𝖲𝗍𝗋𝗈𝗇𝗀 𝖧𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍

𝗇𝗂𝗇𝖾

      

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞

༄𓆉︎♫︎☀︎︎❦︎☀︎︎♫︎𓆉︎༄

      TU’AHU AND NEYTIRI SAT IN THEIR TENT, NEYTIRI KNEELING ABOVE HER DAUGHTER. The mother was re-doing Tu’ahu’s braids, had been for the past two hours. The four other Sully children were out and about, and Jake was with Tonowari, checking on the ikrans. “Sit still, Tu’ahu.” Neytiri chastised, pulling Tu’ahu’s head back.

      “I’m trying, but you’re ripping out my hair, Mother.” Tu’ahu grumbled, wincing as Neytiri tightly braided a piece of her daughter’s hair.

      Neytiri rolled her eyes as she got to the bottom of one of the braids. “Whine, whine, whine. Give me some beads, please.” she held her hand out, and Tu’ahu gave her mother a string of the beads she and Tuk made.

      A few minutes later, the last person Tu’ahu expected to see walked into the tent. “Hi.” Aonung said awkwardly, not expecting Neytiri to be there. Tu’ahu almost laughed at the way he stood there, not knowing where to go.

      Tu’ahu turned her head behind her to look at him. “Hey! Don’t move your head.” Neytiri scolded, pulling Tu’ahu back by her braids.

      “Ow, Ma!” Tu’ahu cried, and Aonung chuckled to himself. Tu’ahu didn’t know why Aonung was here in her tent, especially when she hadn’t told any of her family members about them. Whatever them was. “You can come over here, Aonung.” Tu’ahu said, wanting to talk to him face-to-face.

      Aonung stepped around the Sully women, settling in front of Tu’ahu. Neytiri narrowed her eyes at the Metkayina boy, adding another strand of beads to her daughter’s hair. “What’s going on?” Tu’ahu asked, fixing her beaded necklace around her neck.

      “I, uh… just wanted to say hi, but you’re busy.” Aonung stammered, avoiding both Tu’ahu and Neytiri’s eyes.

      Tu’ahu frowned, not looking forward to the conversation Neytiri would have with her when Aonung left. Plus, she wanted to talk to him. “No, you can stay,” Tu’ahu smiled, getting her head jerked back by Neytiri. “Ma!” Tu’ahu shouted, hand going to her head.

      “Fnu, daughter.” (quiet) Neytiri said, stringing another braid.

      Tu’ahu rolled her eyes, and Aonung smiled. “How are you?” the boy asked nervously.

      “Good.” Tu’ahu responded, looking down slightly.

      Neytiri paused, staring at Aonung. “I’m confused. I thought you two hated each other.” she said, pointing between Tu’ahu and Aonung.

      “Mother.” Tu’ahu sighed, closing her eyes.

      “You told your brothers and I that you would rather drown yourself than ever be friends with him.” Neytiri said, and Tu’ahu froze, remembering the conversation.

      Aonung didn’t look offended in the slightest, knowing he had said similar things to Tsireya. “You actually said that?” he almost laughed.

      Tu’ahu narrowed her bright eyes at him. “You had just left Lo’ak alone in the middle of the ocean. It was an acceptable statement at the time.” she reasoned, taking some beads and string from the bowl in front of her, starting to make another strand for her hair.