Not the same

dredging up the past

chapter sixteen 🐊

It had been just over two weeks since Za'nara's brush with death within Eywa. Everything was starting to get back to normal and people stopped treating Za'nara like she was about to break every second. Lo'ak and Za'nara started spending hours together, every night, after every one went to sleep. Riding on their ilus, when they know they aren't allowed, but they enjoyed each others company but wanted to keep whatever they were, on the down low as Za'nara still hadn't sorted out her business with Neteyam.

It was late at night, everyone in the village was asleep. Lo'ak and Za'nara laid down by the water together staring up at the stars.

"I can't believe my dad came from a star." Lo'ak announced.

"Earth." Za'nara replied. "I wonder what it's like."

"It's dying, humans ruined it, now they want to ruin Pandora." Lo'ak explained. "That's what my father's trying prevent."

"I wish I could have done more to stop Quaritch, but growing up he was basically the only family I had, he treated me like his own." Za'nara explained as a tear ran down her cheek.

"Hey, hey!" Lo'ak turned to her after he noticed the tears falling from her eyes. "Don't cry, It's not your fault."

"Sometimes I just feel so broken beyond repair." Za'nara explained. "You make me feel sane."

Lo'ak placed a kiss on her cheek and pulled her head into his chest.

"Your not broken, your perfect." Lo'ak whispered in her ear.

"You can be so kind when you want to be." Za'nara laughed.

"Only you get to see me this vulnerable." Lo'ak replied.

"I'm one lucky girl." Za'nara joked.

Lo'ak smiled.

[ 3 days later ]

The Sully family were all cleaning up the hut when the sirens were sounded from the village.

"What's going on?" Za'nara asked Jake, looking to Lo'ak in confusion.

The family headed out of the hut to see the clan all diving into the water with excitement.

"The Tulkun have returned! Everybody, our brothers and sisters have returned!" Tsireya yelled to the clan, riding on her ilu alerting everyone.

"Guys come on!" Tsireya yelled to the Sully kids.

Lo'ak dove into the water on his ilu, Za'nara jumped inafter him, hopping on the back of his ilu and racing off after Tsireya.

The rest of the Sully family followed soon after.

It was time for the Tulkun to finally migrate back home, after their long journey. The clan were so happy as their family returned.

"It's my spirit sister!" Tsireya yelled and pointed as they raced towards the Tulkun.

Za'nara smiled as she saw the clan laughing and the Tulkun singing as they reunited with one another.

Neteyam swam past and smiled and laughed as the Tulkun flapped their fins and sung.

Za'nara dove down with Tsireya to meet her Spirit Sister. Lo'ak remained at the surface and watched.

*This is my friend, Za'nara* Tsireya signed to her Spirit sister.

*Hi!* Za'nara signed.

*It's nice to meet you!* The Tulkun whined.

They all smiled.

Jake and Neytiri swam past Ronal's spirit sister and her baby and smiled.

Lo'ak envied everyone with their Tulkun's and began to miss Payakan. He snuck away from everyone and headed towards the reef to see Payakan.