Ma Neteyam

31

Kiri's eyes were larger than he's ever seen them, her jaw dropped lower than he thought possible. Then with her pitch coming out squeaky and high from the shock she screeched, " You what?!"

Neteyam rushed to shush her as several people turned to face them, " I bit her okay? Now lower your voice-"

" No!" she yelled, standing up and getting in her brothers face, her finger poking his chest roughly. " Are you even hearing yourself right now? What is wrong with you? Biting her? Biting her!"

He licked his lips nervously, then in an attempt to calm her down he grabbed her arms. " First of all, uhm ow?" he hissed, referring to her finger jabs. " Secondly, can you please calm down so you can give me some clear headed advice that I really need right now?"

She scoffed, " In need of clear headed advice since your head has been fogged up all night brother?"

His ears lowered as he forced his sister to make eye contact with him, that way she'd see how genuine and desperate he truly was. Soon enough, her own ears twitched as her tense body relaxed. Releasing a deep breath, she sat down and spoke with a lower voice this time, " Okay, tell me what happened..."

Letting out a breath of relief himself, he did exactly as he was instructed. Perhaps a little too well. Because what was only supposed to be an explanation of the bite turned into an explanation of all the events that led up to that very moment. He couldn't stop himself as he informed her of what happened during the paint ceremony, then how he felt seeing her dancing with that boy, and then how he could no longer control his emotions when he saw the pair sat closely together, saw his hand on his Vareya.

Explained how they fought, yelled at each other under the seclusion of the grand waterfalls. They both had said things they didn't mean, yet they were both hurt and only wanted to cause pain to one another. How in the heat in the moment she spat an angry, ' bite me' comment.

" Which clearly meant she said it literally." she interrupted, voice laced with sarcasm.

Yet he couldn't defend himself this time, didn't have the right too. Holding his head in his hands he let out a frustrating breath, " I already told you, I don't know what took over me."

" I never would've imagined my brother becoming a possessive bastard. You know that's why you did it right?" she scowled.

" Yeah, Vareya already informed me of that." he said lowly, remembering her words. Remembering her face, remembering her expressions. The way her skin felt, the way her chest rose and fell, the way her dark red blood tasted against his lips. How after he bit her, he couldn't help but admire what he had done.

" You basically marked her Neteyam."

No, he claimed her. Claimed what was rightfully his. Did he regret it? He wants to say yes, yet deep down he knows if he had the chance he'd do it again. No matter how selfish it may have seemed, Vareya and him had a connection from the beginning. That beautiful, strong, and stubborn Na'vi who has caused him to feel more alive these past weeks than his entire life. She didn't know it yet, but they belonged together.

Or perhaps she did, maybe she felt what he did and that's why she fought it so hard. Willing to do anything she can to convince herself those feelings weren't real. It took him a while but then he came to the obvious conclusion that she was jealous of his friendship with Móna. But that was a situation he had to handle another time.

" Again, I know. I was blinded by anger and frustration, at the time it seemed like the only thing to do."

Kiri shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose, " She flirts and he bites, what a piece of work."