maybe one day ~neteyam sully

ten

High camp was filled with a mournful silence as the entire clan helped in any way they could. Akina was woken to the gentle hands of Kiri instead of Neteyams callused ones, due to having to get ready for the burial ceremony.

Neytiri had also joined Kiri, Akina spotting her standing outside the tent nervously. The young girl thanked Kiri for waking her before forcing herself to stand, making her way to the entrance and meeting the older womans eyes. Neytiri stared at the young girl, pain, guilt, and appreciation swirling in her eyes. Akina simply held her hand out, Neytiri taking it silently and allowing her to pull her inside.

Akina knew Neytiri was there to help prepare her mother, the two older women silently staring at each other as Kiri made her way to stand next to the young girl. The girls hands found each others, Kiris extra finger wrapping around Akinas hand and giving her some extra comfort. The young girls watched as Akinas mother took a small step forward, which in turn caused Neytiri to jump on the woman in a tight hug. The two fell to their knees as they embraced, tears slipping silently down their cheeks as their hug spoke everything they had wished to say. The young girls were beckoned into the hug a few moments later, Neytiri placing a soft kiss on Akinas forehead as her long arms wrapped around the young girl.

~

When Akinas mothers voice failed her in singing Antus short song cord, Neytiri gently took over as she painted the white stripe down the older womans nose. Kiri carefully painted the black down Akinas face, having to stop and wipe away a few tears from Akinas cheeks before repainting her skin. The young girl forced her eyes closed to stop the tears from escaping, praying to Eywa to make the paint dry faster.

"All done." Kiri whispered to Akina, causing her to let out a slow exhale as she opened her eyes. The tears she knew would fall quickly rolled down the dry paint, Kiris fingers already poised to gently pat them dry. Akinas ears twitched as she heard Neytiri say the same thing to her mother, her eyes meeting her mothers and trailing over her white and painted face. Both of them sent a gentle nod to the other, their faces both matted down from the paint yet shiny from the wetness of their tears.

Mo'at almost silently stepped into the tent, placing a gentle hand on Akinas shoulder which caused the girl to look up. "May i steal your mother now? It is time for Antu to be cleansed." The elder spoke in the softest voice Akina had ever heard, the young girl nodding slowly as she looked back over to her mother. She watched as her mothers face crinkled into itself as she fought the sobs, Neytiri helping her stand before Mo'at gently took her.

Neytiri, Kiri, and Akina stayed silent in the tent, Kiri still busying herself with trying to find something for Akina to wear. Neytiri swiftly made her way to the young girl staring at the wall once more, her arm gently wrapping around her shoulder. Akina could feel Neytiris tail gently patting along her lower back, the tuft of fur on the end causing goosebumps to raise on her skin.

"Akina, I-" Neytiri started, causing Akina to meet her eyes rather swiftly which caught the older woman off guard. She watched as Neytiri swallowed, her hand raising to cup the young girls cheek. "I need you to know that i will forever treasure the sacrifice your brother made. I always have thought of you two as my own, and i will always thank Eywa for you. If there is anything, anything you ever need, please know i am here. I see you, Akina. And i see Antu."

The young girl allowed the older to gently pull her head into her shoulder, tears rolling down Akinas face at a rapid pace. Quiet sobs escaped from her lips, Neytiri gently humming as she rocked Akina. The young girls ears twitched as Kiri gently laid out an outfit, not even bothering to look it over and trusting the girls judgement. Eywa knows Akina would burn the clothing after the ceremony, anyway.

~

The Tree of Souls stood proud, the Omaticayas most sacred place. Akina slowly walked through the People, her eyes focused on the ground to avoid stepping on tails. Her hand was tightly wrapped in her mothers, her mind pulling her to the last time her and her mother walked this path.