Another Chance |Ao'nung x Neteyam|

Chapter 22: Sa'nok

There is no movement from the sky people for the next handful of days; Neytiri stalks along the pathways, rage bubbling inside of her. Her thoughts are occupied by Neteyam and the circumstances of his mating.

She had been purposely avoiding the Tsahik, her anger too great for civilised conversation. She is certain Ronal's actions hurt her more than they hurt her son; she had always been more prone to emotion.

As Neytiri walks along the bouncy walkways, she chews on the inside of her lip, fangs worrying the flesh until it is almost raw.

Ronal walks into view, carrying a small basket of herbs, on the way, likely to visit one of the inured warriors.

Neytiri hisses quietly and stomps over to her, grabbing her by the upper arm, uncaring that she is Tsahik and Neytiri is not.

Ronal freezes, eyes wide and brows furrowed as she turns to face Neytiri; when she realises who is holding onto her, she inhales sharply, face carefully disguising anything she might be feeling.

"You!" Neytiri growls low in her voice, but her words are quiet despite the fury eating away at her heart.

She knows there isn't much she can do; Ronal is Tsahik, Neytiri is not. However, she will protect her son's honor even with her own life if she has to.

"How dare you trick my son?" Her lips pull back into a furious sneer.

Ronal's chest bubbles in mild fear. "It had to be done. The people were restless."

"The people do not understand the way of the leaders!" Neytiri snaps, agitated beyond belief. She never lets go of Ronal's arm, fingertips paling from the strength of her grip.

Ronal grips her basket, lips pursed. "Which is why I did what I did. I had to prove to them our alliance is certain."

Neytiri is not impressed. She knows the cruelty of sky people very well. They had taken so much from her. "You are no better than those demons."

Ronal inhales sharply. "What I did cannot be compared to their actions."

Neytiri takes a deep breath to calm herself. "You tricked my son. You're a liar. True na'vi don't lie."

"What is done is done," Ronal hisses, yanking her arm free. "I cannot turn back the time."

Neytiri hisses back, louder and jabs a finger into Ronal's shoulder roughly. "You dishonored our agreement. Neteyam shouldn't be here. It is his choice that we do not withdraw from the alliance and that your actions are kept secret. You are very lucky he is kind."

Ronal doesn't say anything, jaw clenched and ears flattened back against her skull.

Neytiri waits a breath before lowering her hands to her side. "How could you do that to them?"

Ronal's lip twitches, confused.

"Your own son, too, you have tricked," Neytiri continues talking, shoulders sagging. She remembers the words she overheard Neteyam say to Ao'nung. "They both suffer from your actions."

Ronal bites the inside of her cheek, thumbnail scratching along the side of her basket. "The people needed to know that they could trust this alliance."

Neytiri hisses, bouncing on her feet once, cheeks flushing in fury. "This is a mere excuse!"

Ronal opens her mouth to say something, but falls silent, eyes trailing to a figure standing behind Neytiri, silently watching them.

Neytiri turns around, brows furrowed before they land on the young woman.

Kitsme purses her lips, eyes full of betrayal as she stares at the Tsahik. She had been helping Ronal tend to the wounded relentlessly since she was granted shelter.