[LOOK AT ME] Nᴇᴛᴇʏᴀᴍ.S ˣ ᵐᵃˡᵉ ʳᵉᵃᵈᵉʳ

[Acknowledgement]

"Where exactly are we going?" Kiri asked, curiosity written all over her face as she turned to Tsireya - the instigator of this surprise trip.

Tsireya just smiled brighter and lead the Sully's deeper into the ocean. This place was familiar to Neteyam, of course it was. He was just here the day before.

You take that moment to move closer to him, lowering your voice so only he could hear.

"Act surprised when we get there." You mutter, not daring to take your eyes off Tsireya's back in case the girl were to turn around and spot you whispering to Neteyam.

He wordlessly nods.

"Tsireya wants this to be a surprise-" You shrug, "-After everything that's been going on, she thinks everyone needs a little break." This was known to be one of the most calming scenery at the reef. Something about this place just brought your people at ease.

"I'll try." Neteyam says with his own little shrug as he tries to stay focused and keep his eyes ahead of him. You're at his side, a little ways back and Neteyam silently prides himself for not jumping out of his skin when you lean in closer.

"Good." 

Neteyam almost freezes and he concludes the reason being that you're normally not the instigator these interactions. At least you don't make it out to be your doing.

"It's our most sacred place." Tsireya offers with a smile as she beckons the rest to follow her underwater. You pause your little conversation with  Neteyam when she speaks up. Giving him one last glance, you swim to the front of the group where Tsireya most likely expects you to be. 

Your group end up where Tsireya planned shortly after taking a plunge into the water. The interior was similar to a large cave, so the Sully's could come up for air anytime they pleased. You could tell the girl had this in mind before brining the family here. She was far too considerate for her own good.

The siblings admired the spirit tree. It was much different from theirs, but somehow it still has its similarities. The group goes to create a bond with the spirit tree at Tsireya's encouragement and you try not to make it obvious as you slowly head back to be at Neteyam side once again. 

Despite Tsireya's words, you find Neteyam glancing over in your direction for an unknown reason until it clicked when you notice him holding a long strand of his hair. 

You knew he didn't need much assistance, but you nod your head to him as an 'okay' signal as you guide him closer, the palm of your hand pushing him forward by the small of his back. You almost want to put some distance between you incase someone saw, but you can't bring yourself to do so. Your touch is feather light on Neteyam, but it felt like you were holding him for dear life.

You wish to silently contemplate this thought in your mind, but the lights of the spiritual tree shine and flicker unnaturally the next moment. For a second you wholeheartedly believe it's your own imagination, but you knew yourself, you were never that dramatic when it came to your feelings.

So your gaze shifts around the room until they land on Kiri. She's shivering like she's caught a fever, but you knew full well that wasn't the case. Her other siblings were in panic and by this time Neteyam had disconnected from the tree when you had unknowingly brought him out.

Tsireya looks to you for help, so you take hold of Kiri under both arms and swim up to the surface. If the seizure didn't take her out, drowning will. Both aren't good options. 

Out of all the concerned faces, Roxto isn't one that comes to mind.

"Is she breathing?" He asks just as panicked as the rest. You don't thrive on giving him a sugar coated answer, but if it would get everyone off-

"I'm sure she is." You answer too calmly for a situation such as this as you carry Kiri's body to the shore. The adults could handle this. 

______

They could not handle it. You recall Neteyam's father calling for assistance, but they didn't do much to help Kiri. This was dragging out far too long and that leads you to where you currently are. Asking your mother.

"Are you actually going to help them?" You ask sceptically when your mother had angrily agreed to provide her aid.

"I have no choice." She replies bitterly, "None of their methods are working." 

After your mother arrived, she asks you to leave and you note her voice sounding gentler than usual when referring to you. Nodding, you leave without much delay. You did not want to be there in the first place, so it didn't trouble you much.

It's been sometime since then and you have no idea how the rest of the Sully family is doing. Not like you particularly cared for the majority of them, but you haven't seen Neteyam.

What was wrong with you? It's not like you two are friends or anything close to the term. It almost feels worrying that his younger brother wasn't making any trouble so far in. 

First Lo'ak goes missing now Kiri's in a place near death. Dear mother... you almost feel bad.

-------

Somehow you find yourself being pulled along by Tsireya. She was in a good mood it seemed, so you allow her to do so, wanting to see what the girl was on about.

"Kiri woke up." That's all Tsireya was willing to offer.

"I know that." You reply. "I'm asking you where are you taking me."  If Tsireya was this pressed on the matter, you're sure it's something you wouldn't be going if you knew her actual reason.

What you see in the distance makes you want to turn around and head back. Ao'nung, Roxto and Neteyam and his siblings were all waiting along the shore where your group first sat together some days- maybe even weeks ago.

That was where Lo'ak had stormed off and before Kiri had her seizure - both times very eventual.

Once you're close enough to see Kiri, you track your eyes over her entire body and when you don't notice anything off about her, you turn away.

Kiri must have noticed because she gives her own little eye roll at the unwanted attention she was receiving.

"You know-" She starts a little begrudgingly as she stubbornly folds her arms over her chest. "You could just ask."

She was referring to your actions of regarding her. Why couldn't you just ask if she was okay like everyone else had done? Like a normal person?

The answer is you wouldn't be caught dead doing something so...end of sentence.

Being found out was never a pleasant experience, "And why would I do that?" You ask.

Kiri doesn't respond, but your question was enough for her to confirm that you were actually checking to see if she was alright. It leaves a tingling feeling in her stomach to know these people did (at least) care some bit for what could happen to her and her family.

You both silently stare at one another. Though Kiri was more direct with hers while you only glance at her by shifting your gaze to the side to give the girl a once over.

This felt like an almost non existent acknowledgement between you. Now you really want to leave. You remind yourself not to trust your sister again.

"Seriously, what happened in there?" Roxto's concerned voice is out of the ordinary while you tune out the rest.

Again, you find yourself at Neteyam's side while he gave you a boyish grin. You have a moment of realization after that.

You don't want to leave just yet.

[The last part of this chapter wasn't edited, so please if there are any mistakes - tell me.^^]