Loving You | Lo'ak x Tsireya

Chapter 15

*Fanfiction based on Avatar 2: The Way of Water by James Cameron..... I do not own any of the characters!*

"Toruk Makto's son is a warrior!" Tonowari boasted out loudly to Jake with a hand on his shoulder, the man tried his best to laugh the comment off yet he couldn't help but cringe at the name.

The pounding of chests and deep low vocals harmonized in the atmosphere. The sky was dark yet the celebration was lit from the glowing torches and fire that centered the beach. Loud drumming also echoed through the beach. The attention seemed to be focused on Lo'ak, whom was the only one celebrating his new becoming of a hunter as everyone else close in age had graduated from training a few months prior.

"Thank you. Thanks." Lo'ak repeated the words for what felt like the hundredth time that night as another man and woman of the village had congratulated him. To Lo'ak it didn't seem much of a big deal, but to the people, it was a revolutionary moment. To have another foreigner of Na'vi coming from a different tribe, from different ancestors to different cultures, and to embrace and accept him into their lives as one who endured the journey to learn the ways of the reef people, it truly was a historical event.

Lo'ak held onto the spear in his hand, carved from the Spirit Tree itself as a symbol of becoming a warrior of the Metkayina Clan. The boy traced the unique carvings that were finely crafted into the wood, he admired it. Since coming into this foreign place he had always wanted one. He'd recall the moment him and Neteyam first took notice of the spears in the black inked warrior's hands. To think that he himself was now embroidered with tribal tattoos with his very own spear, if he told himself just a few years back that he would be a warrior for a reef clan he wouldn't believe himself.
After tonight Lo'ak is a warrior, and he will continue to walk as one. The boy loosened his grip on the spear as his late brother's image lingered in his head for a moment. The two were supposed to be mighty warriors together, yet here he was, holding his spear without Neteyam by his side.

"I am very proud of you Lo'ak." Neytiri spoke up in a low voice as she stepped up from behind the boy, standing beside him.

Lo'ak turned his head to the side, looking to his mother, "Thanks mom."

The teenager stood as tall as his mother, if not an inch taller. Neytiri gave him a gentle smile whilst running her hand down his right arm which was covered with his ceremonial tattoos.

"Are you happy with these?" Neytiri asked in a calm voice.

"What? The tattoos?" Lo'ak looked down to his right forearm which Neytiri was holding onto, "Yeah, they look cool. Better than getting my skin pierced back home." The boy chuckled, yet his mother held a blank expression, unamused.

"Do not forget where you came from, okay?" Neytiri's voice was softened yet stern. She looked off to the side where all the reef people danced and celebrated. "There are times i wish you could have experienced everything you experienced here back in the forest." The woman swallowed for a moment. Lo'ak only watched her facial expression.

"Are you happy here mother?" Lo'ak suddenly spoke up. Neytiri had only ever asked if him and his siblings were happy here, and overtime they were happy. They grew to love the environment around them, and adjust. Yet, the boy wondered if his mother was ever happy here.

Neytiri looked to him, there was a pause before a soft smile touched her face, "I'am son. With all of you here I am content. This family is my home." The two stared at each other for a moment, "But my vivid memories lay inside the forest." The woman's expression suddenly dropped, her brows furrowed as she looked at her son, "Do not even think about taking out your braids."

"Mom." Lo'ak laughed at his mother's expression.

"What?" Neytiri straightened her posture and jerked her head back slightly, "I am being serious."