We left two days later.

As Jake was the chief of the clan, he had to elect someone new to take his place.

He wouldn't be able to lead the clan if he was miles away.

They held the ceremony under the Tree of Souls, with the entire clan gathered to watch. Jake announced the new leader and the chief's mantle was lifted off of his shoulders and placed on the new leader.

I don't know who he picked. I don't care.

They did the whole ritual where the new leader "killed" the old one.

I heard Jake had to do that to become chief, but not to Neytiri's father. He did it to someone who was betrothed to her before Jake entered the picture. They both always get a sad look on their face when they talk about them, though.

Final words were said, the crowd parted for us, and we left. The other members were sobbing, some reaching out to touch our arms in final goodbyes. Others looked on, tears trickling from their eyes.

Two days earlier, Jake and Neytiri approached Ralu and I and asked if we wanted to go with them. They offered to let us stay but we both refused. Neither of us had anywhere else to go and we didn't know anyone else. So here we were, leaving our home and birthplace for Ewya how long.

Jake led us, looking more than ready to just leave and get it over with. Neytiri was trying not to sob as we walked to our Ikrans, clutching Tuk by the hand. Neteyam was next, then me, Ralu, and Kiri. Lo'ak trailed after us, looking sullen.

I held my head high and my face blank, refusing to let any emotions betray my inner turmoil. I mounted Aretha and took off into the sky.

-

We flew for several days and nights, eventually leaving the mainland. After that, there was just ocean in all directions and the occasional island.

All of us had brown woven cloaks around our shoulders and our things packed away in small chests or bags on our Ikran's backs.

Jake and Neytiri made sure we flew in formation, calling to us in yips and whistles.

We didn't interact much outside of that. Once or twice, Ralu would make a joke to try and coax a smile out of someone, but none of us were in the mood so he eventually gave up. 

Tuk rode with Neytiri, as she was too young to have an Ikran of her own, but everyone else rode theirs.

We stopped to camp every two days or so.

Jake said it was because he wanted to find us another home fast, but that didn't fool us.

We knew he wanted to get as far away from the approaching threats as fast as possible.

We flew through all kinds of weather, good and bad.

One night, though, we had to camp in a small cave on an island cliff we had come across earlier.

We had stopped to rest, but an incoming storm kept us grounded and forced us to find shelter.

I sat on the cave floor with my back towards the wall, holding my hands out towards the fire.

This cave was deep enough and had a few corners so we weren't feeling the wind or ocean on us. We could still smell the salt and hear the wind howl, though.

Neytiri handed me a few small fish on a stick that she had caught and roasted.

Jake had set up our sleeping area, not finding any leaves or suitable plants, so he made it out of our blankets and thicker clothing.

He was currently unbraiding and rebraiding Tuk's hair, as the last few days of travel had made it rumpled and ragged.

I slid one of the fish off the stick and popped it into my mouth. I was too tired to worry about manners.

Lo'ak and Kiri were next to me, leaning against each other as they ate.

Ralu was watching Jake braid Tuk's hair with rapt attention. Braiding was not one of his skills and he wanted to learn so badly so he could do his hair without any help. Despite his previous failures on my hair, he was making progress, albeit slow progress.

Neteyam came over and sat down next to me with his dinner.

"Good, right?" He said, trying to make me smile.

I gave him a small one, leaning my head on his shoulder.

Understanding I didn't want to talk, Neteyam just laid his head on mine.

His hand found my own and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

I squeezed back as I blinked tiredly.

The others finished their meals while I nodded off on Neteyam's shoulder, ignoring mine.

"Alright, bedtime," Jake announced when we had all finished, getting to his feet before picking Tuk up. She had already fallen asleep and her head lolled slightly against his chest. Ralu stood up with him and made his way dutifully over to the makeshift sleeping area. Neteyam shook me awake before helping me to my feet.

He led me over to the sleeping pile and made sure I was settled before going and encouraging Kiri and gently shoving Lo'ak toward me. Lo'ak grumbled tiredly, shuffling over and flopping over my legs. Ralu had laid down next to me but was forced to move when Lo'ak shuffled closer to him. Instead, he found a spot next to Kiri and gave Lo'ak an annoyed hiss which he ignored.

Neytiri, Jake, and Tuk followed closely behind, and we all snuggled together as the wind howled outside and the waves crashed against the rocky cliff, some of the sea spray making it inside the cave.

I laid my head on Neteyam's chest, listening to his heartbeat as I fell asleep, Neytiri's hand on my wrist.

I was too tired to even finish my fish.

-

The storm had cleared up by the next morning, and we were able to continue flying.

We flew for another day after that, and the waters changed from dark, lonely blue to warm welcoming turquoise.

I didn't really notice, though. I was salty at Lo'ak for eating my unfinished dinner that morning. I don't care that I didn't finish my meal because they were MY fish.

After crossing a wall of stone that twisted and turned like tree roots, we came across a beautiful reef and...

"Look!" Kiri shouted, pointing.

"A village!" Lo'ak called.

"Obviously!" Ralu shouted at them. He hadn't slept well the previous night due to the storm and Lo'ak kicking him. I wouldn't admit it out loud, but I believed Lo'ak was doing that on purpose.

Kiri ignored Ralu's comment while Lo'ak glared at him.

I glanced down as we flew over some Na'vi on the outer regions of the reef, collecting things.

They glanced up at us almost...fearfully.

As we flew closer, we spotted more Na'vi in the tent-like structures and even more in the water.

They all started to gather on a small beach as we got nearer.

Well, this is it, I thought, my throat constricting nervously. Time to meet our new neighbors.