𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 || 𝗔𝗼'𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗴

6

"Kiri! you're awake." Everyone has been sat next to Kiri constantly for two days.

Kiris eyes blink and she rubs them. She looks at us then starts to cry, "Kiri don't cry." I gently pull her up and hug her. Tuk joins our hug.

"I saw Mom.." She struggles to speak as she cries. I rub her back and Tuk holds onto her hand. Lo'ak and Neteyam join our hug and she cries harder, I look over to Rotxo who has also been waiting for Kiri to wake up but he doesn't join the hug.

"I did as well Kiri." She cries more after knowing I saw her as well. I start to tear up but I keep myself together, I don't want to upset Tuk.

We all pull away from the hug and I keep hold of Kiris hand. Neteyam puts his hand on her shoulder and rubs it.

"Tuk go get Mom and dad." I rub the back of Kiris hand with my thumb and she placed her hand on mine. Tuk gets up and runs out the marui.

Kiri wipes her eyes and looks at me, I sigh and look at her. "Kiri, I don't think you'll be allowed to link with the Spirit tree. If you do you could have a seizure again. Having a seizure underwater is dangerous."

She starts to tear up again but I quickly say something, "Maybe, you could do it again. Only under supervision though. Don't go there on your own okay?"

She nods at me and I smile at her, she returns a weak smile. Neytiri and Jake come rushing in and Tuk runs in after them. I quickly move back and Neytiri hugs Kiri, "My Kiri, do you feel okay?"

"Yes Mom." Kiri sniffles then Jake joins their hug. I hear Kiri cry more and Tuk frowns.

"Don't worry Tuk, she's just upset. I'm sure by tomorrow she will be better." Rotxo says, Tuk smiles at him and he smiles back.

"Kiri, Kiri, Kiri, shhhh." Neytiri cradles Kiri like a baby and strokes her face.

-

"So she cannot bond with the spirit tree?" Ao'nung stares at me in confusion and pity.

"Yeah, it's too dangerous for her. Something to do with frontal lobe epilepsy." I sigh and Ao'nung goes to rub my shoulder. I flinch a tiny bit and awkwardly move away.

His ears lower and he puts his arm back to his side, "Sorry, too soon." I nod at him and we sit in silence for a bit.

"Uhm, could I ask you something? I asked it before but I'm hoping you have changed your mind." I look up at him and he's already looking at me.

A strange feeling floods my stomach for the first time and I place my hand on my stomach, "Y..yeah, ask away."

"I know I haven't really done anything to change your mind but, I want to be friends. I was horrible to you and your family before but I'm sorry. I want to make it up to you." He has a desperate and truthful look on his face.

"Please." When he says that I look down and the feeling in my stomach grows stronger.

"I.." I struggle to speak, why does he have such a massive effect on me suddenly. Is it because he's better when he's nice? I'm so confused right now.

"Rua?" He quickly taps my shoulder then moves his arm back to his side. I look up at him and his face is once again full of confusion.

"Yes, okay. Friends." I watch his face slightly light up and I see his tail rapidly moving.

I hold in my laugh and he quickly grabs his tail. "So, how are you gonna make it up to me?" The feeling in my stomach slowly dies down and I calm down a bit.

"Come with me." He stands up and holds out his hand. I grab his hand and he pulls me up. "We have a forest here, it's not very far away. You'll like it."

"Call your Ikran and I will tell you where to go." He lets go of my hand after realising he's been holding it for too long.

I shout the Ikran calls and in no time Aella is in front
of me. I bond with her and her on her back, I pull up Ao'nung and he sits behind me.

"Hold on tight." I grab his hands and put them on my waist. Aella flys up and Ao'nung panics, he wraps his arms around my waist so he doesn't fall off.

"Keep going forward and when you reach those mountains over there go slightly left." He points to the mountains not to far from us and I nod.

"I hope this isn't a swamp you are talking about." I get closer to the mountain but I don't turn left yet.

"Only few people know about this place, it is not a swamp. Trust me."