The Breath of Water | Neteyam

83 • Memento

A/N: I had noticed that for ch. 81 Comfort, no notif was released, so I'm just putting this here to say that if you didn't read it, you should!

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"What do you think?" Neteyam asked Liyanin. They had a break today from making food since Aonung was better. He and Peya offered to take over for a while, so now Liyanin and Neteyam were in their pod lying together, relaxing for the first time in weeks. Neteyam had sketched out a drawing of Liyanin using some materials he'd gotten from his dad. She rolled over, her head pushing his head a bit over as she settled.

It was raining outside today, so thunder was present and loud.

"Ma Eywa, you've managed to capture my likeness...!" she expressed, her mouth wide. She took the parchment into her hand, looking at it closely. "...is there anything you are not good at?"

"I cannot sculpt all that well, you should see my past failed ceramics." He mentioned, tickling her neck with kisses. She giggled loudly, eventually dropping the drawing. He then stopped, looking down at her.

"...I heard that Peya and Aonung have mated." He murmured naughtily, kissing her lips. "...which means that you might become a semuke (aunt(paternal)) soon..." another kiss.

She giggled, caressing the back of his head. They continued kissing, Neteyam after some time found his way on top of her, their kiss deepening.

They would've gone further if it weren't for a big thunderclap scaring the both of them, making them jump. When they realized what happened, they began to laugh, leaning in for another kiss.

But someone interrupted them.

The door's sleeve was suddenly cast aside, causing the lovers to jerk in shock like a couple of deers caught in headlights.

"Oh, Ma tsakarem, I am so sorry for the intrusion...!" a female villager said, averting her eyes away from the two as they sat up, making themselves look more presentable.

"...you...must have a reason for barging in like this, Rämìia. What is wrong?" Liyanin asked, now walking over to the entrance, folding her arms.

"...the...it is your parents...they...they are..."

Her ears twitched, her mind instantly being overrun with concern. Neteyam soon walked up behind her, his hand leaning on the doorway.

"What happened??" she repeated.

"I am not sure but, it seemed heated...her cries...they were horrible!"

The rain hit their faces as they listened to her explain the situation, Neteyam's mouth pursed and his jaw clenched while Liyanin's stayed agape in disbelief.

They soon made their way over to the leaders' pod, seeing the interior already since the sleeve was open. Liyanin could hear the cries of a woman coming from inside, her heart wrenching at the sound. When they entered, they saw Tonowari crouched over his mate, rubbing her shoulders. Ronal was wailing uncontrollably, her hand over her heart.

"Mother...?" Liyanin uttered with a shaky voice. Ronal turned to face her, her tears not stopping their flow. Tonowari looked up at his daughter, a scowl on his face. Liyanin walked over to Ronal, dropping to her knees to see her better. "...Mother, what is wrong? Why are you crying like this...?"

"They...they...they killed Ro'a...!"

A sudden chill entered the room.

"...and her baby!" Ronal continued, unable to hold her tears back. Tonowari had to look up towards the ceiling, breathing heavily through his nose. Neteyam could only stand there in shock, not able to move.