Not the same

i see you

chapter 17

Lo'ak spent weeks sneaking off to see Payakan, only one person knew about it. Za'nara. She kept his secret as she cared deeply for him and didn't want to see him getting in any more trouble with Jake.

It was a normal day on the shore when Lo'ak decided to go see Payakan.

"What are you doing?" Za'nara asked as she approached Lo'ak.

"Going to see Payakan." Lo'ak replied. "Care to join me?"

"Of course I would, we just gotta be careful." Za'nara replied to Lo'aks question. "We should leave now."

"Exactly what I was thinking." Lo'ak said walking towards the water.

The two clapped their hands and called to their ilus and raced off to the reef.

They arrived at the reef and dove down to Payakan.

*Payakan please tell me, why are you outcast?* Lo'ak signed.

*Okay* Payakan replied.

Za'nara watched as Payakan opened his mouth and Lo'ak swam inside, she waited patiently outside as Payakan closed his mouth once Lo'ak was inside. After a few minutes Lo'ak returned from Payakan's mouth and he swam up to Payakan and sat on his fin apologising and hugging into him.

Za'nara swam over to them and sat on his fin aswell.

"What happened?" Za'nara asked.

"His story, is so much deeper than anyone truly knows." Lo'ak explained. "He doesn't deserve to be outcasted."

Za'nara leant in next to Lo'ak and hugged Payakan. Little did they know, they were being watched.

Only an hour later Za'nara and Lo'ak emerged from the shore laughing and enjoying their day, only to be greeted by an angry Toniwari and Ronal and a guilty Neteyam, Ao'nung and Tsireya.

"You two come with us, that's an order!" Toniwari spoke clearly to the two of them.

They turned to each other before following behind Toniwari and the rest of the kids. Knowing that they were both about to get in trouble for something.

They all walked in to the Olo'ekytan's hut and Ronal stormed in after.

"You allowed this!" Ronal yelled at Tsireya. "You allowed him to bond with the outcast!"

Tsireya frowned as she knew better than to talk back to her mother and hated when her parents were mad at her. Toniwari turned to her and she placed her head down.

"Tsireya." Toniwari spoke clearly which caused Tsireya to jump. "You disappoint me, daughter."

Those words cut deep in her heart and she allowed one tear to roll down her cheek as her Father's words hurt her. Lo'ak felt bad for Tsireya as he knows the pain of feeling like a disappointment.

"And you..." Toniwari announced, gesturing his arm out to Lo'ak. "Son of a great war leader, who has been taught better and Za'nara, you are a nice girl, why would you do something like this when you know it's forbidden?"

Right as Toniwari was lecturing them, Neytiri and Jake ran up behind them with a worried expression.

"Payakan saved my life sir, you don't know him." Lo'ak explained to Toniwari.

"No, Lo'ak." Tsireya whispered, as she knew going against her father would only lead to more trouble.

"I didn't let myself get manipulated, I wanted to." Za'nara made clear.

"Sit, both of you, sit." Toniwari gestured.

Toniwari, Lo'ak and Za'nara all sat down.

"SIT DOWN!" Toniwari yelled to the rest of the kids who were still standing around him. Pointing to the floor.