Neteyam

The End

The blow of the horn alerted the clan of their return. Morning taking flight which painted the blue skies in punchy shades of orange and pink. Viryn's ears lowered at the sight of the approaching clan members. She could spot Ronal amongst them and her swollen baby bump. The ikran gracefully landed on the dandy beach. Small sounds of content from the end of carrying the weight of three on their backs.

Merq'ena stepped onto the sand first. Keeping a hand on Ni'ri while extending a hand for Lo'ak to get off with support. Kiri slipped off of Kri's back with ease which Neteyam followed. The hand that had been at Viryn's side lightly brushed its finger tips down her leg as Neteyam descended.

Kiri rushed to check on Lo'ak. The boy lowering his head slightly to indulge the cataloging of his injuries. Once knowing each of the scrapes on his person Kiri turned to Merq'ena. The tallest girl clamping her mouth shut as a crimson streak of blood dragged down to her chin. "What happened?" Kiri asked as she could see the swelling around Merq'ena's nose.

"She got hit by a gas tank." Spider answered as he looked to Merq'ena. "A gas tank?" Kiri narrowed her eyes at Spider to make sure he wasn't mistaken. The bruise settling over the front of Merq'ena's face making sure to alert them that it was the truth. Merq'ena waved away Kiri's concern but the shorter girl crossed her arms. "As soon as we're done being scolded we're getting that looked at."

While Kiri was watching over the other injured Na'vi teens Neteyam pulled Viryn to his side before lifting her from her seat. The girl holding onto him tightly so she was secure enough to ease the nervous shaking that happened when she was lifted by anyone but Merq'ena.

When she spotted Ronal walking in the front of the gathering crowd she instantly lowered her ears. "Here it comes." She whispered as she moved to intercept the Tsahik. Ronal tightly pursed her lips as she stared down at Viryn specifically. Her long curly hair clumped onto the side which told Viryn that the night was just as restless for her as it was for the rest of them. "I see you." Viryn gestured with her hand. Looking up at Ronal through her lashes as if she was already being reprimanded. When Viryn lowered her eyes she saw Ronal rested a hand over her protruding baby bump with the other resting on her hip. "What were you thinking?" The Tsahik's mouth shaped into a baring of teeth.

Neteyam stepped to say something but Viryn knowingly linked her arm around his elbow to pull him back. The act instantly halting the boy from even opening his mouth. "Sneaking out, dragging your friends into your schemes. All while not even uttering a word of it to anyone." Ronal waved her hand like she was swatting at an invisible buzzing insect. "Have you any idea what could have happened?" Merq'ena glanced at her sister while her hand was holding onto Kiri's. Viryn sent her a whale eyed side eye that told her to not even think about taking the blame for her.

Merq'ena tilted her head in defiance but Viryn shook her head like she was twitching. "You can't even walk, what in all of Eywa's glory made you decide to gamble with-." "Boys!" Ronal's scolding was interrupted with Jake and Neytiri rushing over to them. Their sons rushing over to their parents. "Aw, thank you great mother!" Neytiri sighed as she pulled her sons at each of her sides. Pressing her cheek on each of their heads. Jake narrowed his eyes at the the injuries that littered his boys.

"Look at the state you're in." Neytiri hissed before kissing Lo'ak's forehead. Her youngest son knowing better than fight against her and the iron grip his mother had on his neck. Jake sighed as he pressed Neteyam's head to his collarbone. Neteyam placed a hand on top of his father's. Lo'ak was soon also pushed into the same mix of tight grip and relieved breaths. Neytiri turned on sights on with the three girls still awkwardly standing by their ikran. "Girls." Neytiri rushed over to them with her arms extended. The mother moved to embrace Viryn first to not burden her with having to limp over to where the group was hugging. Neytiri brushed the messy baby hairs back from Viryn's forehead before cupping Kiri's face.

"Oh, my sweet child." She whispered to her first daughter. "Come here." The mother looked up and gestured for Merq'ena to join the hug. Resting the side of her head against Merq'ena's hairline. The woman took in a deep breath, taking a moment to relish the fact all her children were safe and sound. But she did not relish for long. "Has Eywa taken back your brains out of your skills?" Neytiri hissed. All three girls lowered their heads in unison.

"Honestly. I pray for the strength to not strangle each of you where you stand." Neytiri mimed grabbing Merq'ena's throat as she glared at each one of them. Jake patted Spider's head as he walked over to check on the girl's too. "Dad." Kiri whispered as he pulled her to his side. "Look at the state of your sister." Neytiri hissed while gesturing the now crusting nosebleed on Merq'ena's upper lip. "Why are you closing your mouth like that?" Jake asked as he noticed the unusual tension in Merq'ena's jaw. Viryn widened her eyes at the way her sister looked back at her.

"With you're injury too?! What were you think?" Neytiri continued to chastise. Probably the entire clan had gathered so early in the morning to witness Viryn's humiliation. Merq'ena glanced at Kiri. The short haired girl already holding back her laughter. Merq'ena turned back to the crowd, knowing the way they watched Viryn with her lowered head and bow at her side keeping her upright. "Look at that bruise, what did you-?" Jake couldn't even finish his question as Merq'ena dropped her now down. A mouthful of blood gushing out if her mouth like a water balloon popped in her mouth.

The red painting the white sand crimson. An array of shocked gasps filtered through the crowd just as Merq'ena looked back up to Jake. A faint sheen of her blood covering her white teeth as she smiled up at him. "What the fuck." Lo'ak said as he had no idea what was going on.

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AN: All things must come to an end. Unless I end up doing a sequel instead of a rewrite. This book definitely needs a good heavy handed edit but I'm not much of an editor so I'll just cringe at whatever mistakes I find when I finally sit down to work on that.

Thank you to everyone who said such sweet things in the comments, you guys are the reason I kept continuing the story when I had writer's block.

Thank you to everyone who voted, they really helped to remind me that you guys liked this book and it really encouraged.

And thank you to everyone who read the book, even if they just read the first chapter and dropped it. I truly didn't expect such love for my characters since they were as layered as bangs cut at home. (I was planning on keeping the Viryn death as the end of the book but I felt really bad when people said that they were crying so I fixed it.)

I think I'm up to doing a sequel if you guys are interested. Anyways, I'm so grateful for the estimated 10 hours you've given to is book with all its plot holes and frayed ends. Until the next book or in the comment section, I'll see you guys later. :)