Still Breathing

Chapter 28. Blood // Water

"The price of you greed is your son and your daughter." ~ Grandson

It had been about two weeks since Quaritch had been given a bit of freedom. However, Jake and Neytiri still tried their absolute hardest to keep their children away from him. But today, Tuk was curious and managed to slip away from her siblings as she made her way towards the pod that Quaritch was in.

She peaked through the entrance, noticing Quaritch was eating in the pod alone while everyone else enjoyed their meals together. He looked sad and Tuk felt bad for him. She knew what it was like to feel alone.

"You look lonely." Tuk spoke up, now stepping inside his mostly empty pod. Quaritch looked in the direction of the little Na'vi standing in his archway.

He let out a small chuckle as he nodded. "Yeah. I guess I am."

Tuk frowned slightly, her ears dropping at the sides of her head as her tail wrapped itself around shoulder. She stepped inside more, approaching the man with slight caution before sitting down a few feet in front of him.

"I don't like you. But I don't want you to be lonely. Being lonely isn't fun." Tuk spoke, staring at the Colonel with curious eyes. She'd never seen a Na'vi with hair as short as his. There was almost nothing there other than his braid.

"Thanks, Kid." The Colonel smiled at the small Na'vi who sat in front of him as he ate another piece of his fish, feeling weird eating it without utensils. He also felt weird wearing nothing but a loin cloth. But if he wanted the Na'vi to trust him, he had to act like them.

He had to become one of them.

"What's that thing on your arm?" Tuk asked, gesturing to the black ink that was on his left bicep.

Quaritch looked at where she was pointing lifting his arm slightly to see it. "What? This thing?" He asked with his mouth full as he pointed at the bird shape on his arm. Tuk just nodded, curiosity painted on her face.

"It's a tattoo. On Earth, human's typically get them if they have an important meaning or just to look cool." Quaritch explained to the little Na'vi who smiled at him. Her smile was contagious and he couldn't deny that she was adorable.

"Why did you get it?" She was so full of questions and curiosity, it was a nice change from the silent treatment he'd get from the other Na'vi.

"I just wanted to look cool." Quaritch answered with a chuckle before looking back at the little girl who let out slight giggle. "Do you think it looks cool?"

Tuk just smiled and shook her head no to which Quaritch opened his mouth, letting out a dramatic gasp. "No?" He asked dramatically causing Tuk to giggle even more.

Quaritch couldn't help but let out a tiny chuckle at the small Na'vi. How could he not? Her enthusiasm was unparalleled, she had to have gotten it from her father.

As the laughter subsided, the two just stared at each other for a moment as Quaritch tried to remember which Sully she was. "You're Tuk, right?"

The little Na'vi just nodded, a small smile creeping on her face.

"Do your parents know you're here with me?" She pursed her lips together, as she lowered her head, shaking it as she avoided his gaze.

Quaritch smiled, she was just like her father. Getting herself in situations she wasn't supposed to be in. "Don't worry. I won't tell them."

Tuk looked up at him with with wide eyes, smiling at him in thanks. Quaritch returned the smile. He couldn't believe the things he'd put that poor girl through.