I See You (N. Sully)

Chapter 22

Ahurewa's laugh fell silent when she saw Neteyam return with his fists clenched, and Lo'ak heading straight past their tent and into the water. No one else had noticed it, but the faint smearing of blood on his knuckles was obvious to her. His face didn't always show what he was feeling, but his hands did. "We need to go after him." Tsireya exclaimed, standing up and watching as Lo'ak was heading beyond the reef.

Neteyam stayed silent, his distant gaze watching his brother swim into the open ocean, the only tell of his worry being the barely noticeable frown line between his eyebrows. Ahurewa stood, but made no move to follow the others as they rushed after Tsireya, calling their ilu. "Neteyam..."

"Don't."

He wouldn't even look at her.

The hurt in her vibrant eyes reflected back onto his own face when he finally turned to look at her. He thought he could take it – acting like everything was normal with her when all he could think about was the deep ache in his spirit. "Just..." He couldn't take it. "Not right now." He needed time to think, to face his feelings but alone.

She nodded, her mouth a tense line. She didn't even look back as she rushed after the others, Neteyam following quietly behind.

Neteyam hadn't spoken to her the entire time. It seemed his favourite thing to do when facing a personal crisis, was give her the silent treatment. The only communication they shared was a look after watching Lo'ak disappear into the mouth of the Tulkun. Neteyam had jumped into action the moment he saw it happen, but was held back by Tsireya's arm and comforting smile and shake of her head. His gaze had unconsciously shot to Ahurewa with his uncertainty, and the moment he realised what he was doing, he ignored her offer of a soft smile and focussed on the large sea creature before them.

When Ronal and Tonowari had found out what happened, it wasn't just Lo'ak who got in trouble, but all of them for standing by and doing nothing to prevent him bonding with Payakan, even after hearing the truth. But even amongst the angry scolding and disappointed looks, they all knew they didn't regret it – even Tsireya had tried to defend Lo'ak to her father. Despite their parents not letting it go, none of it really mattered to Ahurewa. They would learn that it was only their parents' worry that drove them and loyalty to the Tulkun, but in reality, Lo'ak was one of the people, nobody could dispute that now.

Tsireya had taken off after him, ignoring her fathers shouts, and then they were all left walking back to the tent beneath the furious glares of Jake and Neytiri. Neteyam had still now looked in her direction, but the rigidness of his shoulders had fallen away, and a new tenseness was in his eyes. Of course. He was going to take the blame for what had happened. She could tell them that he tried to stop him, but the others held him back, but it would only cause more issues between them and the Metkayina. Neteyam would take it, the older brother, always taking the brunt of it. Ahurewa could tell it was starting to wear him down. He had a tiredness to his eyes, and he was starting to do things he wouldn't usually do – like hit his brother. Neteyam was peaceful, rational and he exuded a calm confidence as a brother. Acting out wasn't normal for him.

"You were supposed to be looking after him!" Jake swung around as soon as they entered the tent. "And now he's gone and bonded with a Tulkun."

"Dad, I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

"You're damn right it won't happen again." He huffed, "What's wrong with you recently?"

"Ma Jake," Neytiri gently touched his upper arm, looking back at Neteyam softly. "Your son is tired, let him be."

Jake looked back at Neteyam, ignoring the others further in the tent, and he gave in. "This isn't over, you take care of your brothers and sisters."

"Yes sir." As much as Ahurewa hated hearing him go along with it all, she could do nothing but watch in silence. Jake and Neytiri would stay in the tent most likely, and the rest of the kids would go off and sulk about it all with the Metkayina children somewhere. Not Neteyam though. She knew him. He would pretend like everything was fine, disappear alone for a few moments and everything would be forgotten. She would have followed him, seen if there was anything she could do to help ease the burden of it all. But he had made himself clear. And she would respect his boundaries. She would join the rest of them, wait for Tsireya and Lo'ak to return and then they would all go to bed as if nothing had happened.