Celestial Love (Tsutey x OC)

Chapter 9

Mornings for Karina were now a routine of waking up early to join Grace and Norm with their data analysis of different plant cells for an hour, then linking up after a quick meal to join Syura'ewan in his morning patrol of the Omaticaya borders.

After adapting to more fluid movements, keeping up with the Na'vi during their hunts was no longer a task. She maintained a slightly crouched position to engage all her muscles as she moved. It allowed her to distribute her body weight evenly and keep her footsteps quiet like theirs.

While passing by the training grounds, Karina saw Jake's arrow miss the target earning a whack from Neytiri. This made her giggle as they approached them.

"Ow- I'd like to see you try then, Riri". Jake taunted as he nursed his arm.

Karina glanced toward her teacher, silently asking for his permission. 

After giving her a brief nod, Syura'ewan stood beside Neytiri.

Both mentors looked over curiously as Karina took the bow and arrow from Jake with a confident smile.

She studied the bow's dimensions and weight. Despite being a training bow, it was significantly longer than an average hunting bow on Earth. Ideal for a long-range target.

Karina adjusted her feet apart and lightly wrapped her fingers around the front of the bow, grasping it gently. Altering her finger placement until it felt more natural before loading her arrow.

Her back muscles stretched as she pulled her elbow outward, drawing the string back. It touched her nose and lips while her right index finger rested on her chin to lock in her aim.

Eyeing the center of the target, She took deep breaths to calm her heartbeat. Feeling her muscles relax, Karina released the string smoothly while maintaining her form.

The arrow flew swiftly and landed dead center on the target.

"Damn". Jake's eyes were wide as she handed him back his training bow. 

Syura'ewan smirked at Neytiri feeling proud of his student's performance.

Karina did not expect a crowd when she turned around. Tsu'tey and his students speculated behind her teacher.

"This Tawtute must think she could handle a warrior's bow after a lucky shot with a training one". He peered at his students as he jabbed at Karina.

He was challenging her yet again. 

This time Karina was tired of his snarky comments. She advanced towards him, looking up to meet his gaze.

Their height difference did not help her cause since he easily towered over her.

"You don't even know me". Karina refused to back down.

Syura'ewan was about to step in when Tsu'tey blocked him with his arm. "Who does? You say you are a healer, yet move like you are ready to kill". He scoffed as he felt the intensity of her stare. "How deceitful. That is no surprise coming from a sky person". 

Jake could not understand a word he said, but the sudden tension in the air was enough to hint that there was hatred in Tsu'tey's words as they sounded more personal now. 

For years Karina mastered the art of repressing her emotions. It was a coping mechanism that allowed her to perform well despite a highly pressured situation. 

To hear somebody use it against her negatively threatened her emotions to seep through.

Karina's breaths were heavier as she tried hard to stay composed.