MOON RIVER | Ao'nung

chapter four.

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As soon as the family were back home, Jake and Neytiri went straight into their tent, leaving the kids outside.

Kiri and Tuk were both trying to hear what their parents were saying when Neyali, Lo'ak and Neteyam walked over to them.

Kiri signaled them to be quiet and listen. Neyali was quick to crouch down next to Neteyam.

"I cannot. You cannot ask this. I cannot leave my people, I will not"

Neyali felt her heart drop. Leave the people? She instinctively reached out to Neteyam, gripping his hand tightly.

"He's hunting us. He's targeting our family"

"You cannot ask this!"

"The children. Everything they've ever known. The forest. This is our home!"

"He had our children. He had 'em under his knife!"

"My father gave me this bow as he lay dying. And he said protect the people. You're Toruk Makto!"

"This will protect the people! Quaritch has Spider, that kid knows everything"

Kiri turned to look at the twins and then to Lo'ak.

Neyali couldn't look at anyone, she could feel anxiety wash over her. Her father wanted them to leave. Leave the forest. Their home.

Neteyam squeezed his sister's hand trying to offer some comfort.

Neyali couldn't bear to hear any more, she quickly detached herself from Neteyam and took off.

Lo'ak and Neteyam tried to reach out, but they were too late.

Before Neteyam had a chance to go after his twin, Jake had exited the tent with Neytiri behind him.

He saw the looks on his children's faces and closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them he tried searching for his oldest, but didn't find her.

"Where's your sister?" He asked as he looked at Neteyam.

Neteyam moved his eyes towards where Neyali had left and without another word, Jake left in search of her.

Neytiri stayed behind, trying to comfort the rest of her kids.

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Jake had found his oldest pacing in an unoccupied tent. He walked in slowly and closed the flap of the tent.

Neyali turned her head to see her father before looking away "I don't want to talk right now"

Jake let out a sigh "Sweetheart I-"

Neyali stopped pacing and looked at her dad sharpley "I don't want to talk dad, please"

Jake could feel his chest tighten in sadness at the look his daughter was giving him "You have to try and understand baby"

Neyali was shaking her head "I have done everything you have asked of me dad, I-I accepted the position of future Tsahik even though I don't even think I want it, I have been training for years to try and make myself useful to you I-"