𝓣𝓸𝓷𝓸𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓲'𝓼 𝓭𝓪𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓮𝓻, 𝓣𝓼𝓲𝓻𝓮𝔂𝓪, led the the group in the middle of the neatly built mauri pods, Tsireya holding your belongings.

Both Jake and Ney'tiri walked a few meters ahead from their children and you, as all five of you observe every new area, eyes full of curiosity and confusion. Standing beside Tuk, a metkayina riding an ilu approached the young Navi, Tuk giggling and gently patting the sea creature, the ilu's attention on the smell of food.

You smile softly at Tuk, before you glance at the others, moving yourself to signal her to keep moving. The young Navi's attention now on you, she grins from ear to ear, while you look in confusion.

"Catch me if you can!" Carefully racing off to the group, while you chuckle at the sudden act.

"I'm coming to get you!" You shout, racing off as well to catch Tuk.

🏃‍♂️

"This is for you" Tsireya's pleasantly sweet voice speaks, sending you outta your daydreams. Next to Kiri, your eyes shift around the empty mauri pod, large enough for the family.

Beforehand, Ney'tiri dropped her stuff, a heavy sigh along with it, missing the forest.

Tsireya gently put down your belongings, excusing herself from everyone, her eyes taking a quick glance at you, star struck by such attractive charms you possess. Yet, your eyes were dependent on the inside of your new home, failing to notice.

. . .

"Okay Sully's, fall in." Jake announced, everyone making their way to him. You aren't related to them, so you thought you should just stay out of it. Before you could go sit in the corner like a dope, Neteyam nudged you to join.

You weren't gonna be rude and say 'no', so you just walked beside him, sitting down on the comfortable mat of the mauri pod, facing Jake.

"Now, I want you kids to be on your best behaviour." He starts off serious, "I mean it, learn fast, pull your weight, don't cause trouble, alright?" Making himself clear, eyeing Lo'ak at the last sentence.

"Yes sir." Lo'ak mumbles out, Neteyam's hand making his way to the back of Lo'ak's neck, as he just hisses rudely at him.
Neteyam just chuckled.

Tuk sniffed, tears forming from her eyes, "I wanna go home." Looking at her made you feel sadness for Tuk. Her mother looks at her, ears downward.

"Oh Tuk. . ." Ney'tiri quietly says, her voice comforting. Jake look at her with guilt, but changes up quickly.

"This is our home now, Tuk." Placing his much larger hand on the young girl's leg. "We're gonna get through this together, if we have each others backs, okay?" Jake continues on.

"What does your father always say?" His mate spoke, eyes looking around her children, including you.

"Sully's stick together." Their tones unmotivated, everyone except you and Kiri say.

"Now this time with some feeling."

"Sully's stick together." Everyone says in unison, a little louder, Kiri mumbling out.

Timeskip. . 𖦹*ੈ‧ 𓇼 ₊˚𓆝

Now, face to face with the light, azure blue ocean, the sun rays kissed the water, gleaming sparkles surrounds the three Metkayina teens. After they gracefully jumped into the sea, the Sully's gradually jumped in, excitement driven over them.

You lastly jumped into the busy ocean, cold yet refreshing sea water clings onto your figure, opening your eyes to admire such beauty of the ocean. Swimming underwater, over to the rest of the group, your greeted with Ao'nung, Roxto and Tsireya, her pearly whites adorning her face, dimples shown along with it.

Your returned a closed yet genuine smile back her, including the Navi boys.

Without realisation, the Sully's could no longer hold their breath, quickly making their way to the surface. Gasping a deep breath of fresh air, the trio look at each other in confusion. You as well eye them in a confused look, while they look down below to all of you.
Tsireya decided to use sign language, signalling them, "Come swim with us!" A small smile forms on her stunningly light - turquoise face.

Both boys look confusingly, oblivious of what she mean't. You swam up to Tsireya, lightly tapping on her shoulder, enough to get her attention. "Sorry, but they don't understand." You sign to her, as Tsireya's eyes widen but soften to know your understand them.

You smile happily, her cheeks becoming a shade of much darker turquoise. This is what you call unspoken rizz—

Anyways, Y/N glances their way to Neteyam, Lo'ak and Tuk, still above the surface. Hearing a faint sound, you shift your gaze to Ao'nung and Roxto, snickering at the forest Navi. Furrowing your eyebrows in annoyance, you decide to make your way above the sea below.

The three teens eventually follow, emerging from the ocean, now facing the Sully's and you.

"Are you alright?" Tsireya kindly asked, a tad bit worried. Tuk was the first to answer.

"Your too fast, wait for us!" Blinking back some of the salty water out of her eyes. Ao'nung starts chuckling rudely, a sly smirk telling all the shit comments themselves. "You are not good divers," He utters out, Tsireya not amused by such a sentence.

"Maybe good at swinging through trees—" Getting cut of by the slap his sibling, Ao'nung finally shut up. Her expression turns from sour to calm once again.

You slightly giggle and look back at the Sully's, also looking rather amused. Before anyone could say anything else, you noticed Kiri was missing. As you look around carefully, you silently go underwater, swimming away to the ocean floor. Coral of various colours and shapes sway around you, making you softly chuckle at the ticklish sensation.

After a few minutes, you spot a Navi, much like a forest one, finding it was Kiri. 'Maybe I'll leave her be, she's still getting use to this place.' Thinking more clearly before swiftly swimming away.

Meanwhile. . .

"Where's Kiri and Y/N?" Tuk being the first one to notice, the sudden question causing worry and panic. Ao'nung tries to hide the worry by asking, "Who?" Mostly worried about you.

"Y/N, where are they? Y/N!" Roxto starts calling out, everyone about to search for both you and Kiri, until you pop yourself outta the sea. Eyes widen, they start asking questions.

"Are you okay?" Or "Where did you and Kiri go?" Stuff like that, in the meantime, you just calmly answer.

"Kiri is alright, she was with me, so she's safe!" A sigh of relief coming from most of them. Ao'nung just rolled his eyes once again.

Timeskip. . .

Now, the open sea waters reached under your shoulders, looking around in awe at the ilu's a meter or two away from the large group. Ao'nung started making clicking noises, as the ilu shift their attention to all of you.

His arms out to demonstrate the training, turning around to face the rest of you.

"If you want to live here, you have to ride." He says boldly. Everyone eventually started to head off in smaller groups, while you just stood behind Tsireya and Lo'ak, the Metkayina girl demonstrating the process of the bond.

"Hey, human!" A voice called, as you turn around, face full of confusion. Sadly that particular voice belonged to Ao'nung.

He gestured you to come over, thinking about it for a moment. Until you then hesitantly moved through the splashing waves, now standing in front of Ao'nung's figure towering over you.

"Um, yes?" The sudden question is said, making Ao'nung have a mocking smile.

"Have you ridden an ilu yet?" He answered back, a spiteful laugh entered right after the dumb response. He knew humans can't bond with animals. "Oh wait, you can't bond with them!", continuing to laugh, this making you glare.

"Why is he laughing, this ain't funny—" The thought popped into your mind, as you look around to find no one else laughing expect the dumbass right in front of you.

"Y'know, what's so funny about this?" You asked bitterly, his expression with a straight face. You laugh sarcastically, making his eyes furrow.

"Now, I'd slap you right now, but I don't wanna make your face any better. ." Tone rude and dark. Everyone just look at you and Ao'nung, while he was just speechless. You turn around, making your way to a group of ilu's.

( I'm not good with roasts or comebacks, so I'm sorry if it's cringe😭)

One of them came up to you, twirling around in circles, as you just giggle softly at the act of excitement they made. Tsireya noticed this and looked at you in awe, a tint of darker turquoise creeping on her cheeks.

She turns her attention back on Lo'ak, remembering the training. "Make the bond gently," She says calmly, as Lo'ak starts taking deep breaths. "Guide it", with the last sentence, he swept underwater, the ilu shifting through the reef fast and steady.

Unfortunately, Lo'ak lost his grip, trailing for a second before realising the fact he's flipped off. Ao'nung watched the scene and stood up straight from the water, breaking out of laughter, as does everyone else.

Tsireya tried holding her quiet laugh but failed, while you laughed loudly, shouting out clearly, "Lo'ak, you skxawng!" Covering your mouth after your announcement.

He rose from the shallow yet cold sea, releasing a deep inhale before the ilu could splash him, swimming away to who knows where. The same ilu from before came up to you, his back lowered for you to ride. You looked at the ilu oblivious for a split second, only to realise he's offering you to swim on him.

Before doing so, you inhaled and exhaled slow breaths, heart beat slow and calm, as the ocean waves play in melody. You pulled yourself onto the ilu, holding gently yet tight on the long neck.

You dive off into the majestic ocean, dashing away, seaweed waving their dark, lush arms from the sea floor. You steadily extend your arm out to feel the corals sides.

Smiling happily at the sight upon you, it felt like heaven on Pandora, your ilu clicking noises genuine and cheerful.

Tuk yelled out right after you left with your ilu, "Guys, guys! Y/N is on an ilu, did you see?!" Delight covering her face, as the others turn their heads to Tuk's arm, pointing out to the far ahead ocean.

Your ilu makings stunts, they jump high above the surface, squealing as the air hits your face gently.

Star struck by this, everyone felt joyful to see you enjoying yourself. Ao'nung felt a mix of shock, confusion, and a bit of happiness as well. Wait, what?

A small smile made its way on Tonowari's son's face, but not some rude or sarcastic one; a genuine one. .

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆉𓇼♡

*ೃ༄ ╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ ╭┈◦•◦❥•◦

Once again, another chapter! Yayy!

I also just wanna say thank you for anybody reading this story rn
I really appreciate it<3

Daily reminder to eat and drink water!
Love y'all💖