Still Breathing

Chapter 33. Stay Alive

"Does the wolf apologize when he stands on top?" ~ Hidden Citizen

Jake and the Metkayina siblings were returning to the high camp after being gone for nearly two weeks, traveling all over the forest to recruit the different clans and check in on the Metkayina.

Horns sounding off in the distance alerted everyone of the return of Jake Sully and all of his new clans. Luckily for them, the high camp was large enough to fit all of them.

Not only were there 15 forest clans, there was five Reef clans prepared to fight the waterfront of Hell's Gate, and 20 Ash clans thanks to Varang. Leaving them with nearly 20,000 warriors to fight alongside them.

As soon as the horn could be heard, all of the Sully's ran towards the entrance being met by their father, Aonung, Tsireya, and thousands upon thousands of warriors.

"Dad!" Tuk shouted, instantly running into her fathers arms. Jake caught his youngest, holding her close as he told her how much he missed her. Kiri and Lo'ak walked up next as their father pulled them into a hug and held onto them tight.

Erica was next to approach her father as the two of them shared a tight embrace. "How was the trip?" He asked as he pulled away from her.

Erica shrugged, a small smirk painted her face. "Uneventful."

Jake could sense the sarcasm his daughter was using as he ruffled her hair, the two of them laughing before she made her way over to Aonung and pulling him in for a hug.

"How was home?" Lo'ak asked Tsireya as the two of them stared at each other for a moment. Tsireya opened her mouth to answer but quickly shut it as she stared at Lo'ak and his bright yellow eyes. The entire trip she'd been debating what she should do about her situation with Lo'ak.

She spoke to her mother about it who was surprisingly understanding about the whole situation. She told her daughter that she would know when the time was right to make her move.

But now she knew. She didn't want to wait anymore.

Quickly, the Metkayina girl grabbed Lo'ak by his shoulders and pulled him in for a kiss, their lips clashing together. Shocked at first, Lo'ak's eyes widened before they fully closed as he cupped her cheeks with her hand.

All of the Sully's and Spider were watching with their jaws practically on the floor, Erica smacking Aonung's shoulder out of pure shock and excitement. As soon as the two of them pulled away from their kiss, Tsireya and Lo'ak were wearing wide smiles.

"Nga yawne lu oer, Lo'ak." Tsireya smiled as she placed her hand over top of Lo'ak's heart.

The boy smiled, returning the gesture as he cupped her cheek with his other hand. "Nga yawne lu oer, Tsireya."

Suddenly, the entire Sully family begun to cheer for the two of them. Nearly forgetting that there were others around them, the two of them jumped slightly at the sound before rolling their eyes, smiles constantly plastered on their faces.

As Erica and Kiri ran up to Tsireya, pulling her into a hug and congratulating the two of them, Lo'ak and Aonung shook hands before Aonung pulled him closer and begun to whisper in his ear. "If you hurt my sister, I will send you to Eywa myself."

"Noted." Lo'ak nodded in understanding, knowing what it felt like to want to keep his sister safe. The two boys smiled at each other before Aonung patted Lo'ak's back in congratulations before throwing him in a headlock and ruffling his hear.

"Hey, not cool bro!" Lo'ak shouted to which Aonung just shrugged, stating that if they were to become family someday this is what he'd have to deal with.