horizons | jake sully

S E V E N

mature.

"You seem to be in a good mood," she said with a teasing tone. I shook my head and laid on my back.

"I think he is ready," I said, ignoring the fact that she was watching me.

"Do you?"

"I do. Maybe tomorrow. He can go with the group."

"And you will be joining him?"

I sat up and looked at her.

"Joining him? Why would I want to join him?"

"Yes. To make sure he does not die," she said with a smile, "What other reason were you thinking of?"

I looked away quickly and tried not to think about it.

"What happened to him never being one of us? I thought you hated him?" I asked quietly.

"I still do not like him. But you were right. He is willing to learn."

"So you admit, he can become one of the people?"

"Yes. It is possible, yes," she said. I nodded and turned to face her. I could tell she didn't want to say that. But she believed it. That's what mattered. She believed it and that meant she'd put more work into this whole thing.

The next day was spent with Jake being fed information about the Ikran and how he would get one.

"You will be taken up to the mountains where they reside," Neytiri said, petting the top of her Ikran's head. "There will be a group of you. You will tie the Ikran's mouth shut and then make the bond."

I was standing next to Seya and listened to her. She kept going, giving him minimal information to get by.

"L'aiola will accompany you to make sure you do not die," she added. Jake looked at me with wide eyes and I shook my head.

"If you're smart you will not die. Don't listen to her, she's just trying to scare you," I said. Neytiri smiled and folded her arms. Jake took a deep breath and I saw his shoulders relax.

"So, when I do this, how's it going to work with a group?"

"You will go one at a time. One after the other. Do not worry about it, I'll help you through it."

"How old are the others doing this? Our age..?"

Neytiri laughed and looked at me. I gave her a look but she ignored it.

"Thirteen."

Jake's face fell and he looked at Neytiri.

"You're kidding."

"I am not. This happens at a young age for the Na'vi. But do not worry, I am sure it will go smoothly for you too."

I rolled my eyes and shoved her back. I saw a group of kids walk toward us with some adults. I looked at Jake and nodded before climbing onto Seya. I watched the kids each get on the back of an Ikran and felt Jake climb up behind me. His hands were in the same place they were yesterday and it was a lot harder to ignore him this time. I sighed and followed behind the group.

I knew Jake was nervous. I could tell. He was tense and the closer we got, the tighter his grip on me got.

We landed in the mountains and I put a hand on Jake's shoulder. Everyone was nervous. I gave him a reassuring smile and he led the way. We walked a small path and ended up on a flat area.

"You must choose, but the Ikran must also choose you," I said as he slowly walked ahead of us.

"How do I know if one chooses me?"