Finally alive (Book 1)

XIII

A few days pass relatively calm. I became even more liked by the kids here, that they now demand more than one story a night. They are quite demanding, curious but wonderful kids. Even some adults come to eavesdrop.

Last night I couldn't settle down, because today was the day. This morning I was even more of a mess, unable to hold anything for more than three seconds.

My heart was beating faster by every passing second. Jake and I were being prepared for the initiation. Neytiri was painting Jake with white paint, while another native, Tarya helped me with my preparation. She was one of the Na'vi that was a friend from the second Jake and I entered Hometree.

When she finished, I glanced at the marine who was on his way to me, with Neytiri close behind him. She wore a smile.

'I see that you are ready.' he put his hands on his hips, his demeanor radiating slight sarcasm. I narrow my eyes at him, ready to tease back, but Neytiri intertwined. She probably didn't want another banter between me and Jake. We always bicker and tease each other, as if we were siblings. I did love Jake as a big brother. And I was his adoptive little sister.

'We need to go. They are ready.' we both nod. I thank Tarya in Na'vi, and we follow Neytiri down the root staircase down, where the whole village has gathered. The excitement was almost palpable. I send a smile to Grace when I notice her by one of the big columns at the entrance. She smiles back and I focus on Eytukan, which smiled broadly at both of us. I could feel Jake was as nervous and honored as I was.

We stopped in front of the chief, I bowed my head in respect. He raised his hands as if to hug us.

'You are now the son and daughter of Omaticaya.' he spoke, as the people surrounded us in a circle. My eyes fell on Tsu'tey, he stood to my right, his chin, as always, high and proud. But his eyes softened as I made eye contact with him. Flustered I focus back on Eytukan as he stepped closer and put his left hand on my left shoulder, and his right on Jake's right one. 'You are the part of the People.'

Mo'at, Neytiri, Tsu'tey and others followed the chief's motion, soon the mass of people represented a live web. This feeling of community and togetherness made my eyes sting, as tears threatened to escape. I smile at no one in particular, subconsciously sending a prayer to Eywa, thanking her for the gift.

I never felt like this in life. To be genuinely wanted somewhere, to be understood. To have a family again. I don't care if what other humans may think, I'm Omaticaya now. And these are my people.

Later in the evening, the celebration was in full swing. The people now were showcasing their native dances that I was really into. I tried my best to learn a few moves, but they will take some time to learn. And I diligently said no to alcoholic beverages I was offered.

I was now laughing at Jake and his terrible attempt to copy Neytiri and the others. He was trying his best, the tip of his tongue out as he was trying to step the correct steps, while the ones sitting were cheering him on.

It was strange that I haven't seen Tsu'tey since the initiation. I slip away unnoticed, just as Jake was trying to do a handstand, making everyone around gasp loudly.

Where on earth would he be? He might be somewhere where he can be by himself, undisturbed.

A lightbulb lights up in my head and I hurry up the giant spiral staircase, then up a smaller one and minutes later, I'm up in the highest and biggest branch, where ikrans sleep. Even though it was after sunrise, I could see just as well as in broad daylight. I spot him, with his own banshee next to him.

I stand there for a bit, aware that he heard me. 'Tsu'tey.'

'Follow me.' he says as he mounts his ikran. Confusion flashes over me at his declaration, but curiosity and something else got the better of me. He took off a second later.

I whistle and a few moments later Silas, my ikran, lands in front of me with a snap of his jaws.

I glide off the branch, spotting Tsu'tey not too far, hovering in the air. As soon I get close enough to question him, he does an aerial backflip and speeds away. I narrow my eyes at him, sensing a challenge. I grin from ear to ear and encourage Silas to go after him.

We were flying over all the beautiful places. To be honest this whole planet is beautiful. It was nearly three months I'm here and yet I'm still in awe. It is even more stunning at night.

I catch up with him, mostly because he slowed down. 'I want to show you something. Follow me.' he dives down, between the trees. He landed in a little clearing, looking around as I dismount the banshee.

'Where are we, Tsu'tey?' I look around the trees and the little glowing bushes around us.

'Za'u.' he motions me to follow down the indistinct path, that seemingly leads to a cave. He walks with me, the cave illuminated by mushrooms, casting a blue-ish light.

At first, the cave went down, but now it was going slightly upwards.

'Close your eyes.' Tsu'tey steps in front of me, wearing a small smile. His green eyes were bright, and the little dots on his face were mesmerizing. If I didn't trust him, I would have already ran for the hills. 'Rutxe.' he says and I follow his instructions. I feel his hand intertwine with mine, sending warm shivers down my spine.

He tugs me forward and I follow him, my eyes still closed, although I was really curious about what he was up to. A few minutes later he stops, the area having sounds I wouldn't expect a cave to have. I heard water sloshing somewhere below us, and something was chirping, almost sounding like a cricket.

'Open your eyes, Sena.'

When I do, my jaw drops to the ground at the view. We stood at what seemed to be a cave with a pool with crystal clear water. But when I looked up I saw an opening, revealing the sky. The sky somehow looked even more magical, the giant blue planet at the left side. I finally breathed in, Tsu'tey silently standing beside me.

'What is this place?'

'We call it taw äie.'(sky pool) he explained as I took steps further into the cave, closer to the pool. I crouch and dip my fingers into the warm water. I gaze up again, sitting down at the edge, dipping my feet into the water, humming as the cold and warm currents pass through them. I tap the area next to me, silently asking Tsu'tey to sit with me. I smile to myself when he does, closer than I anticipated. Not that I'm complaining.

'It's beautiful here, Tsu'tey.' I smile at him as he gazed at me, smiling too.

'I knew you love the sky and water, so I brought you here.'

'Frrfeien.'(happy to visit) I say unsure, but he nods smiling and looks away for a second. When he looks back, his eyes were glinting with something I couldn't describe. But his look made my tail twitch and I leaned in on impulse, kissing him. I pull away after a few seconds, suddenly embarrassed.

'Oh my god. I am so sorry! I should not have done this..' I pour out, moving to stand up, but he grabs my arm stopping me.

'Kehe. Rä'ä rikx.' (No. Don't move) he said too quickly for me to understand. 'Rä'ä tsap'alute si.' (Don't apologise) he gathers my hands into his, looking at me like he was kicked.

'What are talking about? We shouldn't.'

'I want you.' he says frowning for a second.

'Tsu'tey..' I try to reason, but inside, I was doing all the happy dances I could think off. My heart yet again was thumping out of my chest, as my hands got warm from the feeling. 'But Neytiri..'

'She won't be with me. She has her eyes on Jake.' this was the first time he used Jake's real name. 'I want you to be my mate.' My eyes grow larger if possible at his declaration, as he looked at me lost and almost scared. Was he scared of rejection?

I look down to our clasped hands, as we kneeled before each other in this remote cave. I love him, but I'm scared of what Eytukan and Moat will say if we do this.

But this is my life. I'm not about to be regulated when I finally feel free and myself. I found love, a family, and I'll be damned if I let it go without fighting.

I raise my head, and without any warning I slam my lips to his, feeling content for the first time in my life. He grabs my face gently, answering with the same fierceness.

'Oel ngati kameie.' he whispers looking into my eyes.

'I see you too' I smile back at him, hugging him closer.