𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 || 𝗔𝗼'𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗴

8

I glance at him after he asks that question, "I'm as confused as you are Ao'nung. But whatever we are now, I'm satisfied with it."

Aella quickly flies faster and Ao'nung tightens his grip around my waist. "I'm not sure what the way back is, show me."

He points towards my right and I see the mountains from before. I fly towards them then slightly go left when I reach them.

-

"Where have you guys been!? Our brother and sisters have returned!" Tsireya grabs mine and Ao'nungs arms and pulls us towards the water.

She lets go and walks towards Lo'ak, me and Ao'nung watch them both swim off towards a Tulkun.

"Come, I want to show you my spirit brother." He grabs my hand and pulls me into the shallow water. He calls his Ilu and we both go on it.

When we reach what seems to be his spirit brother, he pats my thigh twice signalling for me to hold my breathe.

We go underwater and get off the Ilu. Ao'nung starts to sign to the massive tulkun, "My brother, how have you been? I'd like you to meet someone." He points over to me and I awkwardly smile at his spirit brother.

The Tulkun makes a loud noise and I see bubbles go out of Ao'nungs mouth, he seems to be laughing. He shrugs at the Tulkun and I swim towards him.

"What did he say?" I sign to Ao'nung and he smirks.

"He said, is this woman your mate." I watch Ao'nung as the grin on his face gets wider and wider.

I push him away and roll my eyes. "One second, I need to get some air." I quickly sign to him then start to swim up.

I look around while I steady my heartbeat once again and I catch Lo'ak getting on his Ilu. "Lo'ak!" I watch his head quickly turn to me.

"Where are you going!?" I shout louder each time I speak and I stare at him waiting for him to shout back.

"To.. see Payakan!" He hesitates for a moment, deciding whether or not he should tell me.

"Just be careful Lo'ak!" I wave to him and he quickly waves back before he swims off.

I suck in a large amount of air then swim back down to Ao'nung. I see Kiri and Tuk with Rotxo, he's showing them his spirit brother.

I smile to myself then I swim to Ao'nungs side. "What took you so long?" His hands move smoothly under the water and I can't help but stare at them.

"Nothing, just took some time to slow my heartbeat." He nods at my reply then he starts to speak to his spirit brother again.

I watch as they both communicate in different ways. Sometimes Ao'nung laughs, the smile that grows on his face is hard to look away from.

After a while I grow calmer, too calm. I some how forget I'm underwater and I stupidly attempt to take a breath.

I inhale a massive amount of water, I try to cough it out but it's not working. I wrap my hands around my throat and start to sink down in the water.

While slowly losing consciousness, I see Ao'nung swimming down towards me. Tsireya is quickly by his side.

-

My eyes quickly open and I uncontrollably cough. Water comes out my mouth and I gasp for air. I feel a hand rubbing my back.

I look up and see Neytiri rubbing my back. Jake is standing above me with a relieved look on his face.

"Are you okay Rua?" A voice comes from behind me and I turn my head, Ao'nung is staring at me. His eyes are a red colour, almost as if he's been crying.

"I'm fine. Thank you Ao'nung, and you Tsireya. You both saved me." I wipe the water off my chin and watch smile.

"It was all Ao'nung! Yes I helped you out the water, but he did the cpr." Tsireya pats Ao'nungs back and he has a mix of a proud and embarrassed look on his face.

"Right well, me and Neytiri are going to tell the others that you are okay Rua. I'm sure they'll be happy to hear that." Jake gives me a quick kiss on my head before him and Neytiri leave.

"Tsireya why didn't you do the cpr! I'm all upset now." I say sarcastically. Tsireya bursts out in laughter and Ao'nung sighs.

"Ao'nung insisted he did it! He said it had to be him." We both start to laugh harder and Ao'nung looks away in embarrassment.

"Anyways, I need to go find Lo'ak. Any clue where he went?" Tsireya gets up and brushes the sand off the back of her legs.

"Uhm.. I think he went to see Payakan." I lower my head but keep my eyes on Tsireya. I see her tense up and quickly run to the water.

"Your brother is not the best and making the right choices." Ao'nung shakes his head at the thought of Lo'ak going to see Payakan.

"If Payakan was a killer, Lo'ak would be dead. You need to believe me and Lo'ak, please." I place my hand on Ao'nungs thigh, he looks at me and sighs.

"I guess you're right. Lo'ak would be dead." Ao'nungs gets up and holds out his hand.

I grab his hand and he pulls me up. "So what now forest girl? Could I possibly get a kiss for saving your life?"

"You can definitely get a kiss for saving my life." I put my arms behind his neck and he doesn't hesitate to kiss me.