maybe one day ~neteyam sully

twelve

The smell of breakfast wafted throughout high camp thickly, everyone seeming to follow the trail of the smell. Akina silently shuffled along, her ears lowered to her head as she found her place in line for her plate. She had forced herself to wake up early this morning, hoping to be able to see the Sullys before the ceremony at the Tree of Souls.

The girl dreaded going back to the Tree so soon after Antus burial, but there was no question of her going to see her second family off on the next chapter of their life. She had to admit, part of her desired to go with them. It would allow her to see the beautiful planet that the Great Mother made, not to mention she wouldnt be separated from her best friend. But the other part of her, the bigger part, knew she wouldnt be able to leave her mother. There was no chance of it. She would not leave her mother completely alone.

Akina was suddenly pulled out of her thoughts as somebody tackled her legs, her heart aching at the familiar feeling of the tiny arms on her skin. She looked down, a small part of her hoping to find Antu attached to her.

"Tuk Tuk." Akina spoke gently once she recognized the youngest Sully, leaning down and picking her up with ease. The small girl clung around Akinas neck tightly, the older girl hugging her back just as tight.

"I do not want to go." Tuk quietly admitted, Akina frowning at her words.

"I do not want you to go either, Tuk. But you will be safe, and that is what matters. You will keep your promise, yes?" Akina whispered back, her eyes landing on the rest of the Sullys making their way over to her and Tuk. She could feel the small girl nod her head against her neck, placing a soft kiss on the girls forehead.

Once the rest of the Sully kids joined her, she was at the front of the line to receive her breakfast. She had set Tuk down so they could both get their plates, the small group heading to a spot large enough for all of them.

Akinas sides were immediately taken by Lo'ak and Kiri once she had sit down, Neteyam sending a growl to his siblings. The two younger ones simply stuck their tongues out at their older brother, causing Akina to let out a small laugh.

"Bro, you had all day with her yesterday. Sharing is caring." Lo'ak stated, digging into his breakfast despite his sad tone. The three of them failed to see the anger that flashed in Neteyams eyes at Lo'aks last sentence, the eldest Sully snapping in his baby brothers direction before sitting next to Kiri.

The group was sat in a small circle, so Neteyam could still reach Akina if he reached out. Everybody stayed silent as Neteyam stretched out his leg, pressing his leg against Akinas whose legs were also stretched out. The girl smiled at her best friend at the action, shaking her head slightly as she ate her food.

"So who is to become the next Olo'eyktan?" Akina asked gently. Kiri was the one who spoke first, despite how depressed she looked to be leaving her home.

"Tarsem. His mate is not a healer, though, so our grandmother will remain Tsahik until the next Olo'eyktan and Tsahik are chosen." Akina nodded at Kiris words, biting into one of the fruits she had on her plate. "Although, i heard that they are all thinking of the same person for the next tsakarem. Apparently, she is at the age where the training can now be started."

Akinas eyebrows raised at the new information, her full attention on Kiri despite the warmth that radiated from her leg. She nudged Kiri to continue on, but the girl simply shook her head, shrugging.

"That is all i know!"

~

After breakfast, the clan had begun making their way to the Tree of Souls. The Sully kids and Akina hung back at high camp for a moment, getting their final hugs in knowing they wouldnt get the chance to at the end of the ceremony.