𝖲𝗍𝗋𝗈𝗇𝗀 𝖧𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍

𝖾𝗉𝗂𝗅𝗈𝗀𝗎𝖾

𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

༄𓆉︎♫︎☀︎︎❦︎☀︎︎♫︎𓆉︎༄

𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫

      IT HAD TAKEN ALL OF TWO MONTHS FOR TU’AHU’S STUMP TO HEAL ENOUGH FOR HER TO GO IN THE WATER. Aonung, Tsireya and Rotxo, as well as Spider, Lo’ak, Tuk and Kiri had refrained from swimming as much as they could, not wanting to make Tu’ahu feel bad.

      Ronal had looked over Tu’ahu’s stump, and noted that it was healed and could endure the salt water. The mark from the knife had healed, and you could barely tell it had been burned. Tu’ahu was very excited to swim, as she was bored from sitting in the tent all day.

      Jake gently grabbed onto Tu’ahu’s arm before she left the tent with Spider, her brother and sisters. “Be careful, okay? If you can’t swim right away, that’s fine. It’ll take time.” he said, standing beside his wife.

      Tu’ahu nodded. “I’ll be careful. Promise.” she said, walking out of the tent. She met Lo’ak, Spider, Kiri and Tuk at the end of the dock, the five of them waiting for the Reef Children.

      “Are you excited?” Kiri asked, though she knew none of the four Sully kids got excited about anything anymore. It had been two months since Neteyam’s death, but they felt his absence every day. Tu’ahu hid it the best, though. 

      Tu’ahu shrugged. “I’ve just been bored.” was all she said, sitting down on the dock beside Tuk.

      The Reef Children swam over a few minutes later, ilu near them. Kiri, Tuk, Spider and Lo’ak dived into the water. Kiri, Tuk and Spider swam over to Rotxo and Lo’ak went to Tsireya. Aonung swam over to where Tu’ahu sat on the dock, feet in the water.

      “Are you nervous?” Aonung asked, putting his elbows on the edge of the dock, trying to read Tu’ahu’s neutral expression.

      She nodded after a minute. “A little bit.” she admitted, avoiding Aonung’s eyes.

      Aonung put a hand on her leg, trying not to glance at her stump. He knew she hated it. “That’s okay. I’m right here.” he promised, and Tu’ahu looked up at him.

      “I know.” she noticed everyone waiting for her and Aonung, and used her hand to slide herself into the water, Aonung holding her waist to help her float.

      It was difficult for Tu’ahu to suspend herself in the water, and Lo’ak and Aonung both swam over to help her if she needed it. “I’m fine,” she told them. “Just let me do it.”

      They all inhaled and dove down into the water, and Tu’ahu smiled. She had missed this. Tu’ahu swam after Lo’ak, Spider and Kiri, Tsireya and Rotxo, Aonung and Tuk on her sides. Aonung kept his eyes on Tu’ahu at all times, watching her struggle to move fast in the water.

      Tu’ahu groaned in frustration, kicking up to the surface, Tuk beside her. Tuk reached up to wipe away Tu’ahu’s dark hair from her face, the rest of it flowing freely behind her back. “Thanks, Tuk.” Tu’ahu said as everyone else emerged.

      “Are you okay, sis?” Lo’ak asked, swimming over to her. He pulled her arm around his shoulder, helping her stay above the water.

      “I’m fine, I’m just annoyed.” she said, looking away from everyone.

      Tsireya frowned. “Why don’t we swim on ilu? That might be easier for you.” she suggested, and Rotxo called the ilu over to the group.

      Aonung took Tu’ahu from Lo’ak, pulling her to an ilu. “Do you want to ride by yourself, or with me?” he asked as Tu’ahu stroked the ilu’s neck.