Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When Jake woke in his avatar, things felt different. Not in a bad way, but it was as if everything was...alive. That was the first sensation, then came the flashlight beaming at his eyeballs. 

"Jake? You awake?" one of the scientists asked. 

"H-hey," He replied shakenly. The new sensations messing with his head. 

He turns to see Norm working on motor skills, touching fingers and so on, and then it hits him like a brick. He can feel his legs, his toes, his waist, oddly enough, his tail. He rolls his ankles, not registering anything the scientists are saying. He goes to stand up. Wobbly. 'That's a given, haven't walked in years' he thought. He sees the door. The door to the outside world. The door that separates him from feeling nature like when he was young. So he runs - wobbles - towards it. His body flailing around as he reaches for the door. He hears the panicked "masks!" but doesn't care. He just wants to go out. 

When he breaches past the door, feeling the air hit his face, his skin. He becomes stable on his feet at that moment. So he runs. He runs so much that he nearly bumps into one of the AMP Suit. "My bad!" with a quick apology and back to his run. As if a second presence calls to him, he sees the plants within the RDA walls, and he runs. Faster, and faster, and faster. He wants to be sure of this. Even if this was all a dream, he wants to feel it one more time. Just once. The moment his feet touches the soft dirt, Jake feels a connection renewed within himself. As he races in the garden, he skids to a stop, digging his feet into the ground, letting the dirt roll between his toes, over his feet, and cushions his soles. He feels at peace for once.

"Hey Numbnuts!" Grace shouts, bringing him out of his daze, "Catch!"

He catches a fruit of some kind, looks edible, especially if Grace tossed it to him. So he takes a bite, and then he realizes how dehydrated he was. How dehydrated this body was from running. It had been forever since he's felt like this. Out of breath from running, not rolling a wheelchair. Dehydrated from running, not because he hadn't drank water for a while. It almost made him cry, if Grace wasn't there in front of him. Norm finally caught up to him as well. He was panting harder than Jake was. It was kind of funny, seeing as he was the one sitting in the wheelchair most of the time. Thinking now, it was surreal that he was walking, even running again. While thinking to himself, Grace leads them back to the building to get actual clothes to put on. "Naked hyenas" as she put it. Going into the lodgings was a little hard for him, he wasn't sure why. Jake shook off the feeling, thinking it was his imagination. He proceeds to put on the standard uniform; a dark brown t-shirt, camouflage cargo pants, and army boots. He felt constricted for the first time in uniform.

After a few more hours of training, the day passed by pretty fast, and it was soon night. He watched the weird tendrils in his braids, but stopped at Grace's sarcastic warning. After carefully placing his braid over his shoulder, he laid on his side, anticipating the transfer back to his original body. But before he closed his eyes, after the lights were turned off, he saw the beautiful glow of Pandora. The bioluminescence made night as bright as day, the chirping of bugs and animal noises, it felt pleasant.

---

Jake woke back in his body, no feeling past his waist. He sighed in disappointment. His thoughts going back to how he'd rather be in his avatar, walking, wandering, running, and...connected. 

---

Days go by, and he's on an excursion with Norm and Grace. Obviously as a gun man, he can't do science for shit, that was Tommy. Instead, he takes in the surroundings. Thick vines connected between trees, prolemuris swinging through them, as if straight out of Tarzan. The trees are huge, if he wasn't wearing boots, he'd be climbing them too. The flora and fauna are interesting, I wonder how they'd look like at night'. And then a plant retracts itself, like the corals back on Earth. It spooked him at first, but then it became fun...until it wasn't. First, he spooked, amazingly, a hammerhead titanothere, thankfully(maybe?) a young adult. And then a thanator reveals itself in the trees, How the fuck? and Jake ran. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. His pack weighed him down, but that came off in a jiffy. He felt like his boots also weighed him down, but who has time to think when a large six-legged predator is running at him because he probably pissed it off somehow. So, he runs, until he can't anymore, like literally, jumping down a waterfall kind of can't. Which happens. 

Is Jake happy he managed to escape from the thanator? Yes. Most definitely. Is he confident he can make it out in the wild to get back to camp? No. Not. At. All. Because he ain't got a clue how he got where he is in the first place. All he knows is that he managed to get away by jumping down a waterfall, laughing at the thanator because he managed to escape, but the thanator was skulking the cliff, prowling around, so Jake knew he wasn't gonna be able to go up the way he went down. So, Dora the explorer he goes. First, to make things easier for him, he took off his boots. He needed a bird's eye view of where he was, so he took off his boots, looked for what looked like the tallest tree, and climbed.

What he didn't know, was that a Na'vi was watching him, actually, several Na'vi were watching him. Some with their weapons out, waiting for the signal to kill. Other's were curious as to what this <moron> was going to do. They all didn't expect him to take off his shoes. They also didn't expect him to climb a tree, pretty well too. They just watched, observing what this Dreamwalker was going to do, and just waiting. Why didn't they just kill him the moment they saw him? Because without Jake noticing, an atokirina landed on his head for a few short minutes, floating on his head for a good 5 minutes, before floating away. It was an omen. Good or bad would depend on this Dreamwalker's actions. The hunting leader already sent a scout to inform the Tsahik of the event. They were waiting for orders from the Tsahik and the Olo'eyktan. But it was a long distance from Hometree, so the news wouldn't be delivered fast, and the discussion between the two, could take a few minutes to hours even. 

By then, Jake had already climbed the highest tree, to him, and scoured around him. He didn't see anything that stood out other than a giant tree, a tree larger than anything he's ever seen outside of movies like Avatar the Last Airbender. It was a spectacle to see, but he knew what that location was. He wasn't stupid, Grace had drilled it into his head that if he ever saw a tree bigger than its surrounding components, that was Hometree, and that place was off limits to people like him. So, once he saw the tree, he determined his course of action. He climbed down, and walked the opposite direction of Hometree. He grabbed his boots, but didn't put them on, just carried them around so that if needed to, he could chuck at something or someone. He wasn't dumb, and Grace said he was probably already being watched by the Omaticaya. He didn't know how many, but he saw a glimpse of blue when he was climbing down, and he wasn't gonna risk his life just so the RDA could get some metal ore. He hated that his legs were used as negotiation, he hated how he couldn't walk in his human body. He loved his avatar, he loved how far he could reach, how much he could hear, how much he could feel. His avatar made him feel more alive than ever, and he wasn't about to let some corporate asshole take it away from him. 

--

A few hours go by and its night time. The Omaticaya hunters thought the Dreamwalker would make a fire at some point, but he didn't. Jake never made a fire and dark came closer. He had always wanted to see the bioluminescent glow of the plants that he would see a speck of at RDA. He wanted to see the night life of Pandora. So, he did what any survivalist would do in a giant jungle. He looked for high ground. He just happened to climb a tree that held the most dangerous thing after a thanator.

Tsu'tey. 

As Tsu'tey watched him climb higher on the tree he was watching Jake on, he frowned. He nearly growled, but he hides himself higher on the tree, away from Jake. Already, he wants to kill the Dreamwalker, but he can't. A decision from the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan hasn't arrived yet. It would probably take even longer seeing as Jake moved further away from Hometree. Jake seats himself on the branch that Tsu'tey was at. Which makes Tsu'tey frown even more, if that's even possible. Jake lays on his stomach as he waits for nightfall. Where are his shoes? He lost them when he threw one in a bush, and a viperwolf pup took his other while he was distracted. He didn't think too much of it, they were getting too much to have around anyways. 

Jake waited for the eclipse, where the sun disappears within the lining in the sky. While waiting, he eats some of the fruits he saw some yerik eat. He didn't think it could be anything poisonous. He hasn't died yet. He also ate fruits similar to the one at RDA.  

As the sun set, the forest nightlife began. Jake's eyes widen with wonder. 'Its beautiful.' All the plants seem to come to life. He notices where he sits, the moss glows under him. Its like a child's game, poking at it to make it glow ever more. Jake smiles so wide, he feels his face is going to split in half. Although he knows its dangerous, he stands on the branch and takes in the scenery before him. With a deep breath, he jumps to a vine near him, sliding down, and landing ever so softly to walk the forest ground. He takes light steps, observing the plant life around him. He uses his heightened senses to hear the forest around him. For Jake, this moment was something he could never experience on Earth, something he would never experience in his human body. Letting out a sigh, Jake continues to walk a slow pace. His thoughts engulfing him.

'I have to lose the connection at some point. Pretty sure the manual said prolonged connection could be dangerous.' His tail and ears droop, showing his despair of leaving his avatar body. The body that can connect to this new world, where he can walk and run. Where he can feel an actual connection to the nature around him. Wonder if this is the work of that deity Grace talked about. Ehsha? Eyda? Ewya? What was she called again? Jake wanders around, thinking to himself and taking in new sights. He isn't thinking much about where he's going. And then he hears it. Viperwolves. They're yipping around, running together. Thankfully, Jake hadn't set foot in their marked territory yet, but that doesn't mean he's safe. Jake ducks down, and tries to scurry away quietly. At least the avatar body is more flexible than his own. He tries to silently creep away without bringing attention to himself. So far, it looks like they're too busy play fighting to have sensed him. And then, like every cliché movie, he steps on a stick, 'Why the fuck is that there!?' Without even thinking, he runs. The viperwolves on his tail, literally. He knows he can't outrun them, so he looks for a tree. 

'Found it' A tree with thick vines wrapped around it, covered by moss. It was perfect, easy to climb, and close enough to him. He makes a sharp turn, jumping over some roots, and runs straight to the tree. After reaching it, he starts to climb. His toes gripping the vines holding him up, his hands grappling above him and he tries to get higher. He gets scratched by 2 of the viperwolves on his calves. It hurt, and it burned, but he needs to get away, which he does. Like a miracle, he makes it high enough on the tree that the viperwolves can't reach him. Taking a breather on a branch, he tries to slow his breathing. And then a sharp object is pointed at his face.

"Oh my fucking god!" he shouts. 

He shoves it away in a panic and bounces to different branches. He noticed during his adventure that the tree branches and roots reach out to each other, making sturdy bridges. So he basically tries sprinting to another tree. The Omaticaya hunter is surprised. 

<Oy! What are you waiting for?! Let's go!> shouts another hunter.

The Omaticaya hunters start to chase after Jake. A little earlier, before Jake's meet up with the viperwolves, they finally got a message from the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik, <Bring him to Hometree>, but they were a little late to getting Jake, because he had already been running away from the viperwolves while they were discussing how to go about grabbing, kidnapping, Jake. Once they had noticed, they had to run towards him. 

<He's a fast runner> one of them laughs. 

<Can we shoot him?> an archer suggests.

<No! We can not shoot him. I'd rather not be carrying an injured Dreamwalker to Hometree> Tsu'tey commands. His face shows his deep disapproval towards anything regarding Jake right now. 

On the other hand, Jake is running away as fast as he can. The injury from the viperwolves impeding him somewhat. He wasn't interested in losing his avatar, it was the only thing allowing him to move as he liked. Once he felt he created enough distance, he looked behind him. And saw them running after him, climbing and jumping between branches swiftly. So Jake slides down from the trees and onto ground floor. But that was definitely the wrong move, because now he was running from Na'vi on direhorses. 

'Why is this happening to me?' Jake runs as much as he can, until something is lodged at his feet, 'A bola!?' , which makes Jake fall to the ground. Jake quickly takes out a knife from his back pocket, trying to cut the bola from his ankles. It takes a few seconds, but its all he needs seeing as the Na'vi are still a little bit away. Just as he stands, another bola is thrown at him, tying his torso, 'At least I can still run,' and then another is thrown at his ankles again, 'Ah fuck.' With that, Jake accepts his fate and lays there, waiting for impending death on his avatar. 

Except it doesn't happen.

"Be grateful you haven't died yet, the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan have agreed to bring you to Hometree," Tsu'tey says. 

"What?" Jake asks in disbelief, still lying on the ground. Some of the Omaticayan hunters have begun to lift him up. 

"Are you deaf or stupid?" Tsu'tey comments.

"Hey!" Jake yells in contempt, "How the fuck was I supposed to know I wasn't gonna die!?" They lift him to a direhorse tied to the one Tsu'tey is riding on. 

"When you were not shot with arrows, otherwise how else would you have lived so long?" 

"Thought you were a bad shot."

Tsu'tey growls at him, "I shot you down with these bolas, did I not?"

"Arrows and bolas are two different things," Jake smirks. 

Throughout the trip, these two argue left and right. The Omaticaya hunters were tired, but amazed. Tsu'tey is a fierce warrior. He is also the lead hunter and trainer of the People. It is not uncommon to see him yell, but it is uncommon to see him bicker with a Dreamwalker. The trip was long, but it felt short with how much bickering was done. By the time they were at Hometree, Tsu'tey huffed in frustration. Some of the hunters chuckled within themselves, it was not everyday they would see a frustrated Tsu'tey. 

Chapter Text

The People were already informed of what was going to happen. No one was shocked. Children hovered nearby to see the dreamwalker. Everyone was curious as to what Eywa wanted from a dreamwalker. It was an omen. Jake was taken down from the direhorse, they freed him from the bolas, knowing Jake wasn't going to be able to run anywhere anymore. Jake had a sense not to run, seeing as Quaritch wanted him to make them move and Grace wanted to have a connection to the Omaticaya again. Jake didn't want anything to do with the RDA. He just wanted a new body and be in this new world where no technology and metal existed, where could jump from tree to tree, and explore the unknown. He wanted help. He wanted to know if it was possible to live in his avatar body. Despite popular belief, Jake did read books, more than just the manual. He needed to learn about this new world. Although he did not possess the language knowledge, he knew of their beliefs in their deity and what she could do, even if he couldn't remember said deity's name. Jake remembers these few words from Grace, "Everything is connected through [!@$%], the Omaticaya believe she can connect them to the dead, to other living beings, to the forest itself, [#$$%] is a deity that they strongly believe in because she is able to make 'miracles'". If said deity can make miracles, perhaps she can allow Jake to walk again. 

Jake was shoved down before the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan. Finally free from arms holding him, Jake stood on his feet, and looked around him. 'The tree's a lot bigger than on the inside.' The Olo'eyktan and Tsahik appear before him. 

"This is Tsahik and Olo'eyktan, they are leaders of the People," Tsu'tey explains. 

"Oh, well, hello sir, ma'am," he reaches to shake their hands, which agitates the whole clan. 

"Who are you? Where do you come from?" asks Eytukan. 

"My name is Jake Sully, I bet you can guess where I am from," Jake chuckles.

Mo'at circles him, making Jake wary. Then she pricks him with a needle of some kind before licking it. "Why have you come here?" she demands. 

"..." Jake isn't sure to answer, he wasn't here to learn, nor did he want to, he just wanted to feel connected with nature and run, 'Damn, I sound like a fucking hippie.' His thoughts keeping him from answering, so he lowers his head.

Mo'at creeps closer to him, "Why have you come here?" she asks more softly, using her hand to lift his head so she can see his eyes, "You did not come here to learn like GraceAugustine, nor did you come to destroy, so why have you come here?"

"...I...came to run," Jake answers truthfully.

"Run?" Eytukan repeats.

Jake's answer sets off an explosion of curiosity towards him, all the Omaticaya are baffled by him. Tsu'tey and Neytiri just look at each other, their silent looks asking, 'Did this Dreamwalker say he came here to just run?' 

"Well-I..." Jake rubs his neck, "In my other body, I can no longer run due to a past injury, I have very limited movement...but with this body, I can run, I can climb, I can move," with every word, a smile comes to Jake's face, "I can jump high enough to grab high branches, I can crouch low enough to feel the dirt in my hands, I can feel the wind on my face as I run my highest speeds, I can feel the ground shift under my weight. I can just do so much more with this body." 

For the first time, Jake didn't feel like he had to hide his intentions from someone. He felt at peace being able to be this honest to someone else, even if they were the spirit guide for a whole clan. His smile staying on his face as he spoke about his experience. He felt very happy to be able to express those moments to her. 

"I see," Mo'at says. She doesn't understand everything Jake says, but she understands that Jake has felt very caged in his real body, but with his false body, he is able to be free. She begins to see Jake very much like a child, someone who loves to venture and seek things out. She thinks she will be hearing a lot of complaining about Jake from her clan and husband. She can see that Jake is a very free-embodied person who has not been able to grow or has been made to stop growing. "You will learn to be one of the People," She announces.

The decision shook the People. No Dreamwalker has learned to be one of the People, many have tried and failed. The closest one to passing was Grace, but due to past conflicts, she was never accepted. 

"What are you?" Eytukan asks, although his frown is deep, he came to understand that his wife will make decisions without him and it was best to just follow it. 

"What am I?" Jake reiterates. 

"Hunter? Crafter? What are you?" he huffs.

"Oh! I was a warrior," Jake answers.

<A warrior! Hah! I can beat his ass in a heartbeat!> Tsu'tey laughs. Jake glares at him, 'I don't know what he said, but I know he's making fun of me.'

"You will learn our ways," Eytukan orders, "Tsu'tey will train you."

<What!? I-> Tsu'tey argues, vehemently against not training Jake.

<You will! Tsu'tey te Rongloa Ateyitan! You are our best warrior and you think you cannot train a Dreamwalker!?> Eytukan lectures.

<Ewya has already given a sign. JakeSully will learn to be one of the People, and if he can not, he shall be free to go> Mo'at informs, <We will not kill him unless needed>"Tsu'tey will train you in our ways, and my daughter, Neytiri, will assist him, do not fail us, Jake Sully."

<Ma! You never told me this! I don't want to!> Neytiri shouts.

<I just did. You will help Tsu'tey in teaching Jake our ways> Mo'at orders.

"Aish!" both Tsu'tey and Neytiri complain. Some of the hunters and Neytiri's friends laugh at their misfortune. They both glare at Jake, if looks could kill, Jake would be dead a thousand times. Jake just does a nervous chuckle, avoiding eye contact. 

--

After that fiasco, Tsu'tey takes Jake to change him out of his army clothes, which are torn up. Tsu'tey hands him a plain loincloth, one of the extras the weavers made. Jake holds it in his hands, he's seen movies with people in loincloths, but has never seen how they put it on. So, he messes around with it. He gets the general idea of the loincloth and how its supposed to be put on, but he's unsure of how comfortable he's be in it. 

"Stop playing with it and put it on!" Tsu'tey yells. 

"Okay, okay, I was just seeing how I was supposed," Jake concedes and starts taking off his clothes, or what's left of it. 

His shirt was on the upper half from his run from the thanator, his pants torn from the viperwolves. His braids were in a mess. He felt dirt in all areas. So he stops after taking off his shirt.

"Do you have a place I can bathe first? And any ointment for viperwolf scratches?" Jake asks.

Tsu'tey takes a look at him, eyes moving up and down, and then sighs, "Follow me." He walks out to the stairs. Jake follows. Once they reach the bottom, Tsu'tey takes him a watering hole nearby with a small waterfall. Jake places the loincloth on a tree root near the water but out of the way where it won't get wet. He takes off his pants and undergarments and begins to dip into the water. Tsu'tey just stares. Most Dreamwalkers would ask for them to look away while they take off their cloths, but Jake does none of this. It's a bit eye-opening at how Jake doesn't care for "personal space" as the others put it. He notices that Jake did not undo any of his braids, probably because he does not know how to. 

Jake is washing as much dirt off as he can, also taking care to wash out anything from his minor injuries, an old habit of his, as he's seen too many people die from small scratches due to infection. He tries but fails, to wash his braids. The big braid around the queue makes it hard to untangle his hair with his fingers. He hears a huff, before a splash of someone entering the water. 

"I will teach you this once," Tsu'tey says, "The <queue> is not completely vulnerable, underneath the braid is a layer of skin that holds it together," Tsu'tey undoes Jake's braid and begins to untangle it, "The skin is still delicate, so be careful when untangling your braid. It will affect you if it is injured, and it will affect any bonds you try to make." Tsu'tey finishes untangling Jake's hair and starts to braid it, "I will show you once, how to braid around your <queue>, only loved ones are supposed to do this." Tsu'tey braids around the queue softly but tightly. It hold together better than the braid he started with. Tsu'tey takes out a knife and begins grooming Jake, shaving the sides, knowing Jake will be better with less hair around the sides. Afterwards, he does many small and big braids, tying them back to keep out of the face and away from the ears. It takes a while, but Jake is grateful that Tsu'tey is doing this rather than leaving him to his own devices. 

They leave the watering hole for dry land. Jake grabs the loincloth and attempts to put it on. He isn't sure how to roll it or wrap it.

"You are like a child," Tsu'tey complains, "I will show you once." 

Jake looks away bashfully. He's never had to put one on before. Tsu'tey explains how to roll the loincloth into its intended form, how to wrap it around his tail, and cover his genitals. Jake is blushing like a virgin by the time Tsu'tey is done. Although Jake has changed in front his old marine crew, he hasn't had someone close to his junk before, not unless it was for sexual reasons. After the dressing lesson, Jake finally looked presentable. They head back to Hometree, a little late to dinner. Tsu'tey teaches him the different foods they have available, from fruits to nuts, and cooked meat and bugs. Jake was in awe. It was basically a buffet for him since he hasn't eaten much throughout the day. He watches what Tsu'tey grabs, and gets the same thing. A teylu, a small piece of hexapede meat, a common fruit he likes, a few nuts, and so on. Tsu'tey is aware that Jake is basically copying him and doesn't mind it. He understands that Jake does not know what to eat. Afterwards, they sit down, although Jake does end up stepping on someone's tail, and begin eating. Jake mimics Tsu'tey, like a child. The hunters find this hilarious, chuckling amongst themselves. A glare from Tsu'tey makes them stop immediately. 

A young child walks over to Jake and Tsu'tey. He tilts his head, observing Jake from up close. Jake grins and says hello, making the child giggle and run off. Jake looks in envy, wanting to run around too. Tsu'tey notices.

"Why can you not heal yourself in your other body and run with that one?" Tsu'tey asks, breaking the silence.

"Because I can't afford to," Jake answers, unsure of how else to explain.

"Afford? Like trade?" Tsu'tey raises an eyebrow.

"Kind of," Jake shrugs, "I don't have anything to trade for the healing, it would take my whole life to trade for something like that," he chuckles solemnly.

"That's...and there's nothing you can do?" Tsu'tey is speechless, he's never heard of something being untradeable, it must be quite a healing process. 

"Basically, this is my last chance to do anything right now," Jake explains, "When I go to sleep tonight, all the scientists and leaders will be interested about where I'm at, what I've done, and tell me what I need to accomplish."

"What do you need to accomplish?" Tsu'tey inquires. Although Jake is learning to be one of the People, he is still an enemy.

"You're gonna hate what I'm about to say," Jake smirks, and after a pause, his smirk disappears, "They want me to get you guys to move out of your home."

All the Na'vi turn to him. The new information burning in their ears, whispers of why Jake told them, what were they supposed to do, why did they need to move. The food goes cold. 

Chapter Text

"We must go to Olo'eyktan, we must inform him," Tsu'tey pulls Jake to his feet, dragging him away, and bringing him to where Eytukan sits, "Tell him."

"The humans want me to drive you away from your home so they can take out the metal underneath this tree," Jake explains.

Before Eytukan says anything Mo'at asks, "Why are you telling us this before the day has even come?"

"...Because I believe you may be able to do something for me," Jake admits.

"Do...what?" Tsu'tey asks. They all look at Jake in question, to explain.

"You...have a deity, right?" 

"Eywa," Mo'at corrects.

"Right, Ey-eywa," Jake rubs the back of his neck, and then sighs, "Can she make it possible for me to stay in this body?" 

The silence is loud. 

"Stay in that body?" Mo'at inquires, wanting more information of why a Dreamwalker would want to stay in the false body rather their real one, but she comes to understand why for Jake. A person who is trapped in their real body. "It is possible."

"Really!?" The glee on Jake's face is as bright as the morning sun. 

Tsu'tey, Neytiri, and Eytukan look at the two like they grew two heads. A silent discussion amongst themselves as they try to figure out what to do with the other humans. 

"But, it is only if you are part of the People," Mo'at explains, "I will not do this for an outsider, even one with a sign from Eywa."

"Right, right, I get that," Jake shows a determined face, "But when I do, not if, when. When I become one of the People, I can have you transfer me into this body, yes?"

"Yes, it's possible," Mo'at explains, sipping some of her tea, "But I will explain the process after you explain why you are telling us the humans are going to attack." 

"There's a rock underneath your home they want, a large rock that's very special to them," Jake explains in laymen terms, "They need this rock for trade, and they will not stop until they have. They will tear down anything and everything precious to you to have this rock."

"All for a rock?" Eytukan asks in disbelief.

"Rocks are very special to humans, you can do nearly everything with it. Trade, build, create, and live," Jake explains, "That's why they want the rock."

"Then we will fight!" Tsu'tey yells.

"Then you will die!" Jake shouts back. 

"We will discuss more of this in the morning, we must rest," Mo'at suggests, "This new information is too much, we will rest and discuss more in the morning after Jake's training."

Everyone agrees silently. Afterall, everything has happened so fast after Jake's arrival. First, there was Eywa's sign regarding Jake, Mo'at has yet to interpret its full meaning. Second, Jake was just brought to Hometree and needs to adjust to the Omaticaya lifestyle. Lastly, they have yet to understand Jake as a Dreamwalker warrior nor understand why he has come to them.

Tsu'tey shows Jake to a hammock high in the tree. It was unnerving to see. Tsu'tey went to the one next to Jake, showing him how to climb into the hammock. It was interesting to see how the hammock moved when touched. After getting comfortable, Jake closed his eyes. 

When he woke up in the transfer cabin, he groans and opens the cabin, sitting up. Grace is immediately at his face.

"Is the avatar safe!?" Grace exclaims. 

"Yeah," Jake huffs, "and I'm tired as shit."

Norm brings him a small dinner, nothing like what he had at Hometree. Jake was going to keep it a secret that he was at Hometree. He eats his dinner, bland. Jake looks at his legs, then his wheelchair. He lowers himself to the wheelchair and shifts his legs to sit comfortably, even if he can't even feel them. He shows a neutral face the whole time, not exposing his disappointment in being in his human body. Not revealing how caged he feels in his wheelchair. After eating he rolls to his bed unit for some actual sleep. 

---

Jake wakes up early, an old habit from when he was in service. He asks for Norm to set him up with the the transfer cabin, not wanting to stay any longer in his human body. Norm complies, he thinks its best because the avatar can't be too safe lifeless right now. He doesn't question Jake or ask where to meet up. He just follows Jake and sets him up at his assigned cabin. Grace shows a little too late, just as the door closes, she asks him where to meet up. She doesn't get an answer. 

---

When Jake awakes in his avatar body, he's a little disorientated at first. It takes him a few minutes to realize that his legs work and that he can move freely. He opens up the hammock, climbing out, and walks down the stairs. He didn't think to find Tsu'tey, the sun was barely up. He just wanted to take his time walking down the stairs. A small smile comes to his face. Right now, the smallest thing about walking brings the biggest surge of happiness to Jake. Once he reaches the bottom, he notices some of the kids playing around the trees, using the branches to swing around, climb, and jump. Although Jake is older by a mile, he is still tempted. So, he asks to join them in their little game. The game was who could jump the furthest from branch to branch without falling and without a running start. It was all leg power. Jake learned the hard way not to get a running start, the children would use simple English like "yes" or "no" to explain to him. Jake fell a lot, but the joy of having a simple game be this hard for him was not going to discourage him easily. As it went on, Jake became better and more proficient. He laughed and smiled with the children. 

Far away, Mo'at and Eytukan observed him. 

<He's like a child,> Eytukan fusses.

<Yes, and like a child, his cup is empty, ready to be filled,> Mo'at states. Her favor is noticeable. It baffled Eytukan a little. 

<Why are you so sure he will become one of the People?> he doesn't understand what makes her so sure. He heard Jake's story, why he wants to live in his false body. He empathizes, but as the clan leader, he has learned to be hard and strong in his decisions. He learned from humans that not everything is as it seems. He is still trying to process what Jake has revealed to him. He doesn't understand why Jake told them this information, given it could've given him an upper hand, but then a thought comes to him, <Did he...want to trade that information to know if it was possible to live in his false body without having to dream?>

<Yes> Mo'at smiles. Her gaze is warm as she looks at him. That look is all he needs to understand that his mate is seeing Jake more than as an outsider, like a mother looking at her child, <You will notice with time, my love, that Jake is very different from the other humans and Dreamwalkers. He walks in that body, like he only lives once instead of twice.> 

And then they hear laughter where Jake and the children are. The game of jumping tree branches actually started off as training for young hunters, to gain balance and gain strength in their legs, but it became a game when young children started copying it, since then, it was less of training and more like a game. Jake had fallen many times, but jumped the farthest. He didn't know how to use his tail to gain stability, but as time went on, he fell less and less. His body learning new habits, new motor skills. Eytukan could then understand why Mo'at says Jake's cup is empty. 

The hooves of pa'li coming from a different side of the forest gains the clan's attention, the morning hunters have come back, the leader was Tsu'tey. Tsu'tey is always the leader of the hunting troops. His lead always makes the group come back bountiful. Jake jumps down from his branch, following the other children back to Hometree. It's his first time seeing the hunters come back from their hunt. Jake's interested in what's for breakfast. The clan gathers around, giving their usual greeting of their hand extending from their forehead. Jake want's to copy, but doesn't. He's not sure it would be right to. 

Tsu'tey notices him from a mile away. He's the only one not doing the greeting.

<You have your work cut out for you> one of the hunters say, gesturing to Jake with his head. 

<Shut it> Tsu'tey shuts them down. Although he was strict, he was a good teacher and many of his students became great hunters and warriors.

After he gets everything situated with the after-hunt process, he walks to Jake. Mo'at stops him, <It will not be as hard as you think, as long as you know the right way to train him, it will be easy as jumping off a cliff.> Tsu'tey nods. He understands, it wouldn't be his first time training someone. Once he reaches Jake, he does his greeting, Jake just tilts his head, making Tsu'tey click his tongue.

<Oel ngati kameie> Tsu'tey says slowly, "It means I see you. If you want to see, you must teach yourself, come."

Tsu'tey decides that it is time for a language lesson. Jake will have a hard time becoming one of the People, if he can not even speak as one.

"We will start with my language as we wait to eat," they sit in an open area.

Tsu'tey begins to teach Jake his body parts first. Every so often, Tsu'tey will call him a skxawng which Jake very much learns to mean moron.

---

'Pa'li are nothing like horses' Jake concludes, having fallen for the fifth time in a row. He was all muddy now. 

"Jake," Tsu'tey states, "Think harder, do not just think forward!"

"Ugh" Jake groans. That's the third time he's heard Tsu'tey yelled at him for not thinking harder. 'Think hard about what!? I just need the pa'li to go forward at a slower pace for me!...wait...Oh my god, I am so dumb.'

For the sixth time, Jake mounts the pa'li, who's supposedly gentle. This time, he thinks about how he wants the pa'li to move, not just where. With a deep breath, Jake steadies himself on the pa'li, and thinks 'Slow pace forward'. The pa'li moves forward slowly unlike the last five times where it went into a sprint right off the bat. Jake thinks about where he wants to go in this pace, and the pa'li follows. This small start made Jake think about how the tswin works. It wasn't just a bond, it was more like a merge? Where two become one and feel as one being instead of two, quite an eye-opener. One thing Jake knows, he's gonna have to think a lot smarter and more intricately, simple thinking wasn't going to work. 

After his self-reflection, he stops in front of Tsu'tey. Tsu'tey is proud on the inside, Jake learned very quickly, what was instinct for the People, was an outside concept to many Dreamwalkers who have tried to become one of the People. Tsu'tey just nods to show his approval of Jake, who beams with a smile.

"Next you will learn to run with her," Tsu'tey says.

"Yes!" Jake enthusiastically exclaims. His ears preen at Tsu'tey, although Jake didn't hear any explicit praise, he knew Tsu'tey was proud of him. 

Tsu'tey got on his own pa'li and had Jake follow him at a faster pace, still walking but like a fast walk. Jake nearly slipped off a few times if he wasn't paying attention to balance. 

"So when can I get a saddle?" Jake suddenly asks during the ride.

"Saddle?" the english term is not familiar to Tsu'tey.

"The thing you use to sit on the pa'li comfortably."

< A saddle> "You get one when you can ride better than you are now."

"Oh. How long is that going to be?" Jake inquires.

"It will take however long you need, why so many questions?" Tsu'tey isn't annoyed by his questions, but wants to know why Jake asks so many, talks so much. 

"To make conversation, I would like to become one of the People sooner rather than later," Jake's determination isn't surprising after what Tsu'tey has learned about him, but it was unnerving to hear. 

<You will become one of the People when you prove yourself,> Tsu'tey mutters. 

"What was that?" Jake didn't hear.

"Nothing, lets continue with today's training," Tsu'tey dismisses. 

---

The day was long and hard. Jake learned basic maneuvers like how to climb trees, how to move his tail to assist him in not just balance, but also for speed, grappling, or holding light items. Tsu'tey also taught him how to stretch himself in the mornings to maintain flexibility. There was also comparing how the Na'vi held knives and how Jake held his knife. Except for Jake's extra finger, it was pretty similar. Tsu'tey explained, to the best of his ability, how they fought in hand-to-hand combat, there wasn't a form or anything, because the body must be ready for any unexpected events and to use the surroundings to best predators, prey, or enemies. They did a small training session in the forest, where Jake learned that Tsu'tey was more unpredictable than he thought. One moment it was a fist to his face, and then he was thrown over the shoulder, and pinned to his stomach with a knife at his neck, at least the knife was carved from wood and dull. 

"You are stiff," Tsu'tey surmised, "Your actions are slow, no flow. You need work."

"Yeah yeah, I know," Jake pursed his lips, "Just for the record, I haven't had a fully moving body for like ages!"

"Yet you run through the forest like nantang," Tsu'tey retorts, "You climb like syaksyuk, you charge into combat like angtsik."

"Alright, alright, I'll work on it," Jake acquiesced. 

Tsu'tey gives a short nod in approval, "...You have been in this body a long time."

"I guess so?" Jake questions.

"No...You...Are you not going to care for your other body?" Tsu'tey hints.

Its late afternoon, Jake's real body hasn't eaten anything but a light, very light, breakfast. By contrast, the avatar body has been well-maintained throughout the day. After Tsu'tey's question, Jake was meaning to avoid this type of conversation. He rubs the back of his neck, unsure if he wants to answer. Deep down, Jake knows that he's been avoiding his human body due to his permanent disability. On the surface, it's because he doesn't want to talk to anyone at the RDA, but he also doesn't want to be stuck in his human body. He doesn't want to feel the disassociation of not feeling his legs, and the transition feels like waking up from a dream or waking up to a nightmare. The inability to feel anything but phantom itches from the waist down. He hates it. In the deep depths of his mind, he hates his human body due to its limitations. 

But another side of Jake knows. It's not just because he hates his human body, it's also because he could feel a deeper connection to the outside world with his avatar, more than his human body could ever feel. The deep connection he feels, he thinks it's related to Eywa, but he's unsure. He hasn't had the opportunity to talk about this feeling with Mo'at yet. He doesn't know if he's allowed to. All he knows is that when he touches the dirt of Pandora, he can feel the ground breathe. When he touches the trees, he feels their connection to other trees and the paths they make. When he touches the plants, he feels them down to the roots and how they extend to each other. When he makes the tsaheylu with the pa'li, he feels like he's one with the animal, but he want's to make connections with other animals, see if it's the same, if he could feel the connections of the limbs, lungs, and heart. Finally, he feels free. He feels like nothing could hold him down when he's in his avatar, not left in a cage to watch time go by, or left alone with his dark thoughts. He feels as though he could connect to the nature of this world and it will allow him to fly. 

After a long pause, Tsu'tey didn't think he'd get an answer from Jake, but Jake answers, "I will...I will take care of my other body...just until I can finally live in this one."

"Then you should go eat in that body and return," Tsu'tey decides, "Go, I will wait here with this body to protect it."

"...Thanks," Jake reluctantly agrees. Then he lays down comfortably and closes his eyes.

---

He wakes up in his link cabin, slowly opening the cover. Grace and Norm are in front of him. He holds up a hand, "Can I get something to eat before you start to question me?" 

Grace gives a nod to an assistant nearby to get fetch Jake some food. 

"Is the avatar safe?" she inquires again.

"Yes," Jake answers monotonously. 

"Where are you?" The questions start.

"I'm in the forest somewhere," Jake gives half-truths, he wants to keep his plans a secret for now.

"Are you near the Omaticaya?"

"No, I saw the big tree when I climbed the first day and turned the other way."

"Can you navigate back to where you were before you ran off?"

"I don't think so."

The food comes, 'Thank god, I'm starving.' Jake starts to eat as Grace asks him questions.

"Is there anything that stands out around you that you can use to help us find you?"

"...There's thick trees and large foliage, even I don't think that's prominent enough, can I just eat and go back to try and keep my avatar alive?" Jake snaps. 

Grace pauses. She empathizes with Jake being in an unknown area with no one to rely on, and it probably pisses him off that he can't communicate with anyone, "Alright, but let us know when you do find something that way we can get you out." She sends him off after he's done eating. Jake's been in his link chamber the longest out of all the avatar riders, almost beating her record already and it's only been 2 days now. 

Jake sits back down into his link chamber, closing his eyes, and reconnects back to his avatar.

---

During the time Jake was out, Tsu'tey started carefully examining the avatar. He poked at his face, lifted Jake's arm, he even took a look at the tswin and how it was when Jake left the body, it was still moving. He observed Jake's muscle mass. He was heavy for a male Na'vi. Most were lean, meant to be fast and flexible, but Jake's was muscular, heavier, although he could become flexible, his body was thicker, yet somehow soft. Tsu'tey poked at Jake's pec, it was soft compared to other male Na'vi, his legs were also more muscular, thicker, not as lean as Na'vi males. The five fingers confused him, he did not understand why there was an extra middle finger, or why there were three middle toes. Tsu'tey thinks Jake has a lot of body parts that are unnecessary to have. 

After a bit, Jake came back, although a bit disorientated. Tsu'tey notices how it take Jake a while to figure out that his legs can move, than he can sit up with out having to use his arms. He sees how Jake rolls his ankles and wiggle his toes, how he bends his knees one after the other, all of this is done silently. After a brief pause, Tsu'tey calls out, "Did you eat well?" 

Jake's ears perk up, remembering that he isn't alone, "...uh..yeah, it was okay." The food was bland as ever, that's what you get with food that has to be preserved for space and very long travels. The truth was, the only food that tasted good was the food he received at Hometree. 

"Let us head back to kelutral, the travel will make us hunger," Tsu'tey announces.

"Race you back!" Jake challenges. He ran ahead, not giving Tsu'tey the chance to understand.

But Tsu'tey had already ran the moment Jake finished his sentence. They were going toe to toe. Jake bounded through the forest as if he lived his whole life in it. He leapt over exposed roots with ease, running around trees that blocked his path. Tsu'tey was amazed, but he was not about to let his student beat him in a race. Unlike Jake, Tsu'tey did live his whole in the forest, he knew what to avoid and how to avoid it. He knew the path home like the back of his mind. There was a part he knew that Jake would have trouble with and it was narrow bridge made by thick, extended tree roots and fallen trees. It did not allow for fast travel and had many gaps, but Tsu'tey knew how to run it, unlike Jake. But surprisingly, Jake ran through it as well, chasing behind Tsu'tey's tail. 

The grins on both their faces while they raced was evident as they ran against one another, but Jake was faster on solid land. As if he was possessed by a palulukan, he burst in speed, passing Tsu'tey, who's eyes widened in amazement but grinned and pushed further. The forest opening to kelutral was close, and then Tsu'tey played dirty. He pulled a bit on Jake's tail, causing him to falter. Tsu'tey grinned. 

"Hey! That's cheating!" Jake yells in protest.

"Everything must be taken into advantage when challenged JakeSully," Tsu'tey grins in winning the race. 

They had arrived out of breath, as if they were being chased by a dozen palulukan. The rest of the tribe, after understanding what happened laughs at them in merriment. The moment is joyous. After everyone calms down from the excitement, they get ready to eat. During the late lunch, Neytiri formally introduces herself to Jake, how she will take over her mother's position in the tribe and how she will teach him their culture and how they connect to Eywa. Tsu'tey was there listening, nodding with her. But Jake isn't paying much attention, all he knows that his questions could be answered through Neytiri. 

Chapter Text

Jake's day started early. Grace was still trying to find out where Jake is, and Jake is "trying" to help but it's hard when everywhere he looks, its just green. Every morning he's sent back in his link chamber, and he hides his joy very easily with how tired he is every morning. But on the other side, when he's in his avatar, he starts his day with a smile. He's adapted pretty well between going back and forth between his bodies, getting faster at moving his legs without feeling dissociated. Today, he was going to train with Neytiri. Today he was going to ask her his questions regarding the soul transfer. If he ever got the opportunity to. 

First, he was stuck learning Na'vi for a good hour. Neytiri taught him how to speak Na'vi, such as a complete sentences, right pronunciation, how to address the People, and how to give prayers to Eywa. She taught him how every role in the clan is important and that it was important to know more than just hunt. Even the hunters had to know how to butcher, cook, sew, and do first aid. He learned that children were not allowed to wander far into the forest, and were always supervised by an older clan member, usually one that already has a role within the clan or a parent of one of the children. She showed him around kelutral, which was handy as he's only ever been in his hammock or outside. She taught him their culture, what they believed in, how they went about their life. 

"The Great Mother provides for us Jake," she says wisely, "and so we maintain the balance of life for her. We do not take more than we need."

Jake could understand. This philosophy was one that failed to achieve success on Earth. He was determined to live a life where that didn't happen on Pandora. She showed him the paths around the forest and how to know how to come back to Hometree if he ever got lost. The People leave signs, small enough for those who know what they are looking for, but not enough to attract attention. She showed him the territories around Hometree, where the nantang are, how to avoid the palulukan territory, and where yerik are most sighted to have an easy hunt, but is not recommended to constantly hunt there.

"Why not?" Jake didn't understand why you wouldn't hunt where it's easiest.

"Like all creatures, they will adapt, and learn that this area is not safe, and they communicate it to others," Neytiri enlightens him. 

Jake is amazed with the world around him. When he was with Tsu'tey, he learned survival skills, but Neytiri introduced the whole world to him. She taught him how the forest provides for The People and that they thrive because of Eywa. To that end, Jake never got to ask Neytiri any of his questions because he was so busy with learning about the forest and about the world they live in. After his whole morning goes by, he has to link back to his human body to eat, it was a routine that Tsu'tey made Jake do. Without Jake realizing, Tsu'tey noticed how reluctant he is to go back to his human body for anything. For this reason, he informed Mo'at, Eytukan, and Neytiri about Jake's reluctance to keep his other body healthy. Mo'at understood why Jake feels that way but worries because she knows how the soul transfer works. Either way, all three quietly inform the rest of the clan about Jake's predicament without him knowing. It was a very late meeting where Jake had already linked back to the RDA. Many individuals in the clan didn't understand why they should worry about a Dreamwalker, but after understanding Jake's fragility and there were many who had become fond of Jake, everyone chipped in to make sure Jake went back to eat and care about his original body. In this way, Jake was taken care of by the People. Many would remind him to make sure to do hygiene care on his original body, since he usually links up early in the morning or goes back very late at night. After many reminders and lectures from Na'vi that were parents, Jake finally started managing his human body as he should. Jake fondly thinks about the lectures he has received, making him nostalgic about his late family on Earth, how he's the only one alive out of his whole family. Of course, Jake was a brat about it in the beginning. He'd get lectured from parents, daily reminders from Tsu'tey and Neytiri, but what really made him do it more often were the children. Even as an adult, being made fun of by children is pretty embarrassing, and parents using the "Look even so-and-so is better than you at bathing" line really ticked him off, so now he does better hygiene routines with his human body. 

---

The days have gone by quick. Jake still doesn't inform them that he's at Hometree. He doesn't want to be the connection for Grace and the Omaticaya. He doesn't want to be the connection between Quaritch and the destruction of Hometree. No matter how many questions are thrown his way, he still answers that he doesn't know anything is trying to make his way back to the RDA. So far, Quaritch has given up trying to get him to say anything and has given up kissing his ass. Grace is still trying but despairs at his answers. The RDA still allows him to link up because the avatar costs a lot of money and they weren't about to let it die too fast. Jake is asked to provide any new knowledge of foliage or if he thinks he is in a new part of the forest that isn't mapped out yet. He doesn't have a lot of answers seeing as he's gone for most of the day. All Jake thinks is that once he's part of the People, he'll have a group kidnap his human body to deliver it to Hometree and they can start the soul transferring process. 

Once linked back to his avatar, he looks for Tsu'tey. They have grown close over time. Tsu'tey has started speaking more Na'vi language to him, to get him used to it. Jake has gotten so used to listening to Na'vi that he almost forgets English. Everyday the People speak Na'vi to him, and everyday he learns a new word with a new meaning. He learns their ways, how they walk and how they speak. He also begins to believe in Eywa after the many times an atokirina floats towards him, usually when Mo'at is not there, ironically. The first time he noticed, it wasn't just one, it was like a horde. He was on a late night patrol with Tsu'tey and an atokirina floated towards him. At first he swat it away and then got yelled by Tsu'tey, so he just stayed still. After the first one landed on him, more came, and they all floated on him lightly, making him a little ticklish. He was basically a big atokirina for a few minutes before they all flew away from him. Tsu'tey dragged him to Mo'at, informing her of what he saw. Mo'at had a look of wonderment. She interprets Jake to be a big change to their clan, things that were set in stone will change. Whether it be good or bad will depend on Eywa.

The second time it happened, Jake was lost and Neytiri was not going to show him the way to kelutral because he had to learn. As a result, an atokirina floated in front of him, Jake just followed it by instinct. Neytiri observed from a distance. Next thing he knew, he was near Hometree where he could recognize the forest, and the atokirina floated away. Neytiri dragged him to Mo'at, explaining what she just witnessed. Mo'at smiled softly, interpreting it as Eywa showing the way as she usually did for lost children.

The last time it happened, he was with a group of children supervised by an adult. They were playing in a watering hold near Hometree, when an atokirina floated near his face, revealing a group of nantang prowling between the foliage. Jake quickly alarmed the children and adult with a sharp yip he learned that meant danger. He dragged the children out of the water to safety on land, quickly pushing them up the trees. The adult let out an aggressive hiss like a warning and intimidation tactic. Jake stayed in the trees with the children, taking count of who was there and if they were safe. They were missing one child. The same atokirina floated around to show him the direction where the child was, she was still in the water, swimming to land as fast as she could. The supervising adult quickly became aware as well, making the hisses more aggressive to try and scare off the nantang, but they didn't care anymore. The pack was beginning to hunt the Na'vi girl swimming to shore. Many nantang got into the water to get a bite at her. The Na'vi adult quickly started using her knife to thwart the nearby nantang. Jake informed the children to stay in the tree, he was going to grab the little girl so the adult could fight freely. He learned from one of his night trips with Neytiri that an adult Na'vi can fend off a small pack of nantang. The little girl was running to where Jake was, Jake knew if he just waited at the tree, she would die before she ever got there, so he ran to her, hoping to grab her before the nantangs could. Luckily he did, just as one pounced to her, he grabbed her by her arms and ran back to the tree where the rest of the children stayed high in the branches. The adult used this chance to scare off the nantang now that no one was in danger. 

<Thank Eywa> Jake and the adult said at the same time. 

Once they were sure all the nantang were away, they all quickly made their way back to Hometree. The adult told the story to the whole clan at dinner, Mo'at was intrigued. The Great Mother helped them overcome a great challenge. She helped Jake again in overcoming an obstacle. The adults all said their thanks to Eywa and Jake, because if it weren't for him, a young pair of parents would be crying over their young daughter. Many days had passed since that incident, the clan had never seen so many signs from Eywa within a short period of time. After these three incidents, especially the last one, Jake began to believe in Eywa himself. Eywa was looking over them in her own ways, and he would be stupid to not notice. 

Today, Tsu'tey was going to teach him how to hunt. It will mainly be him observing Tsu'tey for the most part. Jake already has most of the basics down. He's learned how to track different animals and the different callouts the Omaticaya have to inform others during the hunt. Jake is a fast learner, and Tsu'tey praises him for it in a very Tsu'tey-like manner. Tsu'tey answers all of Jake's questions about hunting and what he can expect. Tsu'tey tries to explain to him about the first kill, but all Tsu'tey can say is, "It's like a sign from Eywa, unexpected". Jake was confused at first, but after many lessons with Neytiri, he begins to understand a little. Neytiri explains to him how everything is connected and the People's deep connection to the forest. Neytiri also gives him her opinion about why he feels connected to the forest, granted she thinks its mainly because he is in his avatar, but Jake knows its more than that for him. Tsu'tey brought them to their usual training spot.

<We will go hunting> Tsu'tey explains.

<How far are we going?> Jake asks after nodding. 

<Not far,> Tsu'tey smirks. 

And then he takes off, running deep into the forest. 

"Hey!" Jake exclaims in surprise and dashes off behind Tsu'tey. 

They run for quite some time until Tsu'tey climbs up. Hoisted up by holding a vine, his feet propped against the tree, Tsu'tey looks down at Jake with a wide smile. 

<We must be quick and nimble! No prey waits for the hunter to be ready to jump!> Tsu'tey shouts, <If you run faster than when you were caught, we should be able to make it there before lunch!> 

He twists back, using the vine to propel himself forward on the leaning tree. Jake huffs with a smile, finding his own way up the tree. Over the days, Jake had gotten better at climbing in and around the trees. His actions nimble and swift. He doesn't hesitate to land his feet on the entwining branches, not fearing the gaps. Jake rarely even looks down to see where his feet land, he trusts his body to make the jumps, to run forward, and never wanders his eyes away from Tsu'tey's back. His muscle mass is larger, but Jake does try to soften his landing, as stealth training with Tsu'tey is not easy to pass. He still gets caught by Tsu'tey every time. Tsu'tey glances backwards every so often, making sure Jake is still behind him. After a quick confirmation, he continues running, using a low hanging branch to swing himself forward, he continues forward. Jake watches every movement Tsu'tey makes, although the environment is gradually becoming unfamiliar, he still presses forward, using the same branch to swing himself over the gap. Right afterwards, he sees Tsu'tey falls, his eyes widen, without stopping he accelerates to leap off the edge, rearranging his bow and arrows to his back as he runs, and he jumps. 

Tsu'tey's body weighs down the large leafs, allowing him to descend slowly and elegantly. He waits for Jake at the bottom. Jake attempts to do the same. He doesn't make the first or second leaf, but gets the hang of it by the third and fourth leaf, nearly making his landing easy, if he didn't land on a large mushroom, making him lose balance, and causing him to roll down to the forest floor at the feet of Tsu'tey. Said person is trying not to laugh his heart out. 

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it out," Jake exasperates, "I almost landed it."

<Indeed you almost did,> Tsu'tey admits, <But you didn't, I hope you learn from this failure.> Tsu'tey smirks in the end, chuckling a little.

Jake's eye twitches in irritation, <Hmph, anyways, are we almost there?> Jake turns his head away from Tsu'tey, his ears and tails flicking around, showing his irritation. 

Tsu'tey reveals a small smile while Jake isn't looking, <We are, try not to get caught by anything.>

Tsu'tey walks forward. His footsteps suddenly quiets, carefully moving about. Jake follows, understanding they are already in the area, taking his bow from the ground, he makes sure its all good as he follows Tsu'tey, and begins to observe his surroundings. Jake recalls his training regarding trails, scents, and what to identify. Tsu'tey is confident as he walks forward, his ears intaking surrounding noises. Somehow the forest is so quiet, creating somewhat of a ambience for Jake. He takes a bit to just close his eyes and listen. Tsu'tey notices. Every now and then, he will catch a glimpse of Jake connecting with the forest. He doesn't know how he knows, it could be how Jake closes his eyes, his ears turning to take in small sounds. It could be how his toes press into the dirt or his hands wondering to nearby leaves. It could be the few atokirina that float near Jake, as if sensing him. 

When Tsu'tey looks at Jake while Jake connects with the forest, the sun lands on Jake, giving him an ethereal glow when Jake slowly opens his eyes, as if the forest was hugging him. The sight makes Tsu'tey still. 

"Sorry, I did it again," Jake rubs his neck. 

<It is fine, being able to sense Eywa's presence is a beautiful gift,> Tsu'tey commends, <Let's keep going> 

They walk on a forest path, Jake doesn't recognize it. He knows to the south-east is nantang territory, the north-east is palulukan territory, the pa'li and yerik wander from territory to territory. The angtsik graze in different parts, sometimes east to west and sometimes north to south. Where they are at, it seems to be like an intersection of all territories and migratory periods. Jake is immediately on alert after that realization, staring straight at Tsu'tey's back. 

<Where are we?> Jake asks warily in a whisper.

<You have already guessed, and if you are as smart as I know, then you already know the answer> Tsu'tey riddles. 

<Ugh, I hate when you do that, can't you just tell me?> Jake rolls his eyes, exacerbated. 

Tsu'tey chuckles, <We are in the prime hunting zone, where the hunt begins, come.>

He leads Jake up a tree, they jump from branch to branch, until Tsu'tey gives the signal to stop, allowing Jake to make a final jump so they are on the same branch. Lying low, Tsu'tey instructs <Watch> pointing to a group of nantang surrounding a yerik. Covered by the foliage of the tree, Jake watches with clear view how the nantang circle and outnumber the yerik, manipulating it to run at the nantang sitting in wait. Jake is fascinated, comparing them to African wild dogs, and how effortless is was. What was different was how they brought the body to a safe place and began hunting again, letting 2 or 3 members of the pack stay with the yerik carcass. In a few hours, the nantang come back with another carcass, after a victory howl, the whole pack eats together. There was no pecking order or amything, they all just ate together. Tsu'tey observes how Jake watches the nantang, how Jake's eye dilate, how his whole body reacts to the way the nantang hunt and eat. Jake looks ready to pounce. Tsu'tey smiles a little. He liked noticing the small things about Jake, how childish he can be and the little things he does when observing something interesting, like swishing his tail. He likes how Jake's ears twitch at the smallest sounds and how he gently touches the trees and plants around him. 

Tsu'tey knew that he liked Jake romantically, even if he couldn't be with him. Tsu'tey didn't know how Jake felt about him, and he wasn't interested in knowing. He was fine with accepting his fate to be with Neytiri for the People, as it was his responsibility. But over the months, Tsu'tey's love for Jake grew. Everytime he saw Jake smile, or how he struggled, everytime he saw Jake learn something new and apply it to his life, he fell deeper. The only thing that made it harder was knowing that Jake would become one of the People. He knew for a fact that it would happen, with how much Jake was learning, it wouldn't be long until Jake does his Rites of Passage and succeed. 

After observing the nantang, Tsu'tey made Jake track a yerik. Jake had already been training in tracks and scents, but it was always when he was observing Tsu'tey. For the first time, he was doing the tracking. Jake looked for tell-tale signs, like hoof marks, where the yerik scented against the trees and grass. After tracing the dirt, and smelling the scents, his ears picked up the sound of chewing, like a yerik chewing. Jake moved carefully and steadily, not wanting to spook the creature. The first hunt and Jake successfully found a yerik. Jake readied his bow, ready to shoot, but Tsu'tey placed a hand on his shoulder, startling him a little. The yerik looked at them, fanning his head and ran off. Jake lowered his bow. 

<Why did you stop me?> Jake asked in a hushed whisper.

<Because you are not ready to make the kill, Eywa has not permit it,> Tsu'tey stated.

<How will I know when Eywa allows it?> Jake asked.

<I told you, it is a feeling, right now, you are on a high of success, not thinking about how that yerik will serve you once hunted, only thinking about hunting it down as a prize,> Tsu'tey lectured, <Because of this, you are not ready. But you now show the results of your training.> 

Jake looked down in contemplation. 'Tsu'tey is right. I wasn't thinking about how to prepare the yerik, I just wanted to show that I could hunt it, that I could kill it at any moment. I completely forgot the lessons Neytiri and Tsu'tey taught me.' Tsu'tey could see Jake's mind reeling, he could guess what Jake was thinking right now, it was what every new hunter thought when they successfully tracked down a yerik. It was the same with him as well. This was Eywa's way of teaching, even if Jake had shot his arrow, it would've missed. They stalk around more, looking at the way other animals hunt and how the prey outsmart the predators. Tsu'tey also makes a hunt. Jake knows of the the prayer that hunters say after making a kill, but he's never heard it until now. 

<I see you, brother, and I thank you. Your spirit will run with Eywa, while your body will remain and become part of the People> Tsu'tey prayed. 

The kill was clean and quick. It was also with this kill that Jake understood what Tsu'tey meant about him being ready. Although his belief in Eywa is strong, he hasn't learned all there is to the Omaticayan culture. He hasn't found himself a different role aside from being a hunter and warrior. Jake frowned at himself, his ears drooping and tail falling to the ground. His own disappointment was evident. 

<What's wrong?> Tsu'tey inquired. 

<...What do you do aside from hunting and being a warrior?>Jake asks. 

The question was unexpected, not something he thought Jake would be interested in. 

<As much as there are hunters, there are also gatherers. I help gather herbs for the Tsahik, some for the cooks, as well as their spices. I help string together our baskets for fruits and supplies. I do a multitude of things. Why?>

<I have realized that I only know how to hunt and track> Jake admits, <I don't know how to weave, or how to cook, I don't know much about how anything is made at Hometree. I only know how to hunt and track.>

<Then it is time to create a new lesson,> Tsu'tey smiles, <We will see what you can learn to do, and with time, you will be more than a hunter and warrior.> Tsu'tey places a reassuring hand on Jake's shoulder. 

Jake nods, <Thank you.>

Chapter Text

A few days afterwards, Tsu'tey brought him around Kelutral where they experimented with what Jake could help with. He was kicked out of the kitchen because he nearly burned it down. He wasn't allowed the butcher area because he hadn't made his first kill yet, so it was considered sacrilegious for him to butcher the meat. He did pretty well in gathering fruits and vegetables as well as collecting things for the weavers to make paint out of. He helped Mo'at in healing the injured, as long as it was small scrapes and bruises, he hadn't learned how to deal with the big injuries yet. But he liked to work with Mo'at the most. Over the months of experimenting and finding what he was comfortable with, Jake had earned a place at Kelutral. He mainly helped Mo'at with injuries and making tonics, but when he wasn't doing that he helped gathered fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Maybe it was his connection to the forest or Eywa, but he was quick in finding rare herbs or the right plants. The gathering team always wanted his help when he wasn't busy learning to be a hunter or with Mo'at. Jake felt very proud of himself and thanked Tsu'tey a lot for helping him. 

A month afterwards, Jake got his first kill. Jake was hunting with Tsu'tey again. They tracked down a yerik and Jake shot it down. 

<I see you, brother, and I thank you. Your spirit will run with Eywa, while your body will remain and become part of the People> Jake prayed, having remembered after seeing Tsu'tey do it multiple times. 

<A clean kill,> Tsu'tey remarks, <You are ready.>

Despite all his training, Tsu'tey never taught Jake about Iknimaya. He never taught Jake what it meant to have an ikran. Tsu'tey sat Jake down at the top of Hometree. Sitting across from each other, Tsu'tey took a deep breath. 

<There is something I forgot to mention to you,> Tsu'tey starts, <The Iknimaya. The rite of passage to become a warrior, a sky hunter, and to become one of the People.>

<Iknimaya?> Jake said for himself, <Is it dangerous?>

<Yes, it is your rite to become an ikran maktoyu. To tame and successfully bond with an ikran, that is the rite.> Tsu'tey explains. He stands, calling for his own ikran. 

<Is this your ikran?> Jake asked.

<Yes. His name is Rahaylo,> Tsu'tey begins to climb onto his saddle, <Do not look into his eyes, unless you want to die early.>

Jake quickly avoided Rahaylo's eyes, looking at Tsu'tey instead, <I will need to tame one of these?>

<Yes, now come up, I will let you know how it feels to fly> Tsu'tey invites him, extending his hand to help Jake mount behind him. 

Jake accepts his help, grabbing his forearm and lifting himself up behind Tsu'tey. He settles himself lightly against Tsu'tey, not trying to press himself against him. Rahaylo lifted his head higher, getting ready to take off, making Jake hug Tsu'tey's waist to stay stable. His chest against Tsu'tey's back, his arms tight around his abdomen, Tsu'tey's tail curved to the side, laying on Jake's thigh. It took everything in Tsu'tey's power to not blush at being closer to Jake and curl his tail around Jake's abdomen instead. 

<Ready?> Tsu'tey glances back.

<Yes!> Jake exclaims, excited for a new experience. 

They take off slowly. Tsu'tey has great control in his bond with Rahaylo. They mainly glide in circles around Hometree. Jake's eyes widen, the forest was vast. Everything felt so new. Jake gives a loud laugh in excitement, his arms never leaving Tsu'tey's waist. Tsu'tey glances back when Jake laughs and gives a smile.

<Want to go faster?> Tsu'tey asked.

<What?> Jake yells, not able to hear Tsu'tey over the wind. Jake leans closer to Tsu'tey, their faces touching. The closeness shocks Tsu'tey, making Rahaylo falter a little through the bond. Rahaylo gives Tsu'tey a small growl of complaint. Tsu'tey says sorry through the bond. Facing Jake again, he asks, <Would you like to go faster?>. 

Jake's eyes seem to sparkle at the question, <Yes!>

Tsu'tey conveys for Rahaylo to fly faster, flapping its wings to accelerate. "Woohoo!!" Jake yells. His eyes close with how wide he smiles and chuckles at flying faster. Tsu'tey also laughs with Jake, enjoying the ride. It felt like he was riding Rahaylo for the first time again. After flying around for a while, Tsu'tey takes Jake to the Hallelujah mountains. Seeing the floating mountains for the first time, Jake's eyes widen, his mouth gaping at the view. Tsu'tey laughs at Jake's expression. They glide around the floating mountains, Jake sees watches how the waterfall evaporates at the bottom of the landform. Soon, they reach a place that has many ikran. 

<Here is the goal of the iknimaya, to become an ikran maktoyu, this is where you will choose your ikran and it will choose you.> Tsu'tey suddenly says seriously.

The tone makes Jake alert, <How will I know it will choose me?>

<It will try to kill you> Tsu'tey answers, not looking back at Jake. He doesn't want to show Jake the fear in his eyes. 

<Astounding,> Jake sarcastically comments. <What happens if I don't bond with an ikran? Will I still become one of the People or will I have failed my chance?> 

<If you don't die, you will need to speak with the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan> Tsu'tey answered truthfully, <A dreamwalker has never come so close to becoming one of the People like you have, so it will up to their decision and Eywa's.>

After flying a few circles and exploring a few of the mountains, the rest of the day passed by at it was night. Tsu'tey brings them back to Hometree to eat and sleep. Climbing off of Rahaylo, Jake's legs felt weak, thankfully Tsu'tey caught him in time before he collapsed too hard. His hand holding Jake up by his arm. 

<Thanks>

<No worries, it's how all first rides are after demounting their ikran> Tsu'tey dismisses. 

Once Jake stables himself, they walk down the stairs to eat at the base of Hometree with the rest of the clan. It was an exciting day for both of them, so they afterwards they knocked out in the hammocks next to each other. Jake was back in his own body, waking up from the link chamber. Rubbing his eyes as he sits up, the first thing he sees is Grace. He groans as moves his legs to be off the chamber bed, and reaches for his wheelchair. 

"No, I haven't found a wa-"

"Jake," Grace interrupts him, "We'll be heading to the Hallelujah mountains as an expedition. We want you to get there."

"The Hallelujah mountains? How will I get up there?" Jake asks scratching his head, he acted dumb.

"You'll have to figure it out," Grace shrugs. 

"Well, lets hope I'll remember which island you guys are on," Jake sighs. Seating himself in his wheelchair, he rolls away to begin is nightly routine of eating the bland kitchen food, shaving his face and maintaining personal hygiene. He heads off to bed, waiting for the next day. 

---

He wakes up early again, seeing everyone packing up to go to an outreach camp. 'I am sooo late for morning training.' Jake is silent the whole time, quickly packing his own things, even extra just in case. He's efficient and after a few minutes, he waits for the rest of the science geeks to finish up packing. After a bit, they head to Trudy's helicopter, packing it up and ready for take off. It doesn't take long before they're up in the air and he sees what is surrounding Hell's Gate. It's mainly destroyed forestry, the view made Jake's heart break. He quickly looked away. 

After a few hours, they finally make it to the Hallelujah mountains. landing on a fairly large island where the campsite is.

"I hope you remember where this place is, because this is your target to get back home," Grace says sternly. 

'Hell's Gate was never my home,' "Got it," Jake gives a sharp nod. He was jittery, finally ready to go back to Hometree. 

The moment they entered the camp, Grace introduced the link chambers, assigning them accordingly. He quickly sits himself in his chamber, ready to leave, anxious about what Tsu'tey and the clan will say about him being late. Grace complies in giving linking him up right away as she worries that the avatar might be in danger with how quickly Jake was moving. Norm was settling in, getting everything organized for Grace and him. Jake decided he'll do his stuff later.

Once linked to his avatar, the first thing he was aware of was the presence of others hovering over him. He opens his eyes slowly, suddenly Mo'at's face is in front of him, shocking him, he almost falls out of his hammock...if he was still in is hammock. Apparently he was moved to Mo'at's healing den since he wasn't awake in the morning. The People were anxious, so used to seeing him up and early. Nearly the whole clan surrounded his hammock, until someone got Eytukan and Mo'at to calm the People. Tsu'tey and Neytiri were also nervous. They shared their lessons with each other to help Jake's progress, with Jake they formed a bond surrounding more of friendship and mentorship. 

Before Jake woke up, Mo'at was examining his avatar body, such as: checking his pulse, his pupils, if his twsin was healthy, etc. Finally she did a spiritual examination did results come, she came to the conclusion that Jake was just late to connecting with this body and everyone just had to wait until he came back. But before she could let everyone know, Jake woke up. Everyone clambered into the den, asking a million questions a minute. 

<QUIET!> Mo'at shouts.

Everyone quiets in the healing den. Mo'at huffs, <He was just late, nothing is wrong with him.> She clicks her tongue, waving her arms around to clear her den of the clan, <Like children,> she mutters. 

After the fiasco and Jake also letting everyone know he is alright, Tsu'tey and Neytiri drag him away to begin his lessons. Today, they were going to prep him for the iknimaya. Tsu'tey lets him know that he will be leading the new hunters to the ikran cliff and Neytiri gives him pointers on how to make the bond with the ikran, how to seal the bond, and what to expect. It was a deeper insight to what Tsu'tey told him last time. Tsu'tey also gave his own pointers but said that during the iknimaya no one will be able to help him during his battle with his ikran. Afterwards, Neytiri leaves them to learn from her mother, as the future Tsahik, she had much to learn. Tsu'tey is also called away by the Olo'eytan to learn his future responsibilities, leaving Jake to his lonesome. 

For the first time since the first day he woke up in Hometree, he was alone without his teachers. Jake decided to wander around Hometree. Mo'at wouldn't need his help because Neytiri is there, so he went to where the gatherers are. They were sitting in a circle, organizing the herbs. He nervously walked up to them, because every time he's been with them Tsu'tey was the bridge. 

<Um...can I help out?> he asked nervously. His hands behind his back, his tail was swishing lowly to the ground. 

The group smiles at him, <Yes! Go deliver this pile to the cooks!>. Back and forth the whole day, the gatherers had Jake do deliveries as well as taught him from time to time about certain plants. Such as the tawtsngal (Panoprya), a plant that grows upside-down. The Omaticaya collect the liquid in the body for a nutritious or healing drink. The flexible stem of it is used for nets, traps, or other woven items, its mainly given to the weavers. The growing tips of the stems are aphrodisiacs, often worn by young Na'vi looking for a mate. Jake blushes at the information with this one. He knows that after the iknimaya, hunters are now available to find a mate within the clan. Many would be wearing the tawtsngal tips during that time. After an hour, the gatherers were finished with their tasks and didn't need Jake anymore, so he wandered away again. He basically went in circles around Hometree, a lot of the clan noticed that Jake was idle without Tsu'tey or Neytiri next to him. 

Unexpectedly, a young hunter ran out of the forest to the clearing, his shouts were gibberish. It alerted the whole clan as they all gathered to see the commotion. Jake held the young hunter down in a tight hug, calming him down, once calm he lets go. 

<What's happened?> Jake asked.

<Skye walkers! They are attacking!> he shouts, worry written all over his face. 

Jake's eyes widen, <Where!?> he urgently questioned.

<Near the palulukan territory!> The young hunter was on the verge of crying.

The clan was wrought with worry, between the Sky walkers and palulukan, the group of hunters were in for imminent death. Eytukan called for the people to calm, ordering Tsu'tey to lead a group of warriors to the location. Jake followed Tsu'tey immediately. 

<You cannot come!> Tsu'tey opposed.

<I must! These are Sky People! I might be able to help!> Jake argued. 

<But you will be seen as opposing your own kind!> Tsu'tey yelled, <We cannot risk you bringing us more danger!>

<...They don't know I'm here> Jake confessed. 

There was a pause. 

<Keep yourself concealed, help the people to a higher place, don't reveal yourself, we will ride together> Tsu'tey gave quick instruction. 

<Thank you.> Jake readied himself. He grabbed his bow and arrows and mounted behind Tsu'tey. 

<Let's go!> Tsu'tey ordered. The warriors following behind Tsu'tey in formation. They road to the palulukan territory. From there, they could see the damage the humans had done with their machines. Following the path, they rode fast. Soon, they could hear the sounds of fighting. 

Some of the Na'vi were fighting humans, both sides were being attacked by palulukan. More of the humans dying than the Na'vi. Jake quickly lifted himself to a branch to stay concealed. He went to observe the chaos and help where he could. Tsu'tey led the new group of warriors against the humans. The humans couldn't understand Na'vi, so Tsu'tey instructed the earlier hunters to not look at Jake, to keep him concealed. Jake continued to kill the humans that were about to kill the Na'vi. His arrows shot straight and true. The humans were still in chaos with being torn apart by the palulukan or killed by the Na'vi. Jake did his best to shoot at the palulukan as well, but his arrows did nearly nothing to those beasts. It was the first time anyone had seen so many palulukan altogether as well. Everyone on the Na'vi and human side were baffled but tried their best to survive. 

Jake started shooting at amp suits that were open to attack. He did his best to injure some and kill most. And then an atokirina floated near him, Jake turned to face it, looking farther than the seed. A machine was about to bulldoze a glowing tree. A tree that he stumbled upon accidently that Tsu'tey had to explain the importance of to him. Jake quickly ran. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, jumping from branch to branch, pausing only to try and shoot holes into the tires. Nothing worked. He saw a camera that was on top of the machine, quickly he loaded an arrow, aiming at the small thing, and shot. 

It hit, disabling the camera and made the whole machine stop. Jake used this opportunity to catch up to the machine and try to slash the tires. He made good work on one of the tires before getting shot at. Jake ran off before they could come closer. The humans quickly got distracted with the other Na'vi. Once they realized the target of this random mishap, the Na'vi seemed to turn feral. They started killing more precisely, more efficiently, working together. Jake made off to shoot the amp riders, hoping to even the fight. 

By the end of it, the Na'vi came out victorious, but no one had time to celebrate, they were still in palulukan territory, even if it was shallow. Quickly, Tsu'tey gathered everyone to retreat. They would have to come back another day to do the funerals for the dead, what's good is that palulukan weren't interested in feasting on the dead. Jake rode back on the same pa'li as Tsu'tey again. They were lucky that none of the pa'li were injured or dead, otherwise it would be harder to take back the injured. The travel back to Hometree was long and brutal. Jake did his best to mend the small injuries and stop the bleeding for larger injuries. He had Tsu'tey and the warriors look for plants he needed. Once they got to Hometree, the clan helped to take the severely injured to Mo'at's healing den. Mo'at could see Jake's work and did her best to mend what she could. Jake was by her side. Unlike Mo'at, he knew how to take out the bullets in the warriors. Mo'at and the other helpers watched, learning for future practice. The practice was awful, having to dig into the body for the bullet, and pull it out with thin sticks. Mo'at's mind moved by the minute, trying to think of better ways to remove bullets rather than this awful method. The helpers in the den did not like it either, but a glance at Jake's face told him how many times he had to do this. 

Jake's face was stone cold, like a soldier back on Earth. Flashback coming and going, like waves on a beach. He remembers the first time he had to take out a bullet all the way until it became robotic to him, until the last time he took out a bullet from his own body. His hands moved fast and efficiently. After taking out the bullet, he proceeded to grab a thin needle, sterilize it with fire, run a thread through it, and began sewing up the warrior laid before him. Afterwards, he bandaged him up and went to the next one. One by one, he moved from one body to the next. He would take out all the bullets, sew the warrior up, bandage, and move on. Take out, sew, bandage, move on, take out, sew, bandage, move on, take out, sew, bandage, move on, take out, sew, bandage, move on, take out, sew, band-

Mo'at stops him. 

<Enough> she spoke softly, <You have done enough, go rest.> 

Jake's eyes looked lost to her. She had never seen him like this, so...lifeless. She led him out of the healing den, meeting Tsu'tey at the front. They made eye contact with each other before Tsu'tey looked at Jake with worry. One look was all it took. Jake looked like a lost spirit, as if all life was sucked out of him, leaving him an empty husk. Jake seemed to move robotically, following Tsu'tey around. Tsu'tey led them to the same watering hole from the first time they met. He hoped to break Jake out of whatever spell he was under. There was blood and dirt all over both of them. Without stripping, Tsu'tey pulled Jake into the water, Jake followed. The feel of the water seemed to bring some life back to him as he flinched from the coldness. They sat down in the shallow water, Tsu'tey poured water around Jake's shoulders, rubbing off what dirt and blood he could. The warmth of hands touching him made Jake sigh, he closed his eyes, leaning onto Tsu'tey. 

Tsu'tey did not expect Jake to lean on him, but he held strong, calmly rinsing Jake off. At some point they just stayed there in the water. The bioluminescence of forest letting them know it had become night time. Jake lifted his head, staring into the forest and the light it provided. 

<We cannot hope to be clean with only me washing us,> Tsu'tey jokes.

Jake chuckles and begins washing himself, dipping further into the water, Tsu'tey following him. After cleaning, Jake felt like playing a game, he splashed some water on Tsu'tey while he wasn't looking. Tsu'tey looked at him in indignation. Tsu'tey began to splash Jake as well, but Jake dived underwater and swam off. Tsu'tey chased him. Under the water, Tsu'tey grabbed Jake by the ankle, pulling him backwards and into his arms, shocking Jake. Tsu'tey proceeded to holding him and then throwing him into the water. Jake laughed loudly at being thrown, his smile nearly splitting his face in two. Tsu'tey was happy to see Jake back to himself, but still proceeded to splash him. Jake splashed back of course. At some point, Tsu'tey dived under to grab at Jake again, but Jake seemed to disappear from the water. Standing up, he hears a swish. Above him is Jake swinging from a vine and dive bombing near him, causing the biggest splash. Jake swam after his dive bomb and caught Tsu'tey around his waist, lifting him out of the water. Tsu'tey became shocked but he still laughed at being carried. He was easily one of the tallest Na'vi around so it wasn't everyday that someone would carry him unless it was for hand-to-hand combat. Jake proceeded to also throw him into the water. 

After a while, they left the watering hole to dry off and eat dinner. They changed out of their loincloth to new ones. Most of the spares were taken so Tsu'tey let Jake wear one of his. It was a bit longer in the front and more tighter around the waist, but Jake didn't complain, he didn't want to be walking out naked after all. They ate a scrumptious meal, celebratory for their victory against the Sky people. There was dancing going around as well, everything was joyful. Jake was clapping his hands with the rhythm of the drums and watching as they danced around the fire. There was also songs of victory, Ninat and a group of women were singing together, Neytiri was also in the group singing. By the end of it, everyone was joyful about the victory.

But tomorrow would be the time for sorrows.  

Chapter Text

There were many song chords sung the next few days and nights. Mo'at did a ritual to send the lost spirits to Eywa. Many cried from the loss they received. Tsu'tey was stiff from self-frustration, anger permanently etched on his face. Neytiri was silent and sad, tears streaking her face from time to time as she listened to the songs and stories of those that died. Eytukan was strong, his back straight and his face stern. He did not show signs of weakness with the loss in his tribe. He maintained a strong façade in front of his people, but in private, in front of Mo'at, he cried silent tears and prayed for Eywa to take care of his People. Jake watched as the People supported each other, families coming together in this time of need. He floated around them. Circling the People, not interacting but just watching. He saw how those who didn't lose anyone comfort others, talking about the memories they had and how they help the ones grieving move on. 

Over the days from the first night of sorrow, he saw how the tribe helped each other move on. He saw how Mo'at comforted her people spiritually. She would lead them in a direction and when they came back, they were always more content than before they left. Eytukan gave a speech on how to go on about their day, asking his people to help out where its needed. Tsu'tey still trained him, but more intensely, he trained the other warriors as well, he wanted to make them stronger. Neytiri took care of the children and assisted Mo'at in comforting the people spiritually. He watched how the People moved on from grief. Through this tough time, Jake learned to see, and he became aware of it.

He learned about those that fell during the battle. He began to talk to those that were grieving, helping them remember the memories but also encourage them to move forward in their memory. He gave them the words he wished he heard when Tommy died. 

A few days go by, Jake has been pretending to trek his way to the hallelujah mountains all the while moving on from the tragedy in the Omaticaya clan. Tsu'tey has begun to train him again, while also asking questions about Hell's Gate and what kind of weapons they have. Jake gives him any answers he can. He doesn't have any loyalty to the RDA, so he doesn't have a guilty conscience. Jake also helps Tsu'tey learn how to take out the AMP suits. He point out their weaknesses, seeing as they are also used in war back on Earth. Jake has extensive knowledge in how they worked despite not having worked one before. He knew how to take one down, because he had to. Jake points out how the Na'vi don't need to fight head on, to use their environment as an advantage. 

<Skywalkers are weak without their equipment, like an ikran without wings> Jake points out, "In a fight between bullets and arrows, bullets will win, but you have the advantage of stealth in the area. You can take them out before they even knew you were there. Your weapons will allow you to be silent in the forest, and that will be your way to win this war against the humans." 

Tsu'tey contemplates. He has always been one to take a fight directly, never thinking of other ways to win.

<But isn't it a bit dishonorable to fight like this?> Tsu'tey questions. 

<A palulukan blends in with its environment to hunt a yerik, is that dishonorable? We track down yerik and stealthily kill it painlessly, is that dishonorable?> Jake hashes out. His eyes hard, <In a war, honor is not what you should concentrate on, you should be concentrating on how to win, how to come out alive, and how to keep your people alive and safe> 

Tsu'tey is taken aback. He has never has Jake speak to him like this...like a war leader. 

<..What...what is your experience in war?> Tsu'tey asks.

Despite their similarity in age, they had lead different lives. From the age of 18 in human years, Jake has been in the military, fighting in the front, fighting for his life and his country. His most comfortable years were the 17 years before he entered the military. Tsu'tey, on the otherhand, has lived a comfortable and mundane life. He has only needed to hunt and eat, he would only be a leader when training his warriors and taking charge in a hunt. He was a teacher to young Na'vi in the clan and rarely ever did he have to fight with other clans. His experience in leading through a war could not even measure to the first two years of Jake's war experience. 

<...Extensive> Jake briefly explained. His face dark and sullen. His eyes seeming to think about his experience.

<I see>Tsu'tey replies. His eyes looking sadly at Jake, but also curious. He wants to learn from Jake about war but he knows it is a very sensitive topic as that is how he lost his mobility to move.

<You are best to ask advice from Olo'eyktan. He probably knows more about war than I do> Jake changes the center of the topic. He knows Tsu'tey is curious to learn from him, but Jake does not think his experience in human warfare will be the same here and he doesn't want it to. But his hopes are dashed as Tsu'tey brings to the topic back to him.

<I want to learn from you and Olo'eyktan. I need to understand how these humans fight Jake, and you are my only source of information regarding this> Tsu'tey hardens his resolve, <Maybe talking about the experience will help you move on.>

Jake flinches like he was caught red handed. He knew that the Na'vi were more in-tuned with their emotions than humans were, but he didn't know that they could also sense other's emotions, even ones hidden deep inside. He thinks about Tsu'tey's request. After minutes of contemplating, Jake agrees to teach Tsu'tey human warfare. Tsu'tey gives a smile, glad that Jake took on his proposition and that with the help of Eytukan, Jake can learn to move on from his war-ridden history. 

They schedule to talk with Eytukan a later date as time has passed on. 

---

Mo'at requested Jake to join her for the day. He was due for a break from training anyways. He stayed in the healing den, dealing with minor injuries from children falling to warriors or hunters getting scratched up from either each other or the forest. Mo'at has him making bandages and creating ointments like usual. Except after an hour of mundane tasks, Mo'at takes him outside. 

<Let us go for a walk, JakeSully> she "suggests" nicely with a smile.

<...Okay?> Jake follows along.

She takes him down a long, winding path in the forest. They stop at another Tree of Voices, obviously hidden deeper in the forest. 

<Usually> Mo'at starts, <You would need to be one of the people to connect with Eywa. But for you, there will be an exception>

<Why?> Jake was confused.

<Because Eywa deemed it so. Attach you queue to one of the vines, and speak to an ancestor. They may be able to help you,> Mo'at said. In hindsight, she knew of Jake's troubles since his time healing the severely injured that day. In the first time for a long time, she was lost in how to help Jake. Although he was not a part of the People officially, nominally, everyone in the clan had learned to accept him and thought of him as one of their own. Even Eytukan had conceded to Jake being one of them. Already Jake had access to things regular outsiders wouldn't have, one important thing being helping Mo'at in the healing den. It was the most important place in Hometree, where the injured can rest, the ill can heal, and a way to connect with Eywa. 

Jake connected his queue to one of the purple vines. It was like his brain was going haywire. His mind instantly connecting Eywa, solidifying his belief completely. He heard the voices of young children and the talks between wise elders all together. It was overwhelming, making his breath fast and harsh, his head felt like it was splitting apart and being put back together all at once. He felt like he was going to be swallowed up. Until Mo'at placed her hands on his shoulders, grounding him to the world. 

<Calm, calm, Jake> Mo'at had been through this before when children who have lost parents young needed closure, <Connect yourself to the Great Mother, she will help you find what you need>

Jake followed her instructions to the best of his ability, but it was hard, until there was a little tingle in his head, like someone trying to call him through a phone, just in his head. So, he "answered" the call, and it was Eywa. The deity didn't exactly 'speak', it was more like Eywa was downloading his information into her. Through that he was suddenly teleported in front of an old Na'vi wearing war paint, his hair covered in feathers and pine needle-like plants. His armor decorated with the look of a large ikran. 

<Toruk Makto> reverberated in his mind. Jake looked at him like a godsend. This Na'vi was the greatest warrior and leader in all of history. He brought the clans together against a great disaster and won. Eywa had showed him someone who would be able to help him and allow him to move on.

This memory was of Toruk Makto speaking to Eywa about he has been moving on from the war. He spoke about the people he lost, his grief with their death. He spoke about how hard the war was for him mentally and physically. He spoke about living up to expectations and feeling like he failed every one. His words resonated with Jake. Jake looked at him like he was looking at himself, except he didn't have anyone to talk to like this man. Toruk Makto was able to speak to Eywa about his difficulties and she would respond with images of the happiness she has seen him accomplished despite his many failings, she sends him memories from the fallen and their words of trust. It felt like gravity was lifted of his man's shoulders when he saw these memories and images. She let him know that it was okay to feel like he did by revealing how past elders felt about themselves in self-doubt, that mistakes were alright and loss did not mean that he had to compensate by not moving forward. 

This feeling, were like the words the Na'vi said every day, <I see you> 

And Jake felt seen for the first time in forever. This memory taught him to feel the grief and then move forward from it. He had felt stuck for the longest time. The amount of people he had tried to save and the people he had lost. He felt remorse for killing someone's father, son, or brother. He concluded long ago that to compensate for all he's done, he could no longer move forward with life, instead he must remember who died forever. Tommy was what broke his ship to moving forward, solidifying himself in his grief and PTSD. Whenever he took a step forward towards the future, he took two steps back into the past. He felt he did not deserve to live a meaningful life.

Despite all this, when he came to Pandora. He felt like he was made anew, as if his past didn't matter. But every so often, someone would bring up his military career and how it could benefit their personal goals. It never occurred to them that Jake, for once, just wanted to live freely, surrounded by greenery and animals. He just wanted to forget the past that kept chasing him. So, seeing someone who had been in a war, who had lost many people, who was a leader, be this broken as well, let Jake feel that moving on was okay. That after grieving for the people he lost and killed, moving on with his life was okay. He didn't feel as stuck anymore, Eywa had given him strength to move on. 

Outside in the forest, Mo'at witnesses Jake crying with his eyes closed. Although she doesn't know everything that went on, she knows that Jake was given guidance from Eywa. 

Chapter Text

Jake slowly opened his eyes, disconnecting from Eywa. He lightly touched his face, feeling the tearstains on his cheeks. He turns to Mo'at, seeing her face of understanding. Mo'at opened her arms to him, for which he gladly ran into. She hugged him tightly, full of reassurance and love. He let his tears run down his face, soaking her shawl. After a few short seconds, they separate. Jake doesn't know whether he should tell the Tsahik what he saw and learned. Mo'at shakes her head.

<You have met Eywa and she has guided you> Mo'at guides, <You're experience is yours alone unless you need help interpreting it more. Eywa is guidance, not answers, she will do her best to show you the way, but it is up to you to decide which road you will take.>

Jake nods in silence. He recounts what he experienced with Eywa, what she showed him and how he felt about it. Eywa really was guiding him emotionally, she validated his feelings and his past. She saw him for who he was and is. It was up to him to decide if he was willing to move forward or not, and he had already decided to move forward. He was not going to be tied down by the past any longer, lingering in his memories like a ghost. He would walk forwards, move on from his grief, and begin a new life with a new purpose. 

---

After a month, Grace was getting irritated by Jake's slow travel to them. Jake always yelled back, "You try traveling through thick foliage, not knowing what's behind the corner, nearly getting mauled by viper wolves over and over agin, trying to get away from them, which detours you who knows how long! Only to nearly get killed by those Na'vi, of which I barely survived if I didn't jump off ANOTHER WATERFALL! I'm having it hard here Grace so, back. the fuck. OFF!". To say the least, the crew is getting off Jake's back about not being able to rendezvous with them in a timely manner. It is also during this time that Jake is preparing to become an ikran makto, so he was extra stressed with keeping Grace off his back and listening to Tsu'tey and Neytiri lecture him about what to expect and what to do and how to survive. Every clansperson asking him as he walks by, it was irritating him and making him anxious. Basically, Jake was stressed. 

Currently, he's hiding from everyone by being in Mo'at's healing den. Even the Olo'eyktan can't lecture someone here, so it was his current sanctuary. Until...

<Are you ready for your rite of passage?> Mo'at asked as she extracted a gel-like substance from a plant.

Jake groans, <Not you too!> 

Mo'at gives him a pointed look, like a mother who's about to berate their child, <I ask because I worry, much like the rest of the clan. You are different from us, you did not grow up in this world, around this forest, many of the People worry about you making it out alive more than you succeeding at bonding with an ikran.>

Jake sighs, <I understand the worry and the questions, but I am not a child learning how to walk anymore. I can hunt, I know war, I feel at home in the forest just like the People. I just hope that with this rite of passage, I can officially be accepted> Jake smiles as he stops talking. 

Mo'at smiles as she listened to Jake. She can hear how he's moving on from whatever grief he was holding on to. Silently, she thanked Eywa. They continue their work in the den until late evening. Tomorrow, the rite would start early in the morning and Jake had to get ready. The rite was happening in the Hallelujah mountains, nowhere near Grace's camp, but he didn't want to risk being seen, his best bet was to be the first to go. Recalling what Tsu'tey had told him, they would be riding by pali to the floating mountains, and then they would need to climb up vines and rocks to get to the ikran rookery where they will choose their ikran. Jake remembers to note that the ikran will choose him by trying to kill him. It was important that he flew right after bonding to seal the bond. After recounting all the specifics and remembering what was important, Jake left to sleep in the hammocks, anticipating the next day.

---

The morning was harsh. Unlike the others, he did not have a parent or family member to paint the iknimaya symbol on his forehead. Instead, he had Mo'at do it for him while Eytukan gave words of encouragement. Afterwards, Eytukan gave a small speech for the soon-to-be new warriors, as they left, the people yelled encouraging words and applauded them. The ride was long but it also a time to prepare themselves for the challenge ahead. Tsu'tey instructed them during the ride.

<If, or when, you seal your bond with your ikran, make your way back to Hometree, do not wait for us to finish> Tsu'tey instructed, <If you do not know the way, there will be warriors nearby to show you the way, but you must be blind to be unable to see Hometree.>

Everyone nodded their heads, chuckling a little at the innuendo, as Hometree is a giant tree that sticks out like a sore thumb. The only issue was flying through the clouds first. Tsu'tey stopped the group from travelling forward, dismounting from his pali.

<We climb from here, the ground is too steep for the pali to travel forward, and we will be reaching a cliff, so be careful of where you step> Tsu'tey walks forward as he speaks. 

It takes a moment for everyone to follow in his foot steps, Jake takes his time, but the other two participating in the iknimaya rush to dismount. Jake takes his time, he doesn't rush to keep up with Tsu'tey, as long as he can see him in the front. Jake walked along the path, keeping an eye on the group but still connected to the forest around him, at some point it reminded him of when he first connected with Eywa. Jake wisps his through the ferns around him, touching the fauna around him slightly. He doesn't linger like on his walks with Tsu'tey, he just continues walking, letting the leaves and vines thread through his fingers. As if Eywa could feel him, which she could, the leaves in the trees seem to fall apart, letting sun shine on him. 

Tsu'tey looked back to make sure everyone was behind him, only to see Jake lingering in the forest again. Tsu'tey stopped in his steps, his gaze on Jake. The stop caused the other soon-to-be warriors look back as well, and what a sight it was. Seeing Jake walk the forest path, the greenery seeming to hug his hands lightly as the sun basks on him, almost making his skin glow. The fauna near his feet part ways for him, letting a clear path be shown. Jake looks breathtaking, making the other trainees gasp at the sight. 

<The forest loves him like he is their child> one of the trainees whispered to no one in particular. 

Tsu'tey's ears twitched at the comment. Many times has he saw this scene and every time he thinks about what Eywa sees in Jake. He notices how Jake embraces the forest unlike a Na'vi. The Na'vi respect the forest, because the forest is a part of Eywa and through the forest, Eywa provides for the People. But they have never seen the forest the way Jake does. They waited long enough that Jake caught up to them.

"What's up?" Jake asked, having caught up while they all had an internal dilemma. 

Tsu'tey turned around and began to lead the group up, the rest followed in with a bated breath. Jake paced himself throughout the climb, it wasn't the hardest part. The hardest part was jumping to a vine and climbing up without falling to your death. Fortunately the whole group arrived alive. Tsu'tey led them through the small cavern towards the ikran rookery. Crossing the narrow ledge underneath the waterfall, Jake sees all the ikrans resting on the mountainside. It was quite intimidating. One by one, Tsu'tey called out to the individuals to look for their ikrans, battle, make the bond, and fly off towards Hometree. Jake was last.

Tsu'tey and him made eye contact, he could see the worry in Tsu'tey eyes but also encouragement. Jake made his way towards the ikrans. One by one they flew away, some snapped at him but still left. At the end of the mountainside, an ikran perched, it was turquoise with brown patterns and spots dotted all along its body. It was beautiful, and dangerous. The ikran hissed at Jake, making Jake hiss back just as loudly. He started spinning the green whip, using the momentum to snap around the ikrans mouth, snapping it shut. Jake wrestled with the ikran, nearly falling off the side. Tsu'tey crept closer to the fight, keeping enough distance so he doesn't get entangled. 

<Make the bond!> Tsu'tey yelled, realizing Jake forgot the one thing that would make this fight end. 

Reminded by Tsu'tey, Jake started towards making the bond, he got knocked back the ikran more than he can count, but Jake managed to do it in the end. The sensation of bonding with the ikran was different from a pa'li. He felt like his arms were wings, feeling his lungs fill with air. Jake felt like he was on a high for a moment, and then Tsu'tey started pushing them towards the edge, hurrying him to seal the bond with the first flight. 

<Fly!> Tsu'tey yelled, shortly calling for his own ikran to mount. 

Jake's struggle was abundantly clear. His ikran spun in circles, roaring as Jake yells.

"Shut up and fly straight!" Jake yells in frustration. 

Unfortunately, during his spout with his newly bonded ikran, they flew quite a ways away from the familiar territory. In fact, they were pretty close to where the Grace's camp was. Realizing this, Jake quickly turned his ikran to turn around, but in a random direction, he was officially lost in the skies. Jake didn't know where he was, the only comfort being the ikran he bonded with. 

<I'm gonna name you "Bob," Jake whispers. His hands hold onto the thick antennas, his feet clutched on the flat surface near the breathing hole. Jake didn't know where he was flying, but he was trying to find familiar area. 

<Do you know where that rookery is?> Jake asks Bob, hoping for an answer. 

Bob merely makes a small sound. Jake attempts another way to communicate, he decides to bring an image to his head instead, imagining how the mountainside looked and where he wanted to go. He felt a pull from Bob's mind, and Jake let it happen. Jake was still aware of what was going on around him, still had his own thoughts, but Bob led the way back to the rookery, where Jake would know how to go back to Hometree. While flying back, Jake heard a familiar call. 

<Jake!> Tsu'tey was yelling from afar. Tsu'tey had called out to Jake many times, watching Jake fly in a trance. Sensing his voice finally broke Jake out of whatever trance he was in, Tsu'tey's flight stopped short of Jake, <What happened?! I was calling out to you many time!>

<Uh, I...got lost> Jake stammers.

<I know you got lost! I am asking why you didn't answer me the first time I called out to you!> Tsu'tey interrogated, his nostrils flaring from anger, his ears pinned back, <What happened!?>

"I..uh..." Jake starts, "How do I explain this?" he whispers to himself.

<Explain!> 

<I will! I will! Just let me think!>

<You will think as we fly back to Hometree, I am sure Tsahik and Olo'eyktan will be interested in learning how you got lost and how you came back with your lousy sense of direction!> Tsu'tey flares.

With a strong flap of his ikran, Tsu'tey leads them back to Hometree, and as Tsu'tey said Jake tried to formulate what he experienced. He doesn't know if it was a common occurrence among the Na'vi or if Eywa had a hand in what he experienced. 

Chapter Text

They flew in silence towards Hometree. Jake was seriously thinking about what he experienced, but his face...did not give that impression. Tsu'tey glanced back every so often to make sure Jake was properly following him back. To Tsu'tey, Jake's expression looked angry and frustrated. The thin hairs on above Jake's eyes furrowed, making his face look intense. Tsu'tey knows he is reflecting but he also looks mad. Who else could he be mad at but Tsu'tey. Tsu'tey sighs to himself, thinking of what to do to comfort Jake and how to explain himself. Rahaylo slowed down in flying, sensing his rider's dilemma and thought to help in his own way. Tsu'tey felt the joy through the bond, but urged Rahaylo to press forward, as he is leading them back to Hometree. Rahaylo chirped at his rider, wondering why a slow ride wouldn't help his rider out. Tsu'tey just sighs, Why is this happening to me? 

Looking back, he saw how close Jake was to him and cleared his throat, making Jake pay attention to him. 

<I....was harsh on you earlier,> he starts, <But it was not without reason. I was worried about what could have happened to you. I was worried that your special bond with Eywa could have affected your bond with your ikran, I->

<Tsu'tey, I understand> Jake interrupts with a smile, <I am not angry with you, maybe just a little, but I am trying to..."explain" what happened between Bob and I>

A small pause lasting a few second.

"You named your ikran Bob?" Tsu'tey gaped. 

"Yes, his name is Bob," Jake confirms. 

<...A...wonderful name...I guess> Tsu'tey attempts to compliment.

Jake laughs loudly at the compliment, throwing his head back. Tsu'tey flinches at the outburst at first, but slowly relaxes as he realizes Jake is laughing at his comment. 

<Is it a wonderful name?> Tsu'tey asked.

<I suppose in a way it is> Jake concedes with a wide smile. He softly chuckles to himself as he recalls Tsu'tey's comment. Bob, on the other hand, doesn't understand his name, but he thinks it's a good one as his rider seems to love it. 

In no time flat, they reached Hometree. Tsu'tey led him towards the perch where their ikrans will rest. Jake attempts to gently land on a thick branch, whilst trying not to fall off Bob. Tsu'tey landed nearby, to make sure Jake doesn't fall to his doom, breaking an arm or leg, or getting a concussion. Tsu'tey demounts from his ikran first, climbing over to where Jake is. Once Jake lands, Bob lowers himself down for Jake to demount, but not low enough. Jake hugs at Bob's neck, swinging himself off one leg at a time. Tsu'tey watches and tries to suppress a laugh. He knows it's Jake's first time, but this was the funniest way he's ever seen anyone demount from an ikran. Some jump off, or slide down towards the tails, other's figure out how to do it the same way as a pa'li, but Jake's way was too funny. 

<Don't laugh!> Jake exclaims with one of his leg still hung on Bob's neck, <Help me!> Jake can feel himself losing balance on one leg.

Tsu'tey jumps in to catch Jake, swooping his arm under Jake's knees and using his other arm to hold Jake up. Bob breaks loose, shaking his head a little and flies away to perch somewhere else. Despite Tsu'tey's strength, they both end up falling over from the wind Bob flapped at them to take off, thankfully not off the large branch. Their position has Jake's midsection pressed against Tsu'tey's, with Tsu'tey flat on his back. They both look at where Bob flew to, silently cursing at him. Quickly realizing the awkward position they were in, they quickly gather themselves. 

"Sorry and thanks for catching me," Jake sheepishly says.

<No worries,> Tsu'tey waves off, <...Well, lets be off, we need to see the Tsahik.>

<Yes!> Jake shouts, <Lets go!> He jogs away in a hurry trying to escape even though they're going to the same place. 

'Why am I so nervous? I literally only fell on him. He's only helping me. God I can't wait to fly again. How I am going to explain to Mo'at that I let Bob steer us in the right direction while I was lost as fuck. Is that bad? Is it good? How connected am I to Eywa? Why is this happening to me, I just wanted to get into a new body...That sounds suspicious...' Jake's head spirals out of control as he slows himself to a walk. With his absent-mindless walk, includes walking into things, people, and basically pissing everyone off to a minor degree.

<Tsu'tey te Rongloa Ateyitan! If you do not control that dreamwalker soon, I will kill you!> Peli, a Na'vi woman, yelled from afar after Jake walked into her and made her spill herbs all over the ground, which means she needs to go clean them again. 

Tsu'tey just waves her off, hurrying to catch up with Jake before he causes more destruction in his path. He grabs Jake by his arm, yanking him back a little, jerking Jake out of his thoughts.

<Skawng! What do you think you are doing! You are wreaking havoc among the People!> Tsu'tey yells, smacking Jake lightly on the head, <Are you trying to get us killed!?>

<Sorry, my bad> Jake apologizes sheepishly, giving a light chuckle, but when he looked behind Tsu'tey and saw the mess he made...well let's just say everyone glared at him for setting back an hour of work. 

After a quick apology to rest of the clan, they finally made it to Mo'at's healing den without creating more of a mess. 

<I see you, Jake, Tsu'tey> Mo'at gestures, <I've also heard of the chaos you ensued the moment you came back>

<I apologize for my behavior, I was lost in my thoughts,> Jake immediately states. 

<And pray tell, why were you lost in your thoughts?> 

<Let me> Tsu'tey starts, before Jake could answer, <After Jake bonded with his ikran, I immediately told him to fly. With no control, Jake and his ikran, now named Bob, had flown farther away from the rookery. I was worried that he may get lost and quickly followed after him. It took a while to find him, but when I did, he was...dazed? I had called out to him multiple times, and it was only when I was closer did he hear me.>

<I see> Mo'at says sagely, <Jake?>

"After I had sealed the bond I didn't know where to go, so I asked Bob to lead us back to that cliff. It was...weird at first, having Bob in control instead of me, but I was glad. I felt like was...closer...more in sync with my ikran. It was not like bonding with a pa'li," Jake tried to explain. His hand scratching the back of his head as he tries a better way to explain his experience. 

<This is something that happens every so often during the Iknimaya, where a warrior lets the ikran lead during moments of doubt or loss, it is not common, but it isn't unspoken of> Mo'at explains, <I am not surprised that Jake has been able to do this, his way around the skies is still new, you will need to teach him well Tsu'tey.>

Jake didn't understand everything Mo'at said, but he got the gist that it was rare. Later, Tsu'tey explained that it was a rare occurrence, but it wasn't something new to be surprised about, granted no one had ever informed Tsu'tey of such a thing so he was surprised as well. Tsu'tey explains how he will need to teach Jake how to navigate the skies as well as he does the forest floor. Jake did not look happy being high in the sky when he'd rather run on the dirt floor, touching the colorful greenery and laying on the thick branches that let him sun bathe. Tsu'tey could see the unhappiness in Jake, by the drooping of the tail, his hair folding back, and Jake's head hung low. 

Tsu'tey sighs, <I know you love the forest, and how much you don't like riding the pa'li> 

Jake flinches, as if he's been caught. 

Tsu'tey chuckles, <I know because every time I ask to hunt with pa'li, you ask to hunt on foot. Do you think you are that great at hiding?>

Jake purses his lips, <Better than others> he grumbles under his breath. 

Tsu'tey laughs loudly, obviously hearing the comment, he wraps his arm around Jake's shoulder, <skawng>.

They walk along a familiar forest path that leads to their favorite watering hole. Tonight, Tsu'tey needed to get Jake ready for his ceremony of becoming one of the People. Tsu'tey undid Jake's braids, despite how long Jake has lived with them, he still sucks at braiding his own hair. Unwrapping the braid around the queue, he gently combs all of Jake's hair. Jake leans into his touch. When Jake was still new to everything, he remembered Tsu'tey saying he would only do this once for him, but overtime, it was something only Tsu'tey was allowed to do. Maybe its the Na'vi genes or how long he's been with the Omaticaya, but he never allowed anyone else to help him with his hair, even when asked. It might even be because deep inside, he knew he only wanted Tsu'tey to do his hair. 

Leaving his hair unraveled, Jake dipped into the pond. The second thing Jake loved most after the forest, was water. He loved being able to swim freely instead of struggling to stay afloat. He loved how clear the water was when he opened his eyes underneath the waves. He loved seeing the plants thriving, the little fishes swimming around, glowing in bioluminescence. To him, it was like another forest. Tsu'tey watched him carefully, he knew how careless Jake can be, especially because his kuru is out in the open right now. It wasn't long before Jake swam back to Tsu'tey, his hair became a little tangled, but it wouldn't set them back much. Tsu'tey braided Jake's hair carefully. First was the braid to protect the kuru, then he loosely braided the top of his hair. Any loose hair was braided into small pieces that framed Jake's face. The hairstyle made him look young, but strong. 

They headed back into Hometree, for Tsu'tey to paint Jake in white dye. The design was simple and intricate, thick swirls on his shoulders and pecs, several lines on his face, trailing downwards near his waist line. Tsu'tey's fingers tracing him from head to toe sent shivers down Jake's spine, but he did his best to not show it. Feeling the feather light touch as Tsu'tey caressed his face, trailing down to his waist, feeling his hands on his back as he traced in circles and swirls, it tickled him a little. Tsu'tey was using this time to also feel Jake, to see him, and tried his best to not grow hot while touching Jake. After tracing his face, feeling Tsu'tey's fingers leave, Jake opened his eyes. They were close. Their breaths seeming to touch one another, their eyes stayed locked, hands moving to touch the other, and once they were close--

Mo'at's voice rang throughout Hometree, shocking them from whatever trance they were in. Immediately they pulled back from each other and walked down to meet the rest of the clan. Jake was finally going to be accepted into the clan, he was a jittery but hid it with a stern face. Eytukan made the speech of him becoming one of the People, Mo'at gave her own talk about the Great Mother, Eywa. Together, they encircled him, their hands touching him, like a hug. He saw Tsu'tey and Neytiri smile at him, understanding their congratulations to him. He had finally achieved one part of his goals, to become one of the People. 

Chapter Text

That night, everyone celebrated welcoming a new clansman. The fire burned bright in the night. Many danced around the fire, while songs were sung. The children enjoyed the stories elders told as young adults acted them out. Throughout the night, Jake saw many couples leaving Hometree into the forest. It was like the parties at Earth. Jake wasn't interested in learning what they were going to do out there. On the other hand, he had many of his people trying to pull him into dancing. He declined, mainly because he didn't know how to dance. Neytiri noticed that he was a little awkward through the night, so she took him to the side to explain why he was gaining so much attraction. 

<You have become one of the People, and you are a great warrior> she states, <You may now choose a mate within the clan.>

"What!?" he exclaims.

<Obviously Tsu'tey did not go over this with you> Neytiri exacerbates in a muttered tone, <I know you have noticed many couples leaving into the forest, times of celebration means times for new beginnings. They are off to mate having since decided on each other.>

<But, but I don't know anyone to be close like that!> he yells in shock, his ears straighten up and his tail goes stiff in shock, <Do I have to choose now!? Can I reject someone? How do I know who to choose? What if they don't like me?> 

At this point, Mo'at walked over, wondering why her daughter and pseudo-son were speaking in a corner, but hearing Jake's questions, she can guess what Neytiri was teaching Jake.

<It is like choosing an ikran, but different> Mo'at explains, interrupting Neytiri before she can say anything, <Jake, it is okay to not be ready. You will know.>

Neytiri and Jake stare at her, spooked that she snuck up on them. Their posture was like a hunched cat, they had jumped at her voice. 

<Now, get back to the celebration!> she yelled after a pause, pointing back at the fire. In her mind, she knew, There is a lot to speak about for JakeSully. If what Eywa has shown is anything, he is bringing change to the clan. So far, it has been a good change, for him. Now, we shall see if the clan will change. She also knew that there would be nothing going on between Neytiri and Jake, they were like siblings, and Neytiri had always wanted a younger brother. So, as the "mother" she should be the one to give Jake the Talk. Although Jake had been working in the healing den for a while now, he never knew much about the more....sensitive topics, like providing sexual commodities such as a tea to prevent pregnancies, for both male and female, helping with pregnancies and how to diagnose how far a mother is in said pregnancy. Most of all, how to help a mother through birth. She wasn't sure Jake would be able to stomach the sight and remain calm. She knew Jake has been through war, has done many atrocities, but helping a person with giving life rather than taking it, is different. She has seen seasoned warriors faint from seeing their mate give birth, so it isn't opposed to say that Jake would be the same. 

Aside from his medical duties, Mo'at was also worried that Jake has never been in a relationship before, and therefore wouldn't know the first signs of how a person is interested in them. From a mile away, she could already see how Tsu'tey is interested in Jake. Should Tsu'tey and Jake decide to mate, Mo'at hopes they come to talk to her and Eytukan before sealing a bond. 

Throughout the night, Neytiri watches as Jake is finally forced to join the others in dancing around the fire. His movements are clumsy and uncoordinated, but he's having fun. Drifting her eyes away from Jake, she sees Tsu'tey skulking about. She rises to go talk to him, leaving Jake on his own. She watches Tsu'tey's gaze, his glare like a palulukan on the hunt. Following his stare, she sees it connecting to Jake. Following Jake around the fire, never drifting, he stares in such concentration that Neytiri's voice spooks him, making him jump.

<What are you doing?> she states.

<Aish!> Tsu'tey jumps, <Damn woman! Are you trying to kill me!?> he says in a hushed shout. His hand on his chest, likely beating hard from the scare. 

<You'd have noticed me if you weren't so busy stalking a certain someone like prey> Neytiri crosses her arms. Her face showing how she disapproves of his actions.

<I have no idea what you mean,> Tsu'tey splutters. 

<Mhm, then you will have no objection to me courting Jake, yes?> Neytiri taunts, knowing full well, she would never. 

<If you even think to do that, I will kill you> Tsu'tey says so quickly he doesn't get the chance to shut his mouth. 

<Hah! I knew it!> Neytiri points at him, <You do have a crush on him!>

<Shut your mouth! You are announcing it to the whole clan!> Tsu'tey shouts quickly covers her mouth before she can say any more. 

Neytiri's eyes widen as she notices the person behind Tsu'tey. The one person they are talking about is standing behind them in shock. His hand in motion to tap Tsu'tey's shoulder, but their conversation wasn't exactly...private. Many of the clan overheard either their whole conversation or just parts, but the important parts related to Jake and Tsu'tey. Jake stood in shock, obviously having heard the whole conversation. He understood Neytiri was joking with Tsu'tey, but he was not expecting Tsu'tey to like him. Well, he knew Tsu'tey liked him, but not like like him. It was a bit sudden. 

On the other side of the tree, you can see Mo'at slapping her forehead at the stupidity of her daughter and future Olo'eyktan. She grumbles away as she walks to disperse the nearby clans-people, instucting someone to find Eytukan. She pops right up to them.

<It was not long ago that I just gave Jake the talk, and now my own daughter has caused a disaster> Mo'at grumbles at them, <Come! We shall speak on this matter now!>

She turns away, her hair whipping behind her, tail lashing out, her glare made the crowd disperse even faster than a palulukan showing up. The three quickly followed her, not wanting to make her angrier. By the time she shows up to Eytukan's den, he's already there, slightly aware of what has happened. They all exchange greetings, and Eytukan asks for why he was summoned by his wife, in which she gives a summary of the events that happened in the early night. 

<Are you mad!?> Eytukan yells at Neytiri, <Tsu'tey is to be next Olo'eyktan! His mate has yet to be decided and you decide to tell the whole clan about who he plans to court!?>

<It was unintentional!> Neytiri tries to defend herself.

<Tsu'tey! How could you not let us know!> he continues to berate, <You understand that as you are training, anyone you see as a potential mate is important to the clan! You should've reported that you have chosen someone! Especially if that someone is Jake, who just became one of the People!>

<I didn't say anything because he wasn't one of the People during that time!> Tsu'tey argues, <I know that if I had said anything during my time training Jake, you would've replaced me with someone else to train him! I know my duty! But I do NOT want my mate to be decided by someone else! It is not right!>

<Had we not known Jake for as long as we do now, maybe that would've been an issue, but it's not right now! The issue is how you decided to keep this from us! This is an important decision that will affect all of the Omaticaya. Who your mate will be affects how the Omaticaya clan will grow in the future. Not only that, but Jake is also someone with a sign of Eywa, and a strong one at that> Eytukan's voice quieted at near the end, letting out a sigh, <And you know that it is not up to us, nor the elders, or you about who your mate will be, it is up to Eywa and the person you chose.>

Everyone looked at Jake, who stood between Neytiri and Tsu'tey. Jake understood the gravity of the situation he was in. He is the first Dreamwalker to become Omaticayan, he is the first Dreamwalker to come with a sign from Eywa. Altogether, Jake is an anomaly that hasn't been fully understood by Mo'at or the clan. Eywa has no given any signs other than favoring Jake during dire times. Jake looked at all of them, landing his eyes on Tsu'tey last. Their gaze lingered on each other for a while, but it was enough to solidify Tsu'tey's feelings on courting Jake, and Jake gives a brief smile before facing Eytukan and Mo'at. 

<I know that I am not the...best possibility...for the future Olo'eyktan, but I am willing to accept any challenges needed> Jake states, his back straightens to show his confidence, despite the dark of the night, a gleam be seen in his eyes, <It will just be another round of learning new things for me to live here amongst you all.>

Mo'at and Eytukan share a look before nodding. Neytiri gives a small smile to Jake.

<Jake> Mo'at starts, <Understand that by mating to Tsu'tey, you will the next Tsahik. Understandably, you would probably become a Tsahik no matter what. Your connection to Eywa is stronger than anyone elses, together we will learn about your connection to Eywa and the forest, and I will train you to become the next Tsahik, or a Tsahik, should you not mate with Tsu'tey at the end of this ordeal.> 

Having coming into agreement about this new relationship, Jake decides to push the dominoes and let it all out, <Can we discuss about me becoming one with this body?>

<So much to discuss, and you don't even let us process what has already been discussed,> Eytukan grumbles.

Mo'at sighs, <We will need to go to the Tree of Souls. There, I will be able to save all that you are in your human body to this one. But understand this Jake, you will need to pass through the eye of Eywa and return. Then, you will awake in this body as one.>

"So, we need to get my human body back first," Jake starts to cook up a plan in his head.

<Tonight is a night of celebration, we will discuss important subjects tomorrow morning, we have yet to discuss more about how to drive the humans away, so far we have only prevented them from coming any closer> Eytukan states, <So be off, we will see each other in the morning.> He turns away from them, Mo'at following, as they walked back to their people, hushing down any gossip and squabbles that occurred. 

An awkward silence befell the trio. Jake nervously rubs the back of his neck. Tsu'tey looked out into the beyond, hoping Eywa could save him. Neytiri watched the two for a second before making an excuse to get away from the situation, despite being the reason for the situation to happen in the first place. As if it wasn't awkward enough, once Neytiri's presence was gone, Tsu'tey and Jake stammered to create a conversation. This was the interaction of two straight males who had fallen in love with each other in the most strangest circumstances. Jake is open-minded about his sexuality, he's jerked off with other guys before, has experimented in seeing if he likes other men. Obviously, he's never been in a relationship with another male. Tsu'tey has never been in a relationship period. His mind concentrating mainly on becoming the next Olo'eyktan, being the Hunting leader, and training new hunters and warriors. Although there has been prospects who have wanted to mate with him, he has always rejected them. Usually because he does not find them to be romantically attractive and can not see a life with them as a mate. Tsu'tey is not...prominent in the dating circle. His mother has nagged at him to at least know how to court, but he felt it would come naturally. Now, well, it's not coming naturally. Not only does Jake may have a different courting culture, he doesn't know the first thing to do to initiate courting. He's only away about making his intentions known. 

The night grows stale as these two men contemplate about how to date each other. They stand their awkwardly until they see that its late enough to go to sleep. They walk up together, ignoring the snickering and the giggling from everyone around them. Many parent coo at their awkwardness, reminiscing about their significant other and when they first started courting. Tsu'tey and Jake split up when Tsut'ey is near his family's nest. 

<Um...Good night...I guess> Jake finally speaks.

<Yes! I mean, good night...as well!> Tsu'tey stammers. 

Tsu'tey's mother, Artsut, having heard from the vine, looks at Tsu'tey as if to say, "I told you so". 

<We speak tomorrow, and I will go over how to court your soon-to-be mate> She states in a matter of fact tone. 

Tsu'tey can only hang his head in submission. He had avoid it long enough that he has no choice but to take her "class" on it. 

Tonight was a long night. 

Jake closed his eyes quickly, transferring straight to his human body. Thankfully they are still in the Hallelujah mountains, so it gives Jake time to figure out more about how long they're staying. Grace indicates they will be there until Jake finds them. The research in navigating around the mountains and how the gravity works has kept her and Norm busy. Trudy has been a real one for sticking with them for so long. She makes the flights around as they wait for Jake. For the first time, Jake asks her a question that is out of the blue. 

"How do the Na'vi court each other?" he blurts out.

"...Why do you want to know?" Grace looks at his skeptically.

"Wondering around a forest all alone throughout the day with night time being my only time to talk and socialize, many questions come up," Jake lies, "Just wondering in general."

"Well, its like a human dating, 'mating' is like marriage," Grace tries to dumb it down, but Jake's tired brain can't seem to conceptualize it.

"What?"

"Courting is dating in a sense. Partners give each other gifts, go on dates, hunt together, and the like," Grace explains, "'Mating' is when you've courted long enough that you marry each other, except there's no such thing as divorce. The Na'vi court in exclusivity, and they mate for life. Partners must be prepared to be together and have a life together forever until death do they part."

"What if one decides to back out?" 

Grace chuckles, "You'd have to ask them, because I never got that far in how they court and mate. The Tsahik only told me the basics of basics, and they sure as hell aren't gonna tell me anything anymore"

"Gotcha. Whelp, thanks for the answers," Jake thanked dumbly and went off to his bunk. His brain running in circles as he tries to figure out how to court Tsu'tey, worried about making a mistake in the process. 

The night is full of worries and woes as our couple thinks about how to NOT awkwardly go court each other.

---

The next morning, Jake is up and ready, but nervous. He takes a shower, brushing his teeth and shaving while he showers. He contemplates his day and thinks about what to do. Remembering what Grace told him yesterday, Jake lets out a loud sigh, sagging his shoulders, and feel gravity pulling the skin of his face down. 

"I am so not ready for today," he whispers to himself, getting out the shower and drying himself off. Jake gets ready, physically, for the day. He links up to his avatar.

<I am so not ready for the day> he whispers to himself as he follows his mother around. He gives a brief greeting to Jake as he walks by, his face showing his vexation as he follows his mother. Jake greets back, but notices Tsu'tey's grimace as he walks behind his mother. Jake slightly tilts his head in curiosity. Deciding not to think about it, he asks around to find Mo'at and Neytiri, hoping for some answers to his questions.

He find Mo'at in her healing den. Lucky for him, Neytiri is also there. They both look at him, somewhat guessing he is here because of last night. Usually he would be with Tsu'tey around now. 

<I got a late start, and Tsu'tey was dragged off by his mother> he quickly explains, <Which is why I am also here, I would like to know how to court. I had asked Grace about the courting culture here, but her information wasn't....the best. So, she said it would be best to ask Tsahik, since you were the one to tell her about how you court and mate. I was wondering if you could also teach me more about how to court...and mate...>

<Wow, he really spit all out there,> Neytiri whispers to her mother in a not so subtle way.

<Sh!> Mo'at quickly hushes her like a reprimand, <If I understand, you gave her an excuse in order to speak of this topic?> he nods in response, <Then it is similar to how I explained it to her. The Na'vi court in different way depending on what clan you are from. But there are similarities either way. In the Omaticaya clan, we are open to different ways of courting. Some court by riding pa'li together or riding ikrans together. Other's hunt and bring back prey for their mate as a show of able to provide. I know a couple that weaved clothing or baskets for each other. And rarely are there the deadly ones, which is a course of fighting. It happens often between males courting the same female in different animals, but it's not common for the Na'vi to do that unless necessary. Some Na'vi believe that choosing a mate is similar to choosing an ikran, as Neytiri has well put it, they will try to kill you.>

<What!?!> Jake exclaims, hoping Tsu'tey isn't that type.

<NOT in a murderous aspect, otherwise war and discord is likely to happen all the time. It is mainly a way of seeking who is the "male" or "female" of the couple, the one who wins is the "male"> Mo'at says while giving air quotations around the word "male". It made Jake chuckle at seeing such a human gesture from Mo'at, <But be careful, from what I've heard, Tsu'tey's family likes the violent way. It shows resolve in wanting a certain someone as a mate, and it shows if that other person is willing to mate with them. Sometimes it's like a dance between the two, it can be quite graceful. So, good luck JakeSully.>

Jake's face pales a little with that last information. He'll need to learn how to court Tsu'tey without trying to kill him. With his military training, it was going to be hard, but he hoped Tsu'tey would take the lead in that aspect...Actually, thinking about it now, it would be like training with him in a way. That, he can do. 

On the other side, Tsu'tey was receiving the lecture of a lifetime.

Chapter Text

It was silent for a while before Artsut started the conversation.

<How could you not let me know?> she said in a quiet but authoritative tone, <This could ruin your future to be Olo'eyktan! Did you not think of the consequences!?>

<What would it matter to you if I did or not?> Tsu'tey argues, <I have found someone who I love! Is that not why you mated with my father?!>

<You are different! You are to be Olo'eyktan, your choice in a mate is different from those of normal standing, you will be leading this clan in the future!> she yells.

Tsu'tey huffs from frustration, his nostrils flaring, he hates his mother for always putting him on a pedestal. His relationship with his younger brother is already strained. The main reason why he hadn't found another mate is because his mother pushing him to mate with Neytiri, the sister of his previous chosen. How immoral it is to choose Sylwanin's sister to take her place next to him. He cannot give into that decision no matter what. It wasn't right for him, nor for Neytiri. 

<You would rather I take Neytiri, do you not?> His glare is striking, his voice was sharp and heavy, <You wish I would be taking my dead chosen's sibling as my mate! Do you not see how disgusting that is!? She is like my sister! Not only do I not want her to become my mate, but I do not want to give in to your twisted games to be better than the rest of the clan. Do you realize how much of an idiot you are!? No one even cares, no one else but you and my father! How many times must I remind you that I am going to make my own choices about my mate! I will walk down my path with the mate I have chosen, not the one you chose and not the one my father chose.>

His body closes in on his mother, towering over her old body, his tail is still, his eyes glow from underneath the shade of the tree, his ears faced forward. Artsut is not much smaller than Tsu'tey but now, she feels small, like prey. As if hallucinating, the shadow of a palulukan stands behind Tsu'tey. It sends terror through her, she backs off quickly, standing several yards away from him. The look of terror in her eyes as Tsu'tey glares at her, not caring how frightened she is. After a moment of silence, he turns away sharply, his tail whipping behind him. 

As he walks out of the forest, Jake greets him with a smile, his hand waving at him to get his attention. Forgetting the quarrel in the forest, Tsu'tey smiles as he greets Jake in turn. 

"I see you, ma Jake," he greets.

"I see you, Tsu'tey," Jake replies, "I have learned of some ways to court, but I just wanted to know what you considered courting before anything, that way I know what to expect and what I should do, because this is my first time EVER?! So-"

"Jake, calm yourself," Tsu'tey interrupted, a small chuckled escaping his lips from Jake's ramble, "Whatever you deem as courting will be seen as courting, there is no need to worry so much."

After a pause, Jake nods absentmindedly, "Okay, good to know. Sooooo, did everything go well with your mother?"

A sour look passes through Tsu'tey face before he replaces with a calm demeanor, "Let's talk of that another day, instead shall we go for a hunt?" 

Jake gives a questioning look, but doesn't press further, "Sure! Let's go on a hunt!" His smile beaming at him, it made Tsu'tey smile. 

They go back inside Home Tree to gather their things and prepare for a hunt. 

---

In the forest, Jake crouched low, eyeing a yerik in the distance. Tsu'tey kept watch around them, making sure no one was disturbing them or for hidden dangers. With one shot, Jake killed the yerik, running fast to say prayers to the yerik, and then took its body back to be butchered by the cooks. Tsu'tey didn't sense any disturbances so he met Jake down on the forest floor. As Jake hefted the meat onto his shoulders, they chatted about nonsensical things, getting to know each other more. It was idle talk about likes and dislikes and whatnot. Until they heard it. Loud stomping on forest floor, it was an RDA AMP suit, which meant there was a squad wondering around the woods. They didn't look like they were doing anything dangerous, but Jake and Tsu'tey quickly made themselves scarce, with the yerik, leaving no evidence of their presence. 

"How long to we have to be out here?" a man complained, he was piloting one of the suits.

"Not long, we just gotta make a round and see if we can find Jake," the other man, the leader, stated. 

The information made Tsu'tey alerted. This confirmed that no one knew where Jake was. 

"I thought Dr. Augustine told him to meet up in the Hallelujah mountains?" the pilot inquired.

"Yeah, but apparently he's got a penchant for getting lost, so we're still on the lookout," the leader provided. 

Having heard enough, Tsu'tey lead Jake away, helping him haul the yerik so they could get away safely. After enough distance had passed, Tsu'tey looked at him.

"Why did you come to the People?" Tsu'tey asked.

"...I though we had already established this," Jake said, "I want to walk again, in this body." 

"You did not let anyone know of this?" Tsu'tey continued to press.

"I...Initially it was to hopefully get back to base, but overtime, as I learned, I wanted to stay," Jake admits, "When I learned that Eywa could help me stay in this body, that she could make me new. I needed to stay. I had fun learning about your ways, you culture, the way you live and breathe. It was beautiful to me. As I stayed, I became to love being a part of the clan, but this also made me feel incomplete. While I am a part of this clan, with this body, my real self is stuck in a box. Where I cannot walk, and I live like a machine. I cannot breathe the air here, and my real body is starting to be a dream, as this becomes my reality." 

"What do you need?" Tsu'tey asked at the end.

"I need to get my body, so that I can be one in my avatar, but I can't do it alone," Jake said.

"So I will help you," Tsu'tey rests a hand on the small of Jake's back, "I can lead a small group to capture your body, bring you back to us."

Jake chuckles, "Well, you're in luck, my body is in the Hallelujah mountains right now."

"I heard, so what is the plan?" 

"Well," Jake hesitates, "I know from when I've looked outside, where the camp is. I'm thinking, at night, you and Neytiri come and get me. I will be in a chair with wheels, so you'll need help trying to hold me and the wheelchair."

"That is doable," Tsu'tey agrees.

"Just letting you know," Jake's face crinkles a little with worry, "I do look vastly different from my avatar...a lot....smaller and....pale."

Tsu'tey chuckles, "Hahaha, I know how you aliens look. Not to worry, I know you will be tiny in comparison to the you right now." 

Jake puffs his cheeks, "I'm not tiny, I'm actually pretty tall for a person in a wheelchair."

"Hahaha, yes my love, whatever you say," the nickname rolled off his tongue like it was a habit. It startled them both, but no one said anything, so they just walked back to Home Tree in awkward silence.

---

For a whole week, they prepared for capturing Jake's real body. It made it easier that he would be awake in it and would be able to leave just as easily. For the past week, Jake had been observing when Grace and Norm slept, when they woke and if they were deep or light sleepers. Through the week, when they were asleep, Jake was slowly packing his stuff away. It wasn't a lot, so it didn't make a difference, but as time went by, Grace had told them that they needed to move back to HQ by the end of the week, so Jake expressed urgency in having this operation done in this week. And they prepared. The scorpion wouldn't be here until 2 days, so they had 2 days to fly here and back without a trace. The only person that would have an inkling, would be Grace, but she wouldn't risk the people for him. His disappearance would be a sign, telling the RDA who he sided with. 

As a test run, they sought out the camp site, determining how long it would take to fly there. They practiced on makeshift items out of twigs, Jake giving Neytiri a run down on how to fold his wheelchair up. He gave her a stack of items that showed how heavy his wheelchair would. Although to a Na'vi it would be simple to grab it with one hand, in human hands it was considerably heavy. The weight was about right, so Jake let Neytiri practice folding it up and stashing it away onto her ikran in a swift motion. Eytukan and Mo'at were aware of what kind of mission their protege's would be going on, but didn't worry too much, running with the thought, "How hard could it be to take away an alien, and one who's legs can't be used." 

Obviously, it turned to be a bit harder that expected. The time was right, the location was right, but they didn't account for the pilots being here that night. The pilots came a day earlier but it was night time when they landed, so they agreed to leave the next day at daybreak. Tsu'tey and Neytiri noticed something was wrong the moment they saw the scorpions next to the outpost. It was supposed to be an easy operation, in and out, now there was risk of being killed. The pilots were trained in arsenal, even if the equipment they have is light, bullets can penetrate Na'vi skin easily. 

Through the window, they could see Jake signaling them for a change of plans. He was talking to the pilots, brought up a small hologram of the island. Making small talk, he pointed at the edge of the island, a blind spot for them to hand at. The other side of the camp without windows, it was bit of a distance to roll to, but Jake would manage. Neytiri and Tsu'tey swiftly glided over to the edge. Their heads poking a bit out to observe. It would be all up to Jake at this point. Jake had entertained the pilots long enough, Grace yelled for lights out, so everyone went to sleep. There was limited space, but everyone squeezed. Jake laid on the same bed as Norm. He waited for Norm's breath to even out, and then waited another hour to make sure the pilots were asleep. Silently, he moved his wheelchair next to him, grabbing his things, a few masks, and slipped out. He was lucky his bunk was closer to the door. Just as he opened the door, he heard one of the pilots groan. All movement froze, Jake crept slowly to the other door, trying to wheel as quiet as he could. Slowly, he closed the door. The hiss of the door creating a bit of disturbance, making the pilot raise his head, but not seeing anything, he went back to sleep. Jake peeked up the window, seeing how the pilot went back to sleep, he opened the outer door, quietly shutting it behind him and made his way around the camp to the back. His eyesight wasn't as great as the Na'vi, but the bioluminescence helped. It lit up a path for him right to Tsu'tey and Neytiri. 

His movement was slow, rolling over rocky and moss terrain was hard, but he made his way to them. Quickly, Tsu'tey and Neytiri positioned their ikrans to sit on the top instead of hanging at the edge. Tsu'tey carried Jake up, positioning him comfortably, a few items in his lap, while Neytiri grabbed the wheelchair, and the rest of his things. Once strapped down, they flew downwards, making a silent descent near the top of the trees. The trip was silent with only the flaps the ikran's wings making sounds in the night sky. As they got closer to Home tree, a sigh of relief fell through their lips collectively, making them all laugh. Powering through the last mile, Tsu'tey and Neytiri landed at the bottom of Home Tree, Eytukan and Mo'at met them at the entrance. In his arms, Tsu'tey held Jake, like a princess. Eytukan someone help Neytiri with some of Jake's things, the found an empty basket, and put his things inside, it all fit because of how small everything was compared to the basket. Jake carried his extra masks and oxygen, letting another person know to handle them with care. 

The night was late, but everyone was awake, celebrating a victory in retrieving Jake from the enemy camp. They were all curious about him, asking questions he was used to answering back on Earth. A lot of the children had fun making fun about how much taller they were in comparison to him. Jake would bring to his own defense about how his other body was taller than them combined. It was all jokes and laughter. Mo'at was intrigued by his old injuries, thinking of what could help him with his pain and if there was way to cure him. Jake didn't mind letting Mo'at see his spine injury. He could always use a second opinion about them. He didn't know if he could drink or eat the food they had, but he wasn't sad about it. He brought his own rations to supply himself until Mo'at brought him to Eywa to start converging him into his avatar. But that would come a different day, now he had to learn how to navigate without his avatar body to walk for him. It was definitely a change. 

Chapter Text

Hii!!

This is an Author's note for people to be aware of:

1. This is still a continuing fanfic, I've just been busy

2. I've been rereading my fanfics and realized there's a lot of mistakes and inconsistencies throughout the fic, so I want to edit it

3. I am writing a new chapter right now, please look forward to it

Thank youuuu!!!