Eywa's Gift - Eytukan x female human x Mo'at

Growing up fast

Temnawri was growing up fast she was now eight and had been working on achieving her first skill. She was about to be ready to start her rite of passage, right now she was being taught how to hunt and track. It would be awhile before she would even get an Ikran or take part in the Dream Hunt. We were walking around as Eytukan was teaching her to track.

I watched Atan crawled around staring at everything. "Mum!" He pointed to a sting bat flying around, Atan was so excited to show it to me. "Wow, it's amazing isn't it?" He grinned as he clung to my leg. Mo'at hummed as she sat down weaving a new top for Temnawri. She looked up, staring at us. "He's growing up fast, Ma'yawne." I nodded. "Yeah, he is, getting tall too." I glanced over and I noticed Temnawri had a major growth spurt ever since Atan hit four months. She went from being 4'3" to being 5'7" within the blink of an eye. "Mama, look a Hexapede has been here!" I smiled seeing her pointing at the tracks. "Yes, sweetheart, I see."

"Sof, come here, I found the herbs have been doing very well." I walked over to examine the plants. "Oh, you're right." I stared looking at the flourishing herbs. "Mum!" I turned my head to glance back at Atan. I turned around quickly, catching Mo'at's attention. He was pouting, holding onto a nearby tree, keeping himself up. "Atan..." I went over to him, but Eytukan noticed and stopped me. "Eytukan..." He gave me a smile. "Let him." I looked back and watched him let go the tree. He began to toddle, taking two tiny steps. Atan grinned holding out his hands to me. In his excitement he ended up tripping over a rock. "Atan!" I ran over to him. He lifted his face that was lightly dusted with dirt, being to cry. "Poor thing."

I went to pick him up and he smacked my hand away. "Atan..." Mo'at sighed picking him up. "Looks like he's embarrassed." I blinked confused as he hid his face in Mo'at's shoulder. Eytukan wrapped his arm around my waist. "He was trying to show-off to you, so he'd get your attention." My eyes softened and went over and took him from Mo'at. "You did very well Atan." He pouted, sniffling as he now clung to me. "Muumm..." I rubbed his back trying to soothe him. "It's okay, little one."

Mo'at took him and he pouted as she cleaned him. Soon enough he fell fast asleep, Mo'at smiled, holding him close. Temnawri grabbed my hands and pulled me along. "Mama, watch me track." I stared unsure as she pulled me along. "Come on Ma'Yawnetu, it'll be fine." Eytukan placed his hands on my shoulders. I glanced back at Mo'at with Atan. "Don't worry Sof, we'll be fine." She waved us goodbye.

I huffed walking through the forest, seeing all the plants up close. I rarely went outside the village, usually I stayed inside, unless for certain exceptions. Like helping Mo'at pick herbs or joining them awhile they fly their Ikrans. It's not like I'm forbade to go outside the village, it's just I never really wanted to. Especially with what happened to Yoya, Loreyu and Lily.

I walked ahead taking in everything, but was stopped when I ran into Eytukan's back. He turned to me and I flushed red from embarrassment. "Sorry!" Eytukan smirked before turning around and staring at Temnawri who had bent, studying the ground. "These are fresh, they should be around here!" Eytukan shushed lightly. "Yes, but if we're too loud, they get scared off." Temnawri covered her mouth, before standing back up.

We walked around until Temnawri pushed past some brush and we found ourselves near a waterfall. We were watching a mature Hexapede drinking water from the great pool in river. I watched Temnawri steady her bow. Eytukan guided her through the steps. "Look ahead, look for the weak points, breathe in when you pull, and breathe out when you release your arrow." Temnawri nodded, we watched as she pulled back her arrow and then released it quickly. Completing a kill and mercifully kill with one single arrow.

"I did it! I did it!" Eytukan grinned as he walked over to when the Hexapede bow rested on the ground. "Don't forget we have to give thanks for this creature and the gifts we have received, young one." I felt uneasy though, like I was being watched. I knew I was safe with Eytukan, but couldn't shake the feeling. Especially with Mo'at alone at our kelku, even though I knew she could handle herself, I just couldn't stop myself from worrying. I turned around hearing Tetrapterons sound off. I watched them as they scattered, my eyes widened seeing a shadowy figure.

Unconscious I stepped towards it a little shaken, but stopped when a hand touched my shoulder. Eytukan had the Hexapede over his shoulder, to which he used his free hand to get my attention. "Hey, I was calling you, something wrong?" I was about to say something when Temnawri clung to my arm. "Mama, you okay?" I glanced at her and back to where the figure was, but who ever it was, they had disappeared. "I'm fine, don't worry, let's go back to Mo'at, quickly." I grabbed her hand and led her along. I noticed Eytukan was looking in the same direction as me, then quickly walked behind me. "Come on, Mo'at's is waiting and I'll teach you how to use the gifts of the sister we thank by using each one wisely."

When we got back home Mo'at greeted us with Atan, who seemed to be extra clingy. "Ah, Hexapede, you're tracking venture went well?" Temnawri running up to Mo'at. "Yes, sa'nok!" Mo'at ruffled her hair making her giggle. "Sa'nok!"

After Eytukan taught Temnawri how to skin the Hexapede and clean the meat, he taught Temnawri about the hide and teeth, on how it was used. The hide was used was clothing, for protection and the tooth was usually used for crafting weapons. While they did that Mo'at and I made a delicious meal out of the meat. Once Atan and Temnawri were asleep in their hammocks, Eytukan touched my shoulder.

"You seen that figure again?" My eyes widened and I slowly nodded, knowing that he knew. "Yeah... someone's watching me, it unsettling... I'm more worried about children though." Mo'at placed her hand on my hip. "If I find them, they will not like the consequence." Eytukan nodded. "We will not take this lightly, we will keep you safe."