RIPTIDE - Neteyam fanfic

five

"Maybe in another lifetime"

The spirit tree was sacred to the Metkayina clan, located in the cove of ancestors. Stelle' liked to visit it now and then, admiring its glow and the energy that surrounded it.

Out of boredom she'd decided to drag everyone along with her on her next visit. All the Sully's were intrigued to see what it was, gladly following Stelle' on their Ilus to the beautiful place.

It was truly a wonderful sight. Kirri, having the strong connection with nature, was clearly the most mesmerized of all of them. She reached out to touch the tree, connecting with it.

Nobody thought much of it, all busy admiring the sight for themselves. That was until she started violently seizing.

Stelle' rushed to her, grabbing her from underneath as she shook in her arms. Soon she caught the attention of all the others and they rushed to help.

Neteyam was by her side in seconds bringing his lips to hers to supply her with air as rotxco supported her head. But it was of no use. Kirri hadn't just passed out or run out of breath, she was having a seizure.

Stelle' ushered her onto her Ilu. "She's having a seizure! We need to get her home now!"

"Kirri!", Tuk cried out, tears brimming her eyes.

Neteyam pulled her to his Ilu. "Come tuk quickly."

Rotxco and Announg got onto their Ilus as well trailing behind Stelle' as she went as fast as she could, her chest swelling.

The trip back to the huts was shorter than the trip to the cove, seeing as they were in a hurry. Stelle' rushed to pick kirri up off her Ilu, struggling to carry her weight with the worries flowing through her mind.

Neteyam grabbed kirri from Stelle's arms. "Let me."

Stelle' let him take her, following him as he took her to their hut. Metkayina people stopped to stare as they rushed to the hut. Neytiri stood outside of the hut, eyes widening in worry once she spotted Neteyam carrying an Ill kirri.

"Neteyam! What happened?!", she shrilled.

Kirri was taken inside and stelle' was told to wait outside. She did not plan on leaving until she knew kirri was well. She felt extremely guilty for if she wouldn't have had the bright idea of taking them along to the tree, none of it would have happened.

She tried to calm her racing mind by pacing outside of the hut. She watched as sky people went in and out of the hut with technology and supplies she was unfamiliar with until Neytiri forced them out and accepted Ronal's help in healing kirri.

It had seemed to do the trick, because minutes after Ronal had gone in to help, Stelle' was let inside of the hut.

A wave of relief washed over her once she saw kirri sitting up with her eyes wide open. She didn't know what she would've done if the outcome would've been any different. If she'd walked out of this harmed or even worse, dead. It was terrifying to think about.

Happy tears spilled from Stelle's eyes as she kneeled by where kirri sat, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Ki, I am so sorry I-"

"No.", kirri interrupted with a soft smile. "This was not your fault."

Stelle' sighed. Nothing anyone said would remove the guilt she felt for it. "I'm just glad you're ok." She spotted Neteyam in the corner, his demeanor was still stiff and he was clearly still a little shaken. Stelle' looked back to kirri with a weak smile. "I'll let you get some rest."

Stelle' walked out of the hut with a headache from all the stress. Kirri was now okay and she had apologized which meant she could leave and return to her duties.

"Stelle'!", Neteyam called from behind her.

She was scared to turn around and face him, worried he would blame her for what happened too. She turned around ready to spill out an apology. "Neteyam I am really so-"

He took her hand in his, quieting her. "Do not apologize."

"But I feel like I have to. I owe you an apology for causing this and scaring you and your family. I should know better than to bring beginners to the spirit tree. It's unpredictable and i underestimated it's power and-"

"Stop." He looked her in the eyes and she felt like she could melt into the floor. "Stop apologizing. Stop blaming yourself. This was not your fault. Things happen."

Stelle' spotted jake sully over neteyams's shoulder. He didn't look too happy to see her talking to him. "Maybe this is a sign."

Neteyam studied her face, seeing if he could understand what she was about to say. "A sign?"

"That I should not befriend you and your family. That we should strictly stick to training. Because clearly my judgment is wrong about what I should and shouldn't do with you guys and it almost cost you a life."

"What? No." He shook his head rapidly. "Stelle' no."

She dropped his hand. "I'm sorry, Neteyam. I have duties to fulfill as the future leader of my people. Maybe it's for the best. I'm not meant to mingle with people that are not my kind."

"Says who?"

"Our society."

"Neteyam!" Jake sully called for his eldest son.

"Stelle'!", tonowari called for his eldest daughter.

"Looks like duty calls for both of us separately."Stelle' looked at the floor, unable to look into his eyes and let him cause her to regret everything she just said. She had to stand her ground. "I'll see you around, Neteyam."

With that said she turned around and did not look back. She felt his gaze burning into her back. She knew If she turned in that instant to meet his eyes he would already be looking at her. But she couldn't do it. Because then her strong facade would tumble. She would run into his arms and never want to leave. And she could not have that happening. Not with all her responsibilities and expectations she has to live up to.

Maybe in another lifetime she can enjoy his friendship and that of his family. But not in this one.

Looks like we've hit a bump in the road, but do not fret for it will be overcome. I promise :))