Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 24

Chapter 4

As the sky rumbles, calling for rain, a Metkayina boy runs through the dense forest bush. He's light on his feet, running his fingers along large leaves as he passes them.

He comes across a fallen tree, and dashes up to the top of it, jumping off at the end and onto a standing tree. Quickly, he scales it, and stands on one of its highest branches, looking up at the sky.

Rain drops begin to fall, and the boy jumps off the branch, grabbing onto a thick vine. Swiftly he swings over to another tree, jumping onto it, then hopping across its branches.

From branch to branch, and tree to tree, racing the heavy rains of the storm. As it falls harder, he moves faster.

Until he comes up to a wide space. Between the branch he's on, and the next tree.

He stands at the base of the branch, and prepares to take off. He takes a deep breath, then lunges forward. When he jumps off the end, he glides through the air, then reaches the next tree, but slips.

Before falling too far, he grabs another vine and swings around to the other side, landing on a sturdier branch.

He levels his breathing, then climbs to the top of the tree, looking up at the stormy skies.

It's blurred by heavy rain, but it's the closest thing he's felt to the ocean since they've lived in the forest.

He closes his eyes and relaxes as the water runs along his face. He's at peace, until someone calls for him from below.

His eyes open and he immediately looks down and sees his favorite blue boy climbing towards him.

Lo'ak- Damn you've gotten fast. It's like you're not even a fish boy.

Rotxo laughs, proud of how he's improved in the forest. Lo'ak wasn't intending to teach him to run and swing through trees this past week, but Rotxo sort of claimed his own way of preferred travel.

Lo'ak sits on a branch next to Rotxo, wiping the water from his eyes.

Lo'ak- Keep swinging through trees and you'll forget you're Metkayina.

Rotxo- Nah, I'll always be one with the ocean.

Lo'ak smiles at the smaller boy while he stares out the storm clouds. He finds himself staring at him again, his heartbeat quickening slightly.

He shakes his head, then taps Rotxo's arm.

Lo'ak- Come on, the others are probably waiting for us.

Rotxo nods, then both boys head back to the clearing.

It's been just over a week, and during the first few days, Jake Sully and some warriors located the base of the raiding sky people. A large ship that has recently appeared just off the reef of their abandoned village.

Since then, Jake and Tonowari have been preparing the warriors for a confrontation.

Jake gave the idea to Tonowari that his children should teach the Metkayina kids the ways of the Omaticaya, as thanks, and to also keep them occupied and out of trouble while they handle the sky people.