Chapter Text
The sun was high, her stomach lively with her unborn child, her mate, Tonowari, Olo'eyktan of the Metkayina, (clan leader) her as Tsahik (spiritual leader) of Metkayina.
Her two children where talking with the somewhat still new members of the Metkayina, Tsireya, her youngest alive was threading a bracelet with the Sullis youngest child, Tuktirey, her son was chatting with Rotxo and Lo'ak, who was the second youngest of the sullis.
Kiri was in shallow water not to far away, her head down and just watching the sand and water, Neteyam stood not to far from Lo'ak, hands fixing a few of his braids as they all did there own thing but around eachother. Her mate was fixing their net that Ao'nung had broken, she had tried to say that Ao'nung should fix it but Tonowari just shoo'd the boy off to play. So here she was, one foot flat on the floor as her other one knelt as she curshed up soft plants and small amounts of crushed berries. She was listening, it was her job as tsahik (spirit leader) to always be available, so her ears barley flicked as Tuk speaks.
"Spider would love the beads here" her voice was of a happy tune, her tail swishing as she placed another bead onto the string Tsireya was holding steady for her, Neteyam looked over slowly, a soft grimace on his face as Lo'ak glared at the floor, Kiri's head was still under the ocean waves, she had not heard.
She fully looks over as Tuk sighs heavily, it was one children did when they had just been told no to hanging out with friend, "im sure he would like the beads too" Neteyam spoke hesitantly.
That alone made her ears flick as Tonowari sent a soft glance over, "Tuk, why don't you save it for him?" Lo'ak says, Ronal watches as Tuks face held a deep sad frown as she turned to Lo'ak.
"I want him here" she whines, tail swaying harshly and Tsireya sent a soft glance to Lo'ak as Neteyam gently pulls Tuk to him, she goes into the hug with a sad sigh.
"We do too Tuk, we all miss him" Lo'ak whispers, leaving Ao'nung and Rotxo who looked just as confused at the sudden sad turn of the happy day. Lo'ak walked over to Neteyam, standing nearby as Tuk rubbed her eyes wetly
Ronal was not one to leave a child upset around her, so she stood and walked over, her hand going onto Tuks dark blue skin, gentle three fingers slowly moving on her back, her thumb hovering as Tuk looks to her and her heart breaks at the tears in the evengs (childs) look.
"Oh Tuktirey" she shushes, Tonowari had all but shoved the net down as he walks over too, Kiri as come up for air and had all but ran over to her sister.
"Tuk Tuk?" Her warm voice makes Tuk turn deeper into Neteyam. "She misses Spider" Lo'ak grumbles as Kiri looks to him, her fast twists in pain and she was quick to pull Tuk and Neteyam too her. "I'm sure Spider misses us too" kiri tries hard to be comforting, but Ronal could hear how tight her words came out, ears pinned back and her own eyes downcast as Neteyam broke from the hug to kneel in front of Tuk. "Why don't I make a bowl for the beads and you can give them all to him?" Tuk looked hopeful before looking to her, "Tsireya, why don't you find one of our bowls?" She suggests, Tonowari stood as Ao'nung and Rotxo speak to Lo'ak, the boy stubborn and saying he was fine. The sulli children had walked home with a sad aura around them, Tuk being carried by Neteyam, kiri holding the bowl filled with soft green, white and brown beads, Tsireya looked on worried and she let her had guide her back inside their home.
----
later that night, as Rotxo went home to his own Marui, Ronal held the odd name of Spider to her mind, eyes searching her many years for anything. it wasn't till Tonowari's hands coverd her body and brought her into his warm hug as she hums, she places a hand over her stomach.
"Who ever that Sp'er is-" she pauses at the difficulty to say the name, Tonowari only holds onto her tighter. "he must mean a lot to the Sullis" Tonowari pulls away and sits in front of her, their children pushing into their snonivis (hamocks) for the night.
"I haven't heard Jake Suli mention anything, but I will bring the name up" with the firm nod of his head she let her mind relax.
-----
When Tonowari had returned late that evening, both their children long since fallen asleep, she waits, at the front of their Marui. fire keeping his meal warm as she lazily looks out for him.
When he did enter, a few soft kisses and a quick press to her stomach to feel their unborn child kick against his hand had them smiling, soft laughs filling their home as she places his meal out for him, more soft kisses and smiles given as they spoke of their day.
"I spoke with Jake" he speaks almost hesitantly. She looks over, her shell gone from her hair with how late it was now. 'yes?"
"He had admitted about a boy. An evi" (child)
Her hand finds her stomach once more, her unborn prrnen(baby) soft movements making her eyes sharpen.
"The boy grew with his own children back with the Ometikaya, he is a tawtute"(human/sky person) she let her ears dart back and tail swish as she clenches her hands.
"And they cry for him?" She snarls, Tonowari nods, eyes watching, waiting for her to calm.
She had to calm herself too the sounds of her sea, her childrens deep breaths and a laughing Mauri not too far away. When she makes her eyes meet his, does her Yawnetu (beloved) speak.
"The boy was taken by the sky people. The Dreamwalkers, but Jake called them Recoms?" He had that look of confusion that made her want to smile.
"That is good news yes?" She couldn't understand why the boy going with his own kind was a bad idea.
"Taken against his will Ma'Ronal" his own tail twitched, ears flicking as he tries to remember the words.
"It is why they fled to us, seeking Uturu for their family, if the tawtute was to speak of where they was, then they would danger the whole clan, their family" (safe harbor/refuge) (human/sky person) he spoke with their eyes locked onto each, she let her mind try and think of if her clan was at such harm, if her children were to be in such danger, would she flee? To save then all?
"But he has not?" She asks, she could not find why the words fell from her tense lips but they did.
"Kehe" (no)
-----
"This is Spiders favourite!" Tuk yelled out at Lo'ak, who was trying to eat a fruit Tonowari had cut up for the children.
"So I can't eat it now!?" Lo'ak hissed out, tail lashing, Tonowari and her shared a glance as Tuk held the soft purple fruit tightly to her chest.
"Kehe!" (No)
"He will want some when he comes!" She hisses out, Kiri watches with a sad look on her face, chewing on her own fruit.
"Lo'ak- here" she passes the rest of her own to him. Lo'ak grumbles as he takes it, Kiri sits near Tuk who was holding the bowl tightly, Ronal let her hand rest on her knee and the weaved floor as she stared openly.
"Tuk, Spider isn't here" Kiri says softly, the words seemed to hurt her with the way she had to basically force them through gentle words.
Tuk just shook her heads and stomped her foot just softly.
"But he will be! He will come back" she whined out and Tonowari heaved himself up from the spear he was shaping as he walked over "why don't you go keep the fruit safe for Sp'er in your Mauri?" He kneels down in front of the storm that was Tuk. Kiri nods and Tuk sniffles, "lo'ak will eat it" Lo'ak sent a soft glare but grumbled out a quick "I wont" before adding "I'll save it for Spider okay?"
Tuk walked with Kiri back to their Marui and Tonowari laid a soft hand on her shoulder as he went passed.
------
She did not like the Demon flying machine that was sitting on her village sand.
But they was here to help Kiri, which was useless, because she was going over anyway. But now, as Kiri was awake for the most part and gaining comfort from her surrounding family, she was surprised as the dreamwalker spoke to a smaller tawtute (human) in shakey too formal Na'vi, likely not wanting to speak the human language in front of her.
"Anything about Spider? Nora has been trying to tap into the RDA but she can't get through" she slowed her packing away as she listened in.
"No- not one peep of him, if I didn't want to sleep at night I wouldf say they killed him by now" she felt her blood go cold, murder? A demon would kill their own species child? Her ears flick as she got uncomfortable.
"Max" the dreamwalker hisses as he had a look of such anger and sadness that matched Tuks from the fruit only a few weeks ago.
"I'm sorry- but it has been to long. that I can't help but think that they might of done something" the Demon responsed sounded soft, if she had anything to say it would of sounded scared.
"If they hurt him i'll wreck them down, with or without Jakes help" the dreamwalker hissed again, Jake sent a confused glance at the two at his name, but was quick to run a hand down Kiris arm as she took soft sips of water.
"Wasn't there a guy in there that was given you information?" The Demon asks and the dreamwalker nods, ears flicking and tail swaying.
"Last I heard from him was that he saw them dragging Spider inside a cell, said he went screaming and hisses like a Palulukan" (Thanator)
She couldn't hear anymore of the boy. She left with a glare as she all but hissed out her goodbyes and orders for Kiri to take it slow, tail swishing in fast movements as her ears kept flicking.
She couldn't help but imagine the evi (child) screaming, hissing as strong as a forest Palulukan (Thanator).
She tried not the think of Tsireya or Ao'nung going down cold metal walls hissing and screaming for freedom that night.
She failed.
-----
Her dream came true, in a way, Tsireya tied to the Demon ship, Tuk and Lo'ak along side her as her Ao'nung was no where to be found.
That fight of war was one blinded by the clan, children where sacred things, to fight and die protecting one, was one every Na'vi was willing to die for.
She saw many fall that night, dying for the Tulkun, their home, their children and their family.
Her own spirit sister had died to these demons, her sweet Roa and her son.
Once her feet hit swift sand, Tsireya and Ao'nung falling behind her and Tonowari last.
She couldn't stop the snarling cry as she pulled her children close.
Rotxo not far behind being embraced by his family that had survived. three had fell that night.
They all had rushed to surviving members, ones fighting for life was rushed to the healing huts, a few still being pulled from the water./p>
She was needed there and she knew she would have to go as the sun rose higher now.
But she caught sight of the Sullis, Tsireya had already spoke of Neteyams death, eyes dripping tears as she cried at her first eyes on experience with death./p>
A child, gone from Eywa'eveng many years too soon.So she watches, as Jake Suli holds his dead son tightly to his chest, tears stuck on his fallen face, Neytiri holding to Tuk and Lo'ak as Kiri fell back near the water as she crouched down and held onto a figure.
Jake let Neytir take Neteyam, Tuk holding onto Neytiri's tail as she cried, Jakes eyes found hers and she sent a small nod.
He walks over, voice all but gone as he spoke "oel ngati kameie" he spoke to them whole.
They all respond the same.
He sent a soft nod, eyes barley holding it together, Tonowari held onto Tsireya tighter as she did Ao'nung.
"I must ask this, Olo'eyktan. Tsahik" they share a look, her and Tonowari. They nod once again.
"I ask you to let Spider be apart of my families Uturu" the demon boy was here. On her island with her clan. Her hand tightens on Ao'nung who sends a glance to Tsireya who let's tears fall.
"He belong to me. To my family" Jake persists as he holds a barley there glance. She looks beyond him, to kiri and what she now knows is the figure of this Spider boy.
He was not what she imagined.
She expected the weird demon clothes and guns they all wore. For werid machines that fit in their pockets to be in his hand, but there wasn't.
There was faded blue stripes on his skin, matching close to Kiri's, he wore a worn dirty tweng, he wore a mask as all Demons do, his hair a dirty bright sun colour, similar hair style to that of Jake Suli, but less taken care of.
The boy had soft bruises and small cuts along him but the one cut that stood out by a Tulkun to a Ilu, is the long edging on deep cut on his chest.
Kiri held tightly to the boys arms, eyes wet as she spoke quietly, the boy had his own tears on his face, blood on his mask and body.
She barley heard Tonowari agree for them both as she kept looking. Lo'ak was quick to come rushing back over to the two, Tuk too joing, Neytiri most likely needing a moment with her Neteyam.
"Spider!" It was Tuks loud shrill that broke her from her staring. Jake turned too, hand still on her mats large arm as he gave a soft twist of his mouth.
"Tuk tuk!" The boys voice wasn't a loud shrill of angry, mocking Na'vi,Kehe(no), it was perfect Na'vi. Ometikaya accent strong even from his months with the demons.If anything his voice shooke from emotions.
"He speaks Na'vi very well" she murmurs and Jake couldn't seem to stop the barley there twitch of his mouth.
"He speaks it more then English, always refused to speak it- I best go-" he only left with a nod as he all but ran to their Marui.
"I missed you guys so much" the boys shakey voice made her look at the huddled children.
They was closer now, more away from the water and now towards the soft sand, she saw Tonowari look too.
"I'm so sorry Spider" Kiri sobbing voice made her tail sway.
"We should of gone for you" she sobbed out, Lo'ak laid a hand on the boys head, tuk holding onto him like he was the only good think in this war. Her head tucked into his neck as he rubbed a hand over her back.
"You never did?" The tawtute's (humans) hurt voice made her heart peel.
Her hand held tighter to Ao'nung who refused to move from her side, a few shakey breaths as she felt her itans (sons) tear spill on her shoulder.
"Dad said it was to dangerous-" Tuk cried out, pulling away to hold onto his shoulders, Lo'ak stepped closer, eyes refusing to leave the boys face, Kiri just kept holding his hand in her large blue ones.
"Oh" that was all the evi (child) said as he pulled Lo'ak and Tuk closer, Kiri coming closer too.
"That explains the scenery change" the boy had muttered dryly.
-----
It had been a week, those who gave their life where gifted back to Ewya's waiting hands.
She remembers watching Neteyam be buried with tight eyes, a child, the only child to be buried. Her and Tonowari had held onto their children tightly for a few night after.
-----
She watches as Spider let a child touch his skin, his shoulder and arm as the Na'vi evi (child) touched with curiosity, "are these natural?" Ronal had to hold back a scoff.
"Kehe- Kiri paints them onto my skin to create the pattern" (no) Spider answers truthfully.
The child kept asking questions that Spider was more then happy to answer.
"How'd you get that one?" The child pointed to the large healing scar on the boys chest.
The boy didn't answer, just let the child ask a different question about his mask that made him laugh and respond like nothing happend.
-----
"Ma'Ronal" Tonowari speaks softly, she let him join her by the fire, let him take her discarded knife and continue cutting fruit as she let a hand rest on the floor.
"The Tawtute" (human) She began, let Tonowari's tail hit hers and let hers nudge back. "He has a werid placement in the Sulis, yes?"
She had seen it immediately, the boy not really joining family time, finding things to do on his own, only referring to Jake and Neytiri as Mr.Sully, and Mrs.sully, not as sempul and sa'nok. (father) (mother)
she saw how he avoided Neytiri and kept his head down when she was around. Saw how the boy grew tense if jake mentioned anything about his months with who she now knew what his birth father, Quaritch.
The boy seemed only to be comfortable with the kids. But Jake Suli had said the boy was his. His family. His to care and comfort, so she did nothing.
As far as she and the whole clan was aware, the boy was spoken for.
Not like many would take the boy if he was an orphan, but it still settled the part in them that saw a child, like she had when she first saw him.
Spider was playing with Tuk, running past people and dodging working ones as Tuk ran fast, "c'mon!" She giggled out, Ronal watches as Spider held up to the child's fast paste.
"Tuk!" The boy yelled out, smile bright, his mask gleaming on his face as Tuk ran closer to where she was working.
"I have to show you!" Tuk called out, the two ran past her fastly that she had to quickly follow with her head and a turn of her body to see where they was running.
It was to the tweng makers and jewelry creators spot to work.
"Children are always filled with energy" the man, Vo'trix, spoke with a calming laugh, she looked at the healer as he did to her, "the tawtute, sp'er, he seems to be good at fitting in" she hummed at that, "he is fast to learn anew. The Dreamwalker, Norm, said humans are great for accumulation" Vo'trix snorted and nodded as he finished applying the bandage to a new hunter.
"We will see how well he does" her tone was the signal of the conversation ending.
-----
Jake sulli came to their Marui, face tired and no doubt just done with a heated argument, Tonowari stood fast, "what is it?" It was just her and Tonowari, Tsireya and Ao'nung hanging out with Rotxo near the wind traders till they left.
"Spiders mask, it failed last night" she stood fast, had another child died beneath her fingers?
"Is he dead?" Her tone was harsh, large eyes watching from her now standing spot on the Mauri floor, hands still in her hair.
"No- oh Eywa no" Jake sputtered out as he shook his hands, ears pinning at the thought. Tonowari stepped closer, "then, what has happened brother?" Jake looked down before taking a deep breath, "his air ran out fast, and old battery no doubt. I don't know how long he was struggling but Kiri woke us up" he ran a hand down his locked hair.
"It is too dangerous for him. To live in a mask day and night, he could die if he burns his batteries to fast, he has been getting headaches, to much refiltered air is damaging him"
She had walked closer now, Tonowari looked on in distress, her hand closes over his, "what do you plan to do?" Her voice had to take her tone of tsahik. (Spirit leader)
"I must take him back to Norm and Max. It will be the safest option for him" the words seemed like stone in Toruk Makto's voice.
"The children, have not taken it well?" She speaks, Tonowari looking at her then Jake.
"No...No one is happy, which is why we will be going with him. A family trip, to see their grandmother and say goodbye" Tonowari sighs and closes his eyes.
"Do as you wish" she looked at Tonowari who opened his eyes to hers, a silent conversation going through them.
"You will be welcomed back" Tonowari continues, eyes finding Jakes who looked relieved. "Si irayo ngaru, Olo'eyktan, Tsahik" he bowed his head and they nodded theirs.
-----
They had watched as they left, her shocked expression as Tsireya shouted out goodbyes to Lo'ak, but she saw the tawtute(human) waving goodbye, a few children and cooks vigorously waving back, kiri kept her hand on his shawled shoulders, he looked so tiny compared to everyone on the wind traders home.
-----
It was a long night. she kept having dreams of the Demons and her children on the Demons ships, but she also dreamt of Spider, Jakes words had made her realise how weak the humans were to their air. The boy could of pass away, sleeping while struggling for breath, long cold by morning if not for Kiris hearing.
So she kept dreaming of him over the next few nights. running with Tuk, falling and breaking his mask, she kept dreaming of him being in deep water with her children as demon nets swooped then up and taken by the Demons.
It was odd to her, when Spider started joining her children in her nightmares, Tonowari himself kept looking at the beaded bracelet on Tsireyas wrist, one the boy made of thanks for teaching him the ways of the water, even in the small two weeks of training.
And if they visited the sullis empty Mauri and saw one of the boys feathers left near the cookfire, and had picked it up as an unknowing wave sadness took over them, maybe it was just for the couple and their unborn baby to know why they felt so upset as the sounds of Tuk and Spiders running had stopped, kiri and Spider more then eager to learn of the Metkayina healing ways, no longer asking good questions for the healers to respond in happy tones, Ao'nung and Tsireya had stopped being as excited to go out to the waters, Lo'ak and Spider usually on the outcast, payakans fin, waiting so do tricks and spend the whole day out at sea.