The Stars in Your Skin

CHAPTER 14

They haven't left yet. They can't. Many are wounded and some missing. So they take the time to tend to the injured. His father has all the Hunters work in shifts as sentries just in case Sky People come out this far. "Hey," his younger brother says once standing next to him on the branch of the massive tree. "I'm here to relieve you."

Neteyam swallows the groan of relief. He's been staring at the great black scar the humans had wrought upon Eywa'eveng for hours, and it had worn on him. He suppresses the mass of anger seething in his belly before turning to his baby brother. He ruffles his brother's braids with a hand chuckling when he jerks his head away.

"Man stop."

He straps his bow across his back. "Try not to get distracted," he jibes.

"Don't worry bro, I got this," this said with false bravado.

He gives his brother a fistbump before making his way to the ground with impeccable agility. He strides back to their makeshift camp, stopping once on the outskirts. The sight sends melancholy through him. Many of his people sit stunned, grieving over the senseless loss of life while others wait to be healed. His grandmother, mother, and younger sister set about healing the wounded and have been working tirelessly since then. His father meets with the elders while family friends care for Tuk.

He tries evading Sateya, searching the tribe for one person, but she tracks him down nonetheless. "There you are."

He almost curses his rotten luck, but forces a smile nonetheless. "Sateya, are you doing ok?"

She brightens a little at his question. "I'm ok, given the circumstances." He swallows when she leans over and wraps her arms around his.

His gaze drifts over the clan searching for Naawri. He'd bet Tsawke's saddle Naawri hasn't gotten her injury tended. She'll let it get infected if he doesn't check on her. Also, he just really wants to be in her soothing presence.

"That was really brave of you, going back into the forest to help everyone despite all the black stuff in the air. I was so worried."

He gives a shrug and pats her hand absently. "I'm fine." He spots Naawri aiding Eyvir's mate towards an empty spot.

"You're going to make such a great Olo'eyktan, because you love The People," she states proudly. "I will honored to be by your side Neteyam."

He looks down at her and the sharp sincerity shining in her eyes surprises him. "Thank you Sateya." He does not want her by his side no matter how sincere she appeared. His gaze automatically returns to where he'd previously spotted Naawri.

Her grip tightens on his arm. "How is Naawri?"

He slides a glance to her. "She's ok I guess. I haven't had the chance to talk to her again." He cants his head when she releases his arm. Almost thankful, if not for her posture. Her arms are folded one hip cocked to the side, tail twitching.

"You two are really close." He notes the slight edge in her undertones.

He shifts grip tightening on his bow. "She's my best friend." He consciously sieves casualness into his tone. What was she getting at?

"Oh. That's good."

An awkward silence passes between them. Neteyam straps his bow over his chest. He excuses himself and strides away from her, eyes scanning the crowd. Naawri was his best friend even though his hungry heart has begun protesting for more.

He finds her helping her brother's mate with bandaging. His gaze drops to her leg and sure enough the wound is still untreated, dried blood crusting around it. "Nawri I thought you were going to get that seen about." He gestures to her leg.

"I am...Later"

He takes a meditative breath, "Naawri."

"I told her the same thing," Wiua says tiredly. "Maybe you can talk some sense into her since Rayka's on duty."

He sees the glare she shoots her brother's mate. He takes her arm gently in his hand, pulling her out of earshot. "It's just a cut Neteyam."

"That is not just a cut." Again he points at the injury.

She gives a blatant eyeroll. "It's not a big deal."

"Yes it is, Nawri."

She makes a sound of exasperation. "I can still limp around and I'm alive so it's not."

Eywa this woman... "Eywa, why do you have to be so tough all of the time?"

She folds her arms. "I'm not trying to be tough. There are others who are injured too."

He softens. "That is sweet of you, but right now they aren't my priority," he blurts before he can stop himself.

Jake knows he should be listening to the elders right now, but his attention is caught by his son. His eldest seems to be in a disagreement with Naawri, who he's never heard say more than ten words at a time, of all people. He watches the exchange with interest. Then he sees it. Something intangible, almost kinetic sparks between them. Hmm. Well that definitely complicates things. For now though, first things first.

Naawri stands before Moat.

"Sit down," the elderly Na'vi commands.

She obeys without a word. She rolls her full lips inward to keep from sighing. Neteyam's words echo in her head. You're my priority right now. Surely he doesn't mean it. No, Neteyam rarely says things he doesn't mean. She grimaces when Moat begins cleaning the wound, hands gentle from years of practice.

She peeks at him through her lashes. He sits a few feet away testing his knife. He meant it, but not in the way she wanted. No, he meant it only as a friend. She shakes her head, Eywa why couldn't her poor heart just accept that?

Her nose wrinkles when Moat opens a jar of green paste.

"This will sting," she warns. She scoops a glob of the paste out and slathers it on the gash's entirety.

Sting was an understatement. She winces as it burns its way through the wound. When it's over and her wound is bandaged she leaves quickly without a word.

"Come here Neteyam," his grandmother beckons.

He obeys his grandmother, helping her to rise. "I'm fine grandmother. Norm's machines said my lungs were clear and I inhaled the draught you made to be safe." He offers her his arm, aiding her to the stump near her medicine bottles.

"Mmm," is all she says. Then her wise eyes are on him.

He fights the urge to squirm under her scrutiny. It's almost like she's looking straight through him and directly to his heart.

She makes a soft sound then turns away to her medicine bottles.

Tsahey. She knows. He is both relieved and anxious. "What do I do grandmother?" He drops down next to her. He really needed her guidance right now.

"You know how you feel about her, yes?" She checks her inventory.

"Yes." He sees her squint at one of the bottles she lifts before taking the top off to smell it.

"Good. That is the first step." She turns her gaze on him then. "Now, you must choose for yourself. Will you follow your heart or your duty as the olo'eyktan's eldest son?"

He waits for more but she resumes checking her inventory. He resists the urge to frown. That did not help. At all. He rises anyway. "Thank you grandmother." He gives a deep bow of his head and strides away to find Tuk and help any that require his aid.

Moat watches her grandson go with canny eyes. Of all her grandchildren he was the more well-behaved, the more traditional, the more dutiful. But right now she had a feeling... She only shakes her head and chuckles to herself. It would seem history had a chance of repeating itself.

A.N.:
That's all for this chapter! Jake is starting to connect the dots.