Moving Against Water

07

'Will you just stop being mad at me?' Ao'nung said as he followed through the dark village.

She ignored him as she continued walking.

'I didn't take him out there,' he said as he now stood in front of her, 'I was with you.'

'You're friends did,' she said as she looked up at him.

'I didn't know they would do that,' he said as he looked down at her, 'Please believe me.'

'Next time they do anything to my family, I swear,' she said as he held her fist between them, 'And when I want to kill someone, I make sure to actually do it.'

He looked down at her with a slightly shocked expression, but continued to follow her as she walked.

'You know I'm not going to leave you alone, so why do you try so hard to push me away?' he asked as he walked with her on the tree line.

'You know I push you away, so why do you try so hard to stay?' she asked as she ran her hands over the plants.

'I find you interesting,' he said as he watched her.

'How so?' she asked as she walked further in the trees.

'You're a strong fighter,' he said as she continued to walk, 'And protective of your family.'

'So not because I'm from the forest?' she asked as she turned to look at him.

'Well that too,' he said, making a light laugh leave her lips, his ears instantly perking up.

'I like when you laugh,' he said as he now stood next to her, reaching to touch the same plant as her.

Her cheeks instantly got hotter, turning to walk away from him.

'Well you don't give me many chances to when you act like an idiot,' she said as she felt the branches of the tree, hoisting herself up and sitting down.

Ao'nung looked up at her as she looked down at him.

'You were laughing quite a lot when you with Roxto,' he said as he stood under her.

'Awe you noticed?' she teased as she laughed, him smiling as he shook his head.

'I have to get back,' she said as she jumped down, 'I'll see you tomorrow at training,' she finished as she walked past him.

——

'Why are there so many more people?' Sola asked her older brother as they walked down the beach, many faces unfamiliar as Neteyam moved to separate her from the group.

'I don't know,' he said as many turned to stare, mostly at Sola.

They stopped when they noticed Ao'nung saying hello to many of the new faces, a smile spread across his.

'Oh hey,' Ao'nung said as he noticed the two standing there, his smile still on his face.

'Hey,' Neteyam said for the both of them.

'These are some of the warriors from the neighboring clans, they have come to train for a few weeks,' Ao'nung explained as he stood in front of the two.

'Why?' Sola asked, making his attention turn towards her.

'My birthday is coming up, so they're families will be coming for the celebrations,' Ao'nung said with a smirk, a smile on her face as she rolled her eyes.

'Let's begin,' the elder said, gathering everyone's attention.

She was about to walk with Ao'nung, but someone stopped them.

'Hey,' an unfamiliar Na'vi said with a smile towards them.

'Hey,' Ao'nung said confused as he watched the other's attention not on him.

'I'm Nino,' he said as he greeted Sola, her doing it respectfully back but not saying anything.

'What do you need Nino?' Ao'nung asked, already annoyed as he leaned his weight on the staff.

'I was wondering if you wanted to be partners,' Nino asked as he looked at Sola.

'Oh,' she said surprised, 'Um why?'

'I just'-

'No switching,' the elder said as he pushed them to begin, 'I will switch if I see fit.'

'Guess not today,' she said as she looked up at him, him nodding with a smile.

'Maybe some other time,' Nino said with a smile as he looked down at her.

'Maybe,' Ao'nung answered, trying to hide the glare as he looked slightly down at the boy, 'But Sola and I should be going.'

He began walking, Sola following him.

'He seems friendly,' Sola said as she walked farther down with Ao'nung.

'Nino has always been chatty,' Ao'nung said as he turned to face her.

'Do you not like Nino?' Sola asked as the two circled each other.

'I didn't say that,' Ao'nung said as he tried to step closer, but she moved back.

'Then why did you look mad he was talking to us?' Sola asked as she stopped walking to fully look at him.

Ao'nung stopped walking, but stood closely in front of her. He didn't respond right away, tilting his head to the side to seem if he was thinking.

Suddenly, the staff came up, swiping her feet out from under her as she landed on her back.

'I'm not mad at Nino,' he teased as he looked down at her, 'Nino just doesn't understand most social queues.'

She glared as she looked up at him.

'Help me up,' she said as she held out her hand, 'My ankle.'

He looked down at her shocked, she hadn't ever asked for help once the many days she had been there. And more shocked as he actually hurt her.

He quickly grabbed her hand, but the smirk on her face caught him off guard.

She pulled him down, flipping him over on his back with her feet. She climbed on top of him, the staff being held down on both sides over his neck, but carful to not push too hard.

'You're mad at Nino,' she teased as he struggled under her, 'Admit it.'

'What?' he asked out of breath as she pushed slightly harder down.

'Fine!' he said, 'I was mad at Nino.'

She smiled down at him, a laugh leaving her lips as she watched him. He quickly looked up at her as she smiled down at him.

'You give up too easy,' she teased again, making her laugh more.

He started laughing as well, making the pressure light as they watched each other.

'Sola,' she heard, making her head turn to look.

Neteyam stood close, a confused look on his face. She instantly got up and stood.

'Lunch should be ready,' Neteyam said as he watched Ao'nung stand, her coming fast to stand next to her brother.

'I guess I'll see you later,' Sola said as she looked at Ao'nung, him nodding as he watched her leave. Neteyam turning to glare at him before going out of view.