horizons | jake sully

F I V E

Jake was getting better. He could speak the language better and he could hunt better. It was like a switch flipped and he knew how to do it all. I didn't know if I was more proud of myself or of him. Something was different about him, though.

Neytiri had told me to take him hunting with me. She refused to come with us. Claimed she didn't want to have to experience his ignorance. So now I was walking beside him to a small area of water. I crouched by the edge to see if there was any good looking catches.

"See that one there?" I said, pointing. Jake nodded. "Shoot it."

He stared at me.

"You want me to shoot it?"

"Yes. Focus, make sure you're in the right form and breathe."

He nodded and pulled his bow up. I watched him pull back the arrow and his form was still not perfect.

"Straight back. Make sure this hand is in the right position," I said, putting my hand around his wrist. I saw him inhale sharply and he kept his eyes down at the water.

"Ready to go?" he said.

"Mhm."

He let go of the arrow and it nailed the fish straight in the middle. He looked at me like a child and grinned. I smiled back and watched him get it out of the water. He pulled the arrow out and dropped it into the net bag. Then he kept going. He would scout the water for more fish then raise his bow. I didn't get a single shot in.

I just watched him. Recognized all the progress he's made. I'm not even sure he understands how much progress he's made. It's been so much in such a little amount of time. The days have blurred together, if I'm being honest.

"I think that's enough," I said, glancing down at the bag.

"You're not going to shoot anything?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"No. You took care of it pretty well."

I saw him smile slightly and he handed me the bag. I just stared at him, not knowing what he was doing.

"Take it."

"You shot them all, it's all yours," I said. Instead of backing down, he grabbed my wrist and shoved the bag into my palm.

"You take credit for it."

I didn't know what to say to him. He didn't give me a chance to respond either, he just started walking back through the trees. I stayed put for a moment, trying to understand why.

I hurried back through the trees and caught up with Jake. Luckily he hadn't walked far at all. I think he might've been waiting, but I can't be sure. He looked over at me and nudged my shoulder lightly. I shook my head and smiled.

Neytiri didn't seem phased when I handed her the bag, but I knew that if she knew the truth she'd be unable to speak. I sat down and held my bow in my hands, tracing the carvings on the sides. Whenever I get bored, I take a knife and engrave various different things on the wood. It's like my own little personal touch.

I kept looking up to see Neytiri actually teaching Jake something. She was visibly annoyed, but she was still helping him out. I think she secretly enjoyed being in the teaching position now. She'd never show it, but I can see it in her eyes.

After a while, Neytiri sat next to me while Jake got into some sort of argument with Tsu'tey.

"He is insufferable," she groaned.

"He's not that bad."

"Don't."

I looked over at her. Her voice was firm and her eyes were piercing through me.

"Don't what?"

"I see it. You've known him for only a few weeks," she said.

"You see what?" I asked, knowing damn well what she was saying.

"Do not play stupid, L'ai. He's one of them. He won't be good for you."

I stared at her. I had dropped my bow onto the ground and I could feel eyes on me.

"You do not see anything, Neytiri. There is nothing to see. I'm teaching him. That's it."

"Do you sincerely believe that?"

I huffed and looked away.

"Don't forget what he is. We can teach him everything but he will still be one of them."

The feeling was like being punch in the stomach. I snapped my eyes to her and my head was spinning.

"So what am I, then? Am I just 'one of them' too?" I asked. Neytiri's face fell and her expression was sad now.

"No," she said, "No that's not what I meant. You are not like him."

"I am exactly like him. Do not forget they tried to force me away too. But you taught me," I said. She shook her head at me.

"L'aiola you know I did not mean to-"

"I need a break," I interrupted. I felt her grab my arm but I shook her off. She called for me but I refused to turn around. I put my bow on my back and called Seya.

She flew to me and I climbed onto her back as Neytiri came closer. Those who were around us were now focused on our argument, Jake included. Neytiri placed a hand on Seya's back and looked up at me.

"I am sorry. You know you are my sister. You are not one of them."

I just looked at her. She looked down at the ground and stepped back from me, letting me fly. Seya pushed off the ground and took me right to where I needed to go. I looked back to make sure nobody followed me before ducking into the trees and landing in the clearing.

J
L'aiola took off into the sky and vanished from eyesight. Neytiri stood and watched, her face was upset and they clearly had been arguing. I worked up the courage to confront Neytiri about the situation.

She scared me. It was obvious she didn't want to help me and was only doing it because L'aiola wanted her to. They seemed close. It's been six years since she broke off of her mission, so it does make sense.

I took a breath and walked over to her, wiping away any nerves I had over talking to her alone. She turned to me and immediately I felt small.

"Is everything okay?" I asked. She sighed and crossed her arms.

"Everything is fine."

"Where did she go? Seemed serious for a second."

"She likes to disappear into the forest a lot. It's a clearing. She's fine," Neytiri said sharply. I nodded and turned away from her. Part of me wanted to remember this information and use it for this mission.

But another part of me was screaming not to mention it at all.

L
I took my anger out with my bow. Shooting the tree straight ahead as many times as I could. How could she make such a bold accusation? There's no evidence to back her claim up. I'm doing what I was told. She should be doing the same.

Whatever. It's not important anyway. He's almost fluent in our language and he's getting better at everything daily. It's impressive. He's about a week ahead of where I was at this point. I didn't start learning Na'vi until much later. Neytiri focused on the way of life more.

Which she can now do with Jake.

I sighed loudly and looked up through the leaves. I haven't been this frustrated in a long time. I gathered my arrows from the tree after a few hours and headed back. Everyone else was asleep, which meant I could sneak in easily.

I laid down and stared straight up. I knew Neytiri wasn't asleep. I could feel her watching me.

"I am sorry," she whispered.

I looked over at her and just nodded. We can't be fighting. Not when we're both supposed to be teaching.

Not now.