The Stars in Your Skin

CHAPTER FIVE

Neteyam grabs his bow and arrow bidding Tuk and Kiri goodbye before he and his younger brother head out towards the training grounds.  He takes a brief moment to savor the morning sun rays bathing the glade in golden hues and village bustling with Na'vi beginning their day. “Bro hurry up, I don't want to get paired up with  Tsanyu again.”

He falls in step with his younger brother, tousling his braids playfully.  “Tsanyu is your senior and a skilled tracker and hunter.”

As expected his brother gives an exaggerated eye roll.  “He also doesn’t know what a sense of humor is.” 

Neteyam greets everyone he passes by including children on their way to the storyteller’s hut. He watches them go with a smile.  So carefree those little ones.

“Bro come on,” Lo'ak urges impatiently.

He resumes his journey with his brother.  “Would you rather get paired up with Rayka?” He grins mischievously at his little brother.  It was hard to believe she and Naawri were related.  Rayka was absurdly tall, standing eye level with several male Na’vi, weirdly strong, and a fierce hunter. She was also a vicious fighter and many hunters, young and veteran, avoided sparring with her. 

His brother looks away although his tail twitches.  “Are you kidding? She scares the crap out of me.” He pauses, thinking.  “But like in a weird way. Like sometimes I don’t even know if it’s fear or something else.”

He gives his brother a look before tousling his braids again. “Does my little brother like older women that could snap him in half?” He only grins when his brother hisses at him.

“I told you she scares me. And besides if I were would I have any other choice?  All the girls our age are swooning over you.”

He squirms at the thought and his female troubles.  He's been given enough nectar cakes to almost turn him against them.  “I really don't need the reminder.”

They finally arrive at the training grounds and he finds Ha’ew who he’d made plans with the day before.  He greets the hunter but notices his eyes are elsewhere.  He follows his gaze and sees his father talking to Maruhi, a hunter that had fought in the war with the Sky People.

“Neteyam,” his father beckons.  He walks over, greeting Maruhi respectfully.

“I’d like for you to hunt with Sateya today.  You know her right?”

Who didn’t know her?  All of the young Na’vi men fawned over her. But that was as far as his knowledge of her went.  “I know her, but I already made plans with Ha’ew for the day.”’

A strange expression flickers over his father's face before he calls Ha’ew over. “You don’t mind if Neteyam pairs up with Sateya for the day do you?”

“No sir.”  He shrugs.  “I'll find another partner no problem.”

Neteyam can't shake the spire of suspicion that ripples through him.  “Then I will gladly hunt with her.”

Her father beckons her over and they are officially introduced.  She’s even prettier up close, physically proportionate in every way as if molded by the hands of an artist, but he would rather hunt with someone he has a rapport with.  However his father asked this of him so he obeys.

They fly to their hunting grounds on their ikran.  The Hunt is uneventful and they return with quarry worthy of the firepit. After dropping off their kills for butchering they decide to part ways.  “I enjoyed hunting with you Neteyam.” She flashes him a genuine smile.

“Me too.” He gives her a polite smile.

“We should do it again some time.”

He refrains from stepping back when she steps closer pinning him with a sultry look that makes heat prickle along his cheeks .  “Sure.” He clears his throat.  “See you later.” He steps back and heads home.  He takes his usual detours, helping those he can, before he reaches their home. Before he enters he’s waylaid by Lo’ak and Ha’ew. Were they lying in wait for him?  They instantly start interrogating him about his Day Hunt with Sateya.