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09

Aponi was hunting. 

She felt the absence of Jake clear as day, but it was her choice to make him stay away. She didn't think she could handle the sting of pain every time she looked at him and saw the way he held Neytiri in his arms. Sometimes she needed to be selfish. 

It seemed like she had been selfish for quite a while, now. 

Her hand let go of her bow string as the arrow soared through the forest, connecting to her target with a satisfying thump. The Yerik she had been tracking for the past two days had finally been laid to rest, and she was upon the animal swiftly. After siting a prayer to Eywa, she pulled her arrow out of the animal and stood up, getting ready to lift the animal up and over her shoulder. 

She paused and felt her ears swivel on her head, sensing the burning feeling of being watched. She turned around slowly, not letting her expression waver as she faced the two who were entering the clearing in front of her. Jake looked cautious, and Neytiri looked sullen. 

Aponi couldn't help but think to herself how good the two looked together. She sniffed and turned around, beginning to pick up the Yerik. "If there is something you wish to say, you should say it." She spoke aloud, feeling their eyes on her back. There was shuffling before she was turned around, Jake and Neytiri closer. Jake's hand was on her arm, and it burned where it touched Aponi's skin. "What are you..." She went to say more, but felt the words dying on her tongue as she looked at them both.

Her heart skipped a beat, and then another, before she sighed. She put the animal on the ground and motioned for the two to follow her, sitting on a fallen log near the entrance of the clearing. They followed after her, sitting on either side of her.

She was starting to get serious deja vu.

Her tail curled around her arm as she looked at the two before Jake cleared his throat, looking over her head at Neytiri with an expression that urged her to speak. Neytiri let out a soft huff before looking ahead. "Why did you not say goodbye?" Her voice rang out, and Aponi had to hold herself back from shivering at hearing her voice after all those years. 

"Why would I?" Aponi said, eyebrows furrowed in anger. "Your family wanted me out as soon as possible. You wanted me out as soon as possible." She explained, clasping her hands together to try to give herself some sort of comfort. 

"It wasn't like that, Aponi." Neytiri spoke after a moment, voice sounding thick with emotion. "I was upset. Angry. Not at you, but at the sky people." There was silence as Aponi began to get frustrated, starting to stand up before she felt two hands grasp her arms. She shrugged them off and moved to pace in front of the two, needing her space before she did something cruel. 

"I heard the conversation. I'm not stupid." She said, louder now. She was beginning to feel the anger and embarrassment come back. "You didn't want me, so I left! You don't get to be angry!" She cried out, eyebrows furrowing. She hadn't realized the tears had started until Jake reached a hand out, wiping them away. 

Neytiri got closer, forcing the girl to sit down in front of her. "I could never not want you, Aponi." She spoke quietly, putting her own hand over Jake's. They were all silent for a moment, holding each other close, breathing synchronized. 

"Mo'at and Eytukan have allowed your return. They want to speak to you." Jake said quietly, watching Aponi turn to face him. Her expression was surprised, before it broke out into a smile and then he was tackled. Neytiri let out a giggle and rested her hand on Jake's leg as Aponi hugged him close, whispering her praise with happy tears. 

Later, after they spent time sitting and getting to learn each other (Or relearn for Neytiri and Aponi). Neytiri lead them both back to the Home Tree, and Aponi was reminded of the first time she ever came. People pressed their hands on what they could reach, but this time it wasn't in fear, or anger.