Surface| Neteyam

14.

My whole body was numb, the only thing I could feel was Neteyam's gentle heartbeat. We didn't say a word the entire way back; tears stung my cheeks and rolled down Neteyams back as I held onto him tightly.

Everything was too much, the way a life can be taken away in an instant, Feui was supposed to be there with me forever.

Once we made it home I waited a few seconds to adjust before getting off the foreign Ilu.
I hadn't gotten my neck checked by Kiri since the incident so it had gotten more sore over time. My whole body ached badly to the point I almost collapsed onto the sand.

We walked back to the Sully's pod, crowds of Na'vi flooded the water and walkway but we eventually made it through.

Dropping to the floor like skipping stones, Neteyam and I lay breathlessly as Ronal and his mother came to our aid.

"Aiye! Netty where were you?" Neytiri scowled, rubbing his tense shoulders.

"Sira get up, it's not polite to sleep in other people's homes like this" Ronal tugged my tail; she was right, but my home felt miles away, I would die before making it half way.

Neytiri must have realized this as she placed a soothing hand on my cheek, I froze up at the feeling of her touch, but I didn't swat her hand away like I normally would have. It felt different, it felt nice. I forgot how much I missed the tender love from a mother, even if she wasn't mine.

"Let her be" Neytiri cooed, I could tell she noticed the salty tears that remained on my face.
I smiled for what seemed to be like the first time in ages. Ronal huffed but didn't argue further.

"Kiri, is she okay" Neteyam groaned, rolling to face his mother,

"Shhh shh shh, my son you must rest" She moved her fingers across his eyes, forcing them to shut. Neytiri's soft hand still lay on my face, I leaned my head against it, bringing my shoulder close.

"Neteyam!?" everyone jumped a bit at this sudden comment, it was Kiri's undeniable voice,

"Kiri!" He stood up, ignoring his mothers advice. They quickly embraced before Kiri noticed me;
I tried subtly hiding my face with my long black hair but she had already kneeled down beside me.
I didn't want to cry anymore but I knew as soon as I was hit with those "are you okay" comments I would begin bawling like a baby.

Neteyam placed a hand on Kiri's shoulder,
"Let her rest," He whispered.

"I'm fine." I sat up, feeling Neytiri's warmth leave my cheek. I looked around the room one last time before getting to my feet and exiting the room. My legs ached from all that had happened in the past 24 hours but I wasn't ready to spill all my feelings in front of them, Neteyam was enough.

I weakly moved my legs, counting the steps in my head so I could distract myself from the immersing pain. Just then someone grabbed onto my waist, placing an arm over their shoulder to help support me.

"Just watching you walk is painful to see" Kiri sighed as she brushed the strands of hair in my face.

"Thanks, Kiri," I murmured. We walked along the stretched ocean until I found my house.

"You must be tired now, tell me more about it later" she paused, staring down at the makeshift top I had on.

"Is that Neteyam's-?"

"Uh yup this is my home, i'll see you tomorrow Kiri, bye!" I babbled, covering the waistband with my arms.

"Wait your neck!"

I slammed the door before she could say another word, it was humiliating enough that they had to see me all emotional like that and now Kiri noticed me in Neteyams clothes. I dug my head into my hands,pulling against my hair in embarrassment.