Chapter Text
Kyoko was eight when it happened. The resounding booms shook her to her core, flinging her from her ilu. She should never have gotten curious; she should have waited just a little longer for them to return instead of venturing out with this savior complex. It was naive. Stupid.
She always imagined what would happen if she had stayed back. Her parents would come back, telling stories of saving their Tulkun brothers and sisters from the vicious Sky People. Deep down, she knew it was a lie. The Sky people always won, whether she was there or not. Blown off her animal, Kyoko was forced out, left only to watch the massacre unfold. The warriors, the spirit sisters and brothers, everyone would fall, leaving destruction and despair. Now, she couldn’t even recall her parents' faces.
The last thing she remembers is waking to gray skies and dozens of faces staring at her broken body. Someone was shouting, sounding an alarm that was dulled by her ears as exhaustion and fatigue slowly blanketed her thoughts. She barely noticed herself being lifted into strong arms covered in paintings and tattoos. Kind eyes met hers speaking a mixture of understanding, worry, and a strange protectiveness as he whispered, "Tsurokx, child. I see you”.
It’s been seven years since the charge that killed your clan, and the events that followed shaped you into who you are today. It was Tonowari who took you in and raised you as if his own, growing up alongside Tsireya and Aonung, especially bonding with the former. You two were inseparable, sisters even if not by blood. While Tsireya was training to become the next tsahik, you studied alongside her while also proving your worth to the clan by becoming an experienced hunter and warrior. Tonowari especially took pride in your abilities and trained you from the ground up.
You were now out riding with Tsireya gathering fish for dinner that night. You heard them before you saw them, the subtle beating of wings in the distance. Suddenly an alarm sounded, calling for the clan to gather. You both look up to see creatures with a variety of colors and patterns sweeping over the village with what looks like Na’vi on their backs. They all landed on a section of the beach, where already many Metkayina gathered. Quickly glancing at Tsireya, she nodded and you both dived with your ilu, making your way to the scene. On the way, your mind drifted. Who were these riders, and what were they seeking? You’ve only been told about the flying beasts called the ikran, how members of different clans challenged and tamed the Mountain Banshees. Just the thought of flying, being above all life, made your heart flutter. But why were they all the way out here?
You and Tsireya surfaced from the water at what seemed to be a mid conversation between the foreigners and Tonowari. There seemed to be six of them, but what was mainly noticeable was their appearance. Your eyes scanned the nearest one; his skin was a deep blue and his tail was long and thin. He appeared strong in ways not meant for the water, better suited for running. The cloths he wore were made from different leaves, and he carried an air of respect for those around him. You didn’t realize you were staring until you finally looked at his face, his eyes already on you. You quickly looked away and started to lean closer to Tsireya, your grounding point. He smirked and turned his attention to the ongoing conversation being held.
The man who presented himself as the leader of their group introduced himself as Jakesully. A murmur went through the crowd as they all recognized the infamous Toruk Makto, the one who led the clans to victory in battle against the Sky People. The crowd started parting and you instantly knew who was approaching. Ronal entered, her eyes scanning over the outsiders. You admired her, her strength and perseverance shining in every action she made. She rarely took a liking to people, but you were surprisingly one of the few she chose to trust and confide in. Jakesully spoke, “We seek uturu,”.
“Uturu?” Ronal repeated.
“Yes, sanctuary for my family,”
A hush flowed through the crowd as Ronal weaved her way through the group, picking at their weak points. She approached the young girl holding her tail to her chest, and roughly grabbed both her palms, showing them to the crowd. “These children are not even true Na’vi,”. Several gasps surrounded them as you counted five fingers on her hands. Ronal ungrasped her hands and made her way to another one that appeared to be only slightly younger than you. She held up his hand as he looked down in shame.
You can sense Tsireya shifting uncomfortably beside you. She was always the kinder and more patient of you two, always seeing the good in things and standing up for the weak. The one you were staring at before, which looked to be his brother, quickly went to his side as Ronal dropped his hand. Jakesully was quick to interfere, telling them of his origins as part of the Sky People turned Na’vi.
The air around them was tense as questions flooded your mind. The immediate question was why did they seek protection in the first place? What exactly were they fleeing from? It puts you on edge, making you skeptical of their motives. You looked to Tonowari who, much like Tsireya, was more accepting than most. You fought the urge to give him your input on the situation, to tell him to make the logical decision. You were about to when Tsireya caught your hand, instinctively knowing what you were thinking. “No,” she whispered. “Give them a chance, sister,”
Your eyes drifted to the boy from earlier, who had a much more apprehensive look in his eyes. You could almost hear the storm in his mind. Like you, he looked as though he wanted to march in front of his father and take charge of the situation. You recognized the hunger to lead, and it irked you how similar it was to your own.
The debate continued between the three. Jakesully pleaded, stating he was finished with war and needed to protect his family. Tonowari looked to his wife, seeming to have a silent conversation only they could understand. Eventually Ronal sighed and nodded as Tonowari turned back to the family.
“Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us. Treat them as our brothers and sisters. Now, they do not know the sea, so they will be like babies, taking their first breath. Teach them our ways so they do not suffer the shame of being useless,”
A murmur of gratitude came from the family, as the surrounding group started to secede back to their earlier activities. Suddenly, your father turned to you. “My son, Aonung, and our daughters, Tsireya and Kyoko, will guide your children on our ways,”
Your eyebrows shot up. What!? What was he thinking, saying that we were responsible for their naivety? you thought. Aonung seemed to have the same idea, as you both started to protest.
“Why us-”
“But father, I need-”
“Enough, it is decided,” He spoke, turning to go back to his duties.
You both groaned as you turned back to see Tsireya, happy as can be, looking like she was about to through a whole welcome party. You came to her side as she was talking to them about our village. While she was talking, you gave yourself a chance to look over all of them, as you will probably be spending a lot of time together.
The smallest one calls herself Tuk, and you can tell she has a free spirit. The young girl, who introduced herself as Kiri, looked more reserved than the rest. She also looked slightly off from the others, maybe not being related to them, similar to yourself. You gave a small smile, thinking maybe it wasn't entirely bad that they were going to be here. That feeling quickly dissipates as your eyes move to the younger brother from earlier, Lo’ak. You notice how his gaze never leaves Tsireya, his expression slightly lost as if he's not entirely paying attention. You chuckled and elbowed Aonung to let him know, him also sensing something was amiss. You look back to see the oldest brother, who you recently found out is called Neteyam, watching the whole exchange. Your eyes lock, but this time you decide to hold your ground. What’s his deal? you thought to yourself. He cocked his head to the side, as if in challenge. This time you were the one who smirked. You can sense that he’s used to being good at everything he tries, and that he expects that to be the same here.
You laugh internally. Who does he think he is? Former Olo'eyktan’s firstborn son? The Golden Boy? None of that holds any meaning here, and you feel as if it’s your duty to teach him that. Tsireya soon enough finishes talking and starts showing them around the village. She keeps you there by her side to your dismay, walking over the ropes and nets woven between the huts. The sounds of the ocean lapping against the shore distracts you as you walk in silence. You both lead them to their hut where they'll be staying, and leave them to set up their belongings.
You sigh as you get home and lay down to sleep, knowing these next few weeks are going to be long and excruciating.