we are, my mother will hunt us down and serve us to her ikran." He squeezed his eyes tight with a smile, trying to force the sleep from his eyes.

"Only if we must..." I groaned upset that we couldn't just be us for a little while longer.
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We returned shortly after everyone had gone to sleep, everyone but Jake of course. He approached us like a grumpy uncle.

"Where'd you two go? I was left with all of your responsibilities." Jake yawned with furrowed brows.

"Practice for a future Olo'eyktan." Tsu'tey shrugged with a tired grin.

"Well it doesn't matter now, I mostly stayed up to make sure you guys came back okay." Jake patted Tsu'teys shoulder and walked off to join his mate in dreaming. He'll be having his ceremony in a week or so.

We found our cave and got a blanket and snuggled up to one another before falling into a deep sleep.
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I woke up early to meet with mom but she was late by a few hours.

As much as I didn't want to see my mom without normal clothes, wearing something that wasn't restrictive would help her with something I think was important. I didn't start with climbing and general moving through the forest, but for mom, she needs the practice since clumsy runs in our blood.
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The worst part about this is leaving Kxayu'lan behind. She has things to discuss with me about my sister. I won't be able to bring her because of the journey. It's over the ocean, it's miles wide according to how it was described to me.

I approached the spot outside of the valley where she likes to stay. It's shorter dark tree that has wide branches and many leaves. It's surrounded by taller trees and canopy plants.

As I approach, Kxayu expertly climbs down the tree, using the thick bark to slow her descent. Her queue moves to me instinctually. I accept her with my own queue.

"You have bad news." She grumbled

'Unfortunately I do. But I also have questions.'

"Start with the questions." She prompted.

'You had information on my sister?'

"Yes, you know how I met her. She went the same way you plan to go."

'Do you know any more?'

"No. Now give me your bad news."

'I don't think I can bring you with me. You're a nearly fully grown palulukan, we can't carry you there.'

"Why can't I swim there?"

'It would take too long, you'd drown.'

"Please don't leave me behind!" She pressed her large head against my side affectionately, "I promise I'll be good!"

'I know you would be, but it's impossible to take you without using a flock of Ikrans. The journey will be hard enough for Tsu'tey's ikran. He's a mountain ikran not a sea ikran. You're a mainland apex predator, not a small island predator.' I rubbed her head between the fleshy crest plates. 'We have six months. I'll find you someone to take care of you. And I'll visit you as much as I can.'