Avatar 2-Why me?

7

Neteyam

So, I broke another rule.

The first one was during battle, when me and Lo'ak were spotters, but went to the battlefield. That was all Lo'ak's fault.

This rule, though, was mine. Ngiryu is the only good part about leaving the forest. If we haven't left, I wouldn't have known that she existed.

So, I feel that it wasn't fair that I could only see her for a few seconds a day. I guess that's what caused me to break a rule.

At least Kiri, Tuk, and Lo'ak won't tell Mother and Father. They were too surprised to tell.

Aonung, on the other hand, might, but I don't know yet.

I went back to practice, just in time to practice to ride ilus. As usual, me and Lo'ak fall off, but, for some reason, Kiri and Tuk stay on.

I'll ask Ngiryu for some help later.

I knew that that was an obvious excuse to be with Ngiryu again, but I can't help it.

It's like she's a magnet. I just need to be near her.

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After practice, I find Ngiryu on a rock, sitting down and watching the fish being caught in various nets. I sneak up behind her, and close my hands around her eyes. "Guess who-"

Before I could finish, she grabbed my arms, flipped me into the water, and landed onto me. "Neteyam?" she said after seeing my face.

"When did you learn to do that?" I asked, stunned by her defense moves.

"Self-taught." she said. "Let's just say, in the beginning, I was considered a freak."

"Join the club." I said, smiling.

Just then, we both noticed how close our faces were to each other. I noticed how beautiful her face was up close. Smooth skin and a kind but strong expression.

I lifted my hand, without thinking, and placed it on her hair. Messy, but soft.

Just then, she jerked up, shaking my hand away, and stepped off me. "Thanks." I said, pretending that nothing had happened.

After getting up, I stated my need to her. "I know that you need help." she said. "I have seen you getting thrown off your ilu too many times to count."

She called an ilu, and got me on it. "Make the bond gently." she said. "Give her love and feel her."

I took a minute to do that, then took off riding. Soon, I went under, then came up with out the ilu, once again.

As I swam back to Ngiryu, she said "You and the ilu needs to be one when riding. Think the same, feel the same, ride the same."

I tried again, and tried to mash my feelings and brain with the ilu. This time, it worked.

"Thank you Ngiryu." I said, riding the ilu back to her.

"No problem." she said. "Honestly, I'm surprised that it worked."

I laughed, then gazed at her face. She, truly, is beautiful.

"Neteyam!" a voice called.

"I need to go." I said. I put my hand on her cheek, and thanked her one more time. Then, I took off, something strong building up inside of me.