The Nockilam Clan🦎

Six months

Six full months has went by. So much tsahik training has gone by. Chepi knows that she couldn't possibly know everything of a tsahik with only that but it's the best she will get since she doesn't want to worry her father even more. From medicine to prayers, from atokirina to the soul tree, so much has been shown to her. She felt confident this was enough and on morning it was confirmed to her.
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"Chchhhiiiiiiaaaaa"
"Kiaaaaakeeeeee"
"Uuughhhuuuuaaa?"
"Good morning"
"Uughmmm good morning"

Kiakee extra yes her arms wide stretching as Chepi got up and waited for her. She finished stretching and joined her walking to the breakfast.

"Hey kiakee?"
"Y'a?"
Kiakee already had a mouth full of fruits
"I think... this migh-"
"Chepi!"

She looked back at pe'ye waved her over. Chepi stood up joining the tsahik and her betrothed next to her. She turned her head expecting kiakee to join her but she seemed to think this was supposed to be private.

"My dear Chepi, I have thought a lot about this and can confirm that I have thought you everything I could, you can now go back to your home and become the tsahik you're clan needs"

Eyes widen. This was it. She was ready, she could get back home and help her clan. Be the leader they needed. She was crying but, she was happy. She did it. She will be the tsahik, She will be like her mother, she will be a true leader, a true helper of the clan. Tears clouded her vision as she hid behind her hands. Kiakee immediately soit her food to run to her.

"What's happening are you ok?? What did you say to her?"
"No! It's- it's ok! It's all alright, I'm- I can go back home now! I'll be the tsahik!"
"Oh! Oh that's amazing! Oh Chepi!"

She hugged her tightly holding onto her as she began to cry a little bit too. They clung to each other so tightly while the metkayina tsahik and olo'eytkan simply looked in a soft smile. They were happy for her.

The hug lasted a tiny while but they eventually let themselves breathe and both sat together closely.

"Thank you, pe'ye. Thank you so much for letting learn everything, I can never be grateful enough"
"You owe me no thanks, you're the one who worked hard all this time, eywa is truly proud of you"

Chepi smiled warmly as she squeezed kiakee's hand in happiness. She didn't even realized she was but kiakee found it adorable.

"We promise not to tell anyone about your presence here or about the Nockilam's status, while the demons went away there are still some less evil ones around that might react oddly, even then we understand if you do not want any other clan to know either, we will keep you a secret, we promise"
"Thank you. I promise one day you will not have to keep it a secret anymore, but for now, we need to get our clan back to its healthy state before being social again"
"We will always stand by your side"
"Thank you"

"I'll help you get your stuff together"
"Thank you kiakee"

The two women stood up making their way to the tent. Chepi for once taking the lead in the walk there. Kiakee however was deep in thoughts... this was it. Her only friend was leaving. Forever. This was the time to ask... how bad could her reaction be? It couldn't be that bad...
Chepi was getting her things in her bag quietly making sure everything was there.

"Chepi, I have something important to say"

She put her bag down directing her attention to her

"What is it?"
"Can I-... can I ... maybe...."
"....."
"Can I leave with you?"
"Huh?"
"Leave with you, as in ... live with the Nockilam"

Chepi was shocked but... she thought about it...
"Are you sure?"
"I have never been more sure in my life, I ... for once know this is what I want. I ... i want to be liked, by more the tsawho or you, by my neighbours, by my leaders. I want to be a sibling, a part of the family. And I think it will be with the Nockilam"

They both stood there in silence as Chepi looked so concerned.

"Yes. Yes you can. You... will you will. You will be apart of our family, I know it"

She stood up and took her her hands gently as she squeezed them reassuringly. Looking her in the eyes trying her best to spread her soft smile to hers.
Kiakee simply looked into her eyes as soft tears fell absently from her eyes.

"You are loved, and you are going to be by more people I promise"

Kiakee couldn't hold it anymore and swung her head low closing her eyes. Chepi wrapped her arms around her resting head on hers. Another hug that lasted long. Another hug that felt just so comforting.
Chepi unwrapped her arms holding her face with one hand. She was about to speak until

"Where should we ride you to?"
"EEP"

She looked back at the entrance where pe'ye was at. She was standing there confused as to what event she just missed.

"I apologize I just wanted to know if you wanted us to ride you to a certain place"
"Oh you won't need to, kaikee and I will be going back home together"
"What?"
"Im leaving with her. I am no longer a metkayina"

Stunned and speechless pe'ye took a step back rapidly blinking. Until she calmed down and looked down.

"If that is your wish then I hope you are better at your new home"
It didn't feel threatening but it did feel cold. Kiakee looked as she walked away from them and tried to not cause anything. Which was actually easy cause she was far too emotional to even attempt that.

"Let's get your stuff together yeah?"
"Yeah..."

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The clan gathered around the shore waiting to wave goodbye to Chepi. Not knowing this was going to be an event.

Chepi walked on the beach threw lines of metkayinas waving to her goodbye. Kaikee behind her making people a bit confused. As they reached the shore the olo'eytkan made his way towards them, kaikee leaving chepi's side to make space to what's about to happened.

"Kaikee te torrah, you are leaving to live with the Nockilam, you are now no longer a metkayina"

As he placed his hand on her heart, he pulled it away as an act of broken bond, making everyone whisper between themselves.

"Goodbye kiakee"
"Goodbye"

Kiakee made her to tsawho as Chepi was already sitting waiting for her. As kiakee got on they slowly but surely made their way in the water getting further and further away from the clan. Chepi looked back looking at the waving figures, but kiakee did not. No remorse was in her mind. No regret either. Only looking ahead. Where her future is.
Chepi held her tighter seeming to know what she was thinking. Kiakee simply sighing knowing what this was.
As they rode into the waters, the sun rose with them. Following them into their future.
Together