KIRI'S JOURNEY - AVATAR 3

Prologue

I used to come to this specific spot in the hallelujah mountains to be alone. It was my favorite place because it was quiet and I felt safe. I'd slip away only when mom was seemingly too busy with Tuktirey or whenever her watchful gaze wasn't on me, but wandering onto dad who was either scolding Lo'ak or Neteyam; if not both. Neteyam. He found me in that exact spot sometime after I found out that my birth mother was a human woman named Grace Augustine who was a scientist. Not a real Na'vi but an Avatar. I'm reminded every time I look down at my hands. Reminded every time I look at my family.

"Why are you out here, little sis?" Neteyam asks, startling me.

I turn my head to look up at him and start to roll my eyes, annoyed that he followed me.

"You are not my brother." I spit.

I know it's low but I'm mad at him for not only finding me but for finding the only thing I really had to myself. This was MY space. MINE. He spoiled even that.

"Says who?" He peers curiously down at me. Eyebrows raised as if challenging me.

I return his gaze with another insult ready on my lips but then realize I must have been crying because suddenly I can taste the saltiness of my tears. Quickly turning away from him to hide my face. I don't want to give him a reason to make fun of me for being younger. Even if it's only by a year. Babies cry. Tuktirey is proof of that because she cries all the time.

"You know what I mean." I whisper as I wrap my arms around my legs and rest my chin on my knees. He must know. He has to know. 

"No I don't." He says as if he can read my thoughts.

Frustrated now I shout at him. "Just look at our hands!"

I hate that there's desperation in my voice. He must hear it too because he doesn't argue with me. Even after I pull my hand back in disgust. A moment passes then he sits down besides me, sighing loudly as we both stare off into the distance. The only sound is of ikrans flying in the distance. The view momentarily calms me as the wind blows through my hair.

He must know Lo'ak is also jealous of him but for different reasons. I wish I knew who my real dad was, but it'd also be nice to have been born with 1 less finger. Maybe then growing up the other Na'vi children wouldn't have avoided me like I was a walking plague. The only real friend I have is Spider and that's because he's different too. Like me. Both war orphans. We're so close that the word 'friends' seems to not be enough. For Lo'ak though it's less complicated. He feels like he's second best when it comes to our Dad. I'm just second best at everything. Being normal is not even on that list.

"You know.." He clears his throat."You will always be my sister."

I peek at him behind my braids, seeing him look more focused than I ever seen him before. He's staring at the eclipse with a certain intensity, like he's trying hard to think of the right words to say. Or maybe I just imagined it and he's only thinking about how Dad doesn't let us stay out after eclipse. I wouldn't doubt that he's just hoping to get me to come home soon so I don't get us both in trouble. No, I know all too well he'd take the blame for me if he had to. Neteyam. Always looking out for us, his best and most annoying quality.

"Why?" I croak.

DO NOT CRY I tell myself. Not now.
There's a moment of silence that I'm almost certain he didn't hear me.

"Because Sully's stick together." He states like it's a matter-of-a-fact looking at me with that easy going smile I know too well.

While playfully tugging one of my braids he says."I see you, little sister."  

I'm oddly grateful for him right now, otherwise I would've broken down crying right then and there. Instead I find myself returning a smile as I push his hand away. Despite what I said earlier I know in my heart that he really is my brother and I can't help but love him. He doesn't have to say but I know he loves me too because at this moment, I feel it. 

She calls out my name, interrupting me from my momentary happiness of seeing him again even if it was only a distant memory. Just like jumping head first into cold water I'm pulled into reality, aware that I was only dreaming hitting me like a ton of bricks. Neteyam is dead. My brother is dead. If Sully's stick together I should be dead too. It already feels like I am when I'm fully aware of my harsh reality that I will never see him, ever again.