𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 • 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲

target practice⁹

chapter nine
[ target practice ]

      "the Tulkun have not returned. and anyway, no Tulkun is ever alone." Ao'nung said from beside Nakili, Neteyam on the other side of Nakiki.

Nakili had yet made up with her brother. usually, Nakili and Ao'nung would get over the small fights within a few hours to day. this was different. this was the life of another, Nakili knew that he needed time, and she too needed time.

"this one was. he had a missing fin. like a stump on the left side." Lo'ak explained.

"poor Tulkun." Tuk mumbled and Kiri rubbed her back with pursed lips.

"Payakan." Tsireya said, all eyes on her as she spoke. "it's Payakan." Tsireya repeated as she played with her hands, anxious.

"Payakan. who's Payakan." Kiri asked looking between Nakili, Tsireya, Rotxo, and Ao'nung.

"a young pulu who went rogue." Rotxo said.

Nakili exhaled. "he's an outcast. alone." Nakili said as she felt rest Neteyams hand on her thigh, adjusting himself on the rock he was perched on. however, when he finished moving, he didn't move his hand.

Ao'nung looked at his sister, gulped, and turned back. "they say he's killer." Ao'nung leaned down to where his elbows were resting on his knees.

"no. no." Lo'ak shook his head.

"he's killed Na'Vi. and other Tulkun." Tsireya said with sympathy sustained in her voice.

Neteyam looked up at Nakili for assurance as he sat lower than her. slowly, Nakili looks down at him knowing exactly what he was thinking. "not here. far to the south." Neteyam exhaled and nodded with a light smile on his lips.

"he's no killer." Lo'ak raised his eyebrows in hope that someone would believe him.

Tsireya tilted her head with a sigh. "Lo'ak, you are lucky to be alive." she wanted to believe Lo'ak, maybe a part of her need, but she couldn't betray her family's beliefs.

Lo'ak held his hands out. "i'm telling you guys. he's save my life—he... he is my friend." his voice was determined.

Neteyam reached over to pat his shoulder. "my baby bro, the mighty warrior, faced the killer Tulkun and lives to tell about it." lo'ak hit his hand away.

Neteyam retracted his hand back and went back to his spot close to Nakili. "you guys aren't listening." Lo'ak said as Nakili sighed and gently placed Neteyams hair behind his back, running her fingers through it.

"Lo'ak, i'm listening." Tuk said

"Lo'ak, come back." Kiri exclaimed as she watched her brother walk away. she turned back. "skxawng." under her breath, Kiri muttered.

Nakili thought for a second. she looked around, everyone was thinking to themselves, so she broke the silence. "what if he's not lying. i don't feel he is." when one looked at Nakili's eyes, you know she truly felt her words.

Neteyam looked up at her big gray eyes. Tsireya started. "he killed, Nakili. it's forbidden. you know that." Nakili only looked at her sister, her jaw clenching and Neteyam saw this.

Nakili exhaled and nodded. "i know."

-

Jake, or father Sully, insisted that the older kids, also meaning not Tuk, would practice something beyond each other's natural skills. for example: Omaticaya child would teach Metkayina child a skill and vice versa. it was simple. and it was completely necessary if Jake and Tonowari could agree on it.

Neteyam, as Ao'nung handed him the bow, took it and turned to Nakili. "Nakili, you're up." Neteyam smiled at Nakili.

"good luck." Kiri whispered to her as she looked between Nakili and and Neteyam. Nakili rolled her eyes, a smile on her porcelain lips.

Neteyam handed Nakili the bow. "you see the red dot on the target?" Nakili nodded. "put your focus there." Nakili listened as she moved the bow up to the side of her sight, she angled her body as she did so.

Neteyam got closer to her, pushing her arm up more. Nakili could practically feel his breath on her skin as he held her arms to at the exact angles he needed them. "just like that." his voice was low as he spoke. Nakili slowly took her eyes off the target and turning her head first, she looked up at him.

he was already looking at her. Neteyam had a smirk on his lips; a little devious smirk. Nakili tilted her head as she held eye contact with him. slowly, carefully, Neteyam places two fingers against her jaw and turns her to face the target.

Neteyam, placing his hand under Nakili's, moves the arrow up just a bit before backing away. Neteyam watched her every move. Nakili's was sure that she'd miss the target considering the only thing on her mind was Neteyams hands touching her. she let go of the arrow and... bullseye. she hit the target.

she smiled as she heard Neteyam laugh. "a-ha." he smiled as he walked to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders to pull her into his chest. Nakili breathed out a laugh as she handed Neteyam the bow whom handed it to Lo'ak. "you're so cool." he whispered as Nakili wrapped her arm around his torso, resting her hand on his side.

Kiri couldn't help but smirk at the two when Nakili looked over at her with a hint of purple blush on her cheeks and pursed lips. Nakili looked up at Neteyam.

a/n
i felt so terribly bad for Lo'ak in this scene. like none of them were listening. ( except Nakili of course. )

secretly, this book is finished. but you don't know that.

NOT EDITED so sorry for any spelling errors.

xoxo-birdie.