Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 145

The many teens ride through the waves, with some showing off tricks. Tsireya makes sure to ride safely, since she has a passenger, but for Spider's sake, she doesn't cut out too much of the experience. The two remain on the surface more than everyone else, since Spider can't hold his breath for long.

He'll need to learn a lot to get on the same level as the others, but she can't wait to teach him everything he needs to know.

Lo'ak sticks close to Rotxo, purposely splashing him, and starting a little game as they chase each other and keep count of how many times one splashes the other. Soon most of the others join in, laughing and losing track of who splashed who. Kiri, Sorfé and Yune don't join in, but still find the sight amusing.

Ahead of the group, Neteyam looks back at the others, trying his hardest to do a head count and make sure nobody's missing.

Na'haji- It is pointless to try keeping track of them out here.

He looks to his right and sees Na'haji ride up to his side.

Neteyam- We shouldn't have brought so many people.

Na'haji- I believe that kind of worrying is exactly why they wanted to come. To leave that behind. You should do the same.

Neteyam- If no one has sense enough to at least be a little responsible, someone could get hurt or lost or-

Aonung- Stressed out.

Aonung comes up from his left, finishing off his sentence.

Aonung- You told me to think less, and I'm starting to feel like you could use a little less of that yourself. At least for the time being.

Na'haji- I agree.

Neteyam- I'll stop once we all make it there safely.

Na'haji- Somehow I was expecting you to say that.

Neteyam chuckles softly, then takes a breath before each of them dive under for a while, then resurface near each other. Aonung pulls ahead of them, and looks back at Neteyam with a smirk. He speeds up, attempting to pass Aonung, and the two end up racing each other.

Aonung believes he's winning, until Na'haji suddenly zooms past him, followed by Neteyam.

Soon, the three racers reach their destination. First arriving was Aonung, followed by Neteyam, with Na'haji in last. The oldest boy would've come in second, but Neteyam swam under him while he was going through a wave and passed him at the last minute.

Since the race started unexpectedly, there was no punishment decided for the loser, so the Paltu boy is left be.

They walk up onto the rocky shore together, realizing the others are a little behind, but they can still see them from where they stand.

Neteyam- You lucked out, Na'haji. Last time we had a race here, the loser had a penalty.

Na'haji- Better watch out next time then, I will not let you beat me so easily.

Neteyam- We'll see about that.

The last thing Neteyam thought would happen was him getting along with this boy he despised from the moment they met, but Na'haj has really been earning his second chance.

He turns and sees Aonung standing there silently, and for a moment he wonders why the look on his face is so strange, until he realizes, that night they were out here together is probably a lost memory to him.

Neteyam- You can't remember it, can you?

Aonung- No.

Neteyam- What about the first time we came here, and got stranded by a storm?

Aonung- Doesn't sound familiar at all.

Neteyam- (sighs) I'm sorry.

Aonung- Don't apologize for this, it wasn't your fault.

Aonung grabs his hand, and he holds it back softly.

Neteyam- I know, but I wish there was something I could do about it.

Aonung- It can't be helped, but we can just replace those memories with new ones.

Neteyam- Yeah, but there is one memory that I want you to at least know existed before covering it up with something else.

With his hold on Aonung's hand tightening, he turns back to Na'haji, who's watching the others reach the shore.

Neteyam- Hey, do me a favor and make sure they don't hurt themselves out here. Aonung and I will be back soon.

Na'haji observes their intertwined hands, and doesn't need a hint, so he nods and doesn't ask any questions.