Calm Before The Storm, Jake Sully

034, Have To Go.

♯┆calm before the storm  .ᐟ
━━━━━━━━━━

     This topic should never be a part of a conversation. Leave the forest? A home she knew. A home her children knew. The only thing she knew. Her skills most useful within the forest— nowhere else. And he wanted them to leave? Denahi was struggling to process the information. She killed Quaritch. Pierced his skin twice with an arrow. She killed Quaritch. He was supposed to be gone, supposed to not be a threat anymore.

And now he is back. And stronger than ever. "We cannot leave..." Was all she could muster the strength to mention. Jake couldn't understand. Denahi had more to the forest than he ever would. He adapted to the forest, he was trained to adapt. But, Denahi, she was born and raised there.

"This is our home! It is where my parents are buried... and Kata. We cannot leave. I will not leave!" He dropped his ears as Denahi continued to speak. He watched her fingers fidget with her other hand, she was nervous. Scared because of the future. "He's hunting us. He's targeting our family," Jake responded, wanting Denahi to understand.

And then she looked up at him. No. Quaritch wasn't targeting them. "He is not targeting us. He is hunting you. I will not allow that, but we cannot leave the forest, Ma'Jake. It is all I have— all we have," Jake looked down towards the ground. He knew that. However, hearing the truth from Denahi's mouth made it more confirming than before. It is his fault.

"He had our children. He had them under his knife..." Jake mentioned before Denahi gasped at the sound of that.

But, leaving the forest would mean leaving everything. From her skills to the memories with Mukata and her parents. Their voices. How could she connect and see them again in another place? A place they weren't buried.

"I am afraid I will never see them again..." Her voice was more weak. She was giving up. Denahi's ears fall fallen down, sadness contorting her expression. Jake placed his palm onto her shoulder, the other pressed on her stomach reminding her of their new family member, "I got nothing. I got no plan. But, I can protect this family. That I can do."

She knew that. She understood that. Although, he didn't want to understand, she did. He was doing this to keep them safe. Their entire family safe.

"I know one thing— Wherever we go... this family is our fortress," And Jake was right. This family will be their weaknesses and their greatest strengths. "Ma'Jake..." The defeat clear within Denahi's voice. Jake didn't spare time before pressing his lips to her forehead, bringing her in for a warm hug.

A sigh escaped her mouth, allowing the comfort to consume her. "Momma?" Malhua approached from behind the hut's makeshift entrance. Her little eyebrows curled up in concern at her mom's saddened face.

"It is okay, little one," Denahi smiled down at her daughter, holding her hand out.