𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐒

〶

As the Sullys frantically gathered around Kiri, Toku stood there, feeling utterly helpless. He wanted to do something, anything, to help her, but there was nothing he could do but watch and wait for someone with healing knowledge to arrive.

Time seemed to crawl as they waited, and Toku's mind was filled with uncertainty and fear. He wished he could understand what was happening to Kiri and ease her suffering, but he felt powerless to do so.

Instead of Toku's mother, a strange sort of flying machine arrived with an unfamiliar Na'vi and another unfamiliar man. Toku quickly exited the room as they began connecting Kiri to an unknown machine. Standing outside her family's Marui, worry etched on his face, Toku saw a stroke of luck as his mother approached the Marui, with Ayani following closely, carrying her tools. Ayani gave him a small smile before entering the Marui with Ronal.

Eager to know if Kiri would receive the help she needed, Toku hurriedly followed them inside. However, his hopes were dashed when his mother spoke up. "I see that I am not needed here," she stated upon seeing the assortment of machinery, clearly ready to leave. Neytiri quickly intervened, reminding her, "You are Tsahik!"

But Toku's mother remained steadfast. "Remove these things," she commanded, her tone unwavering. "Out! You have done nothing!" Neytiri's voice rose with frustration, and the group was forced to leave the Marui, with Ronal staying behind to assist Kiri.

Toku felt a mix of anxiety and helplessness as he watched the scene unfold. Neytiri began chanting a prayer to Eywa as she commenced her healing work on Kiri. Unable to bear the sight of Kiri's unconscious form, Toku left the room once more, only to find a somber-looking Jake engaged in conversation with the unknown Na'vi.

"Toku..." Jake's voice was gentle as he addressed him. "How is she?" Toku could only shake his head in response, his concern for Kiri weighing heavily on his heart.

Before Toku could even respond, the cries from within the Marui interrupted, drawing Jake's attention. As Jake hurried inside, Toku found himself frozen in place. However, his pause was short-lived as Ayani emerged from the Marui and approached him.

She gently placed her hands on his shoulders, and her words brought a mix of relief and concern. "She's okay," Ayani assured him before pulling him into a hug. Toku felt a sense of gratitude for her comforting presence. Ayani continued, her voice sincere, "I believe my family and I will be leaving today... I just want you to know how good of a friend you are, Toku." Her friendly smile warmed the moment.

"Thank you," Toku replied, his voice appreciative. "Especially for being so understanding. I'm sure there will be a Na'vi out there who will be lucky enough to be your mate." His words brought a giggle from Ayani.

"Thank you," she said softly. "Now go see Kiri. I'm sure you owe her an explanation." With that, she walked away, leaving Toku to gather his thoughts and emotions before he would face Kiri once more.

The sound of her soft cries tore into Toku's heart, urging him to slowly make his way into the Marui. Inside, he witnessed the family gathered around Kiri, embracing her in a comforting hug as she endured her moments of pain.

Toku felt like he was intruding on the group, but when Kiri's tears were wiped away and the family finally noticed him, they all agreed to leave the pair alone, making their way outside. Kiri still had a sad look on her face as she sat on the floor, not meeting his apologetic gaze. But Toku didn't care; he hurried to Kiri's side, sitting beside her, and pulling her into a hug, to which she slowly returned.

He planted a kiss on her forehead, whispering in her ear, "I'm so sorry, my love..." He brushed her softly with his hands, grazing her cheek as a tear slipped out.

Gazing into her eyes, Toku shook his head, "It wasn't what you thought... I tried to explain, but–" His words were cut off as Kiri wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep and passionate kiss.

Kiri was quickly pulled into his lap the kiss turning heated an intense atmosphere of lust beginning to take over.

However, before the two could even catch their breath, a very loud cough shattered the moment, coming from none other than Jake.

They hastily jumped apart, their faces a mixture of embarrassment and guilt. Jake's narrowed gaze was fixed on Toku, motioning for him to follow. Kiri let out an exasperated groan.

"Seriously?" she asked, but Jake simply nodded, his intimidating gaze still locked on Toku, who, for the first time in his life, felt unusually bashful.

Toku stood up, leaving Kiri on the floor, a mix of flushed and annoyed expressions on her face. The rest of Kiri's family seemed to have been waiting outside, intensifying Toku's embarrassment to an uncomfortable level.

Jake motioned for Toku to take a seat next to him at the edge of the Marui, right beside the water. Toku's awkwardness skyrocketed as he sat beside Kiris father, unsure of what to say.

"I'm really sorry," Toku finally spoke, the tension palpable. Jake looked at him and offered a nonchalant smile. "Ah, don't sweat it," he said, surprising Toku with his response.

"I remember how Kiris mother and I used to be," Jake reminisced, his tone softer now. "But I'll get straight to the point. I'm not ready to be a grandfather, okay?"

Tokus' awkwardness was only increasing. "Uhm... okay," he managed to mumble, rubbing his neck and avoiding direct eye contact.

"Good, good talk," Jake said, giving Toku a rough pat on the back that nearly sent him tumbling into the water. Toku managed a nervous chuckle, appreciating Jake's straightforwardness, even though he still felt a bit mortified.

Jake hastily walked back into his home, seemingly satisfied with their talk. Toku let out a soft sigh, feeling a mixture of relief and residual embarrassment. "Great," he mumbled under his breath, getting up and preparing to head home.

As he started to walk away, he caught sight of Kiri in the midst of preparing dinner with her mother. She glanced his way and quickly mouthed the word 'sorry' to him, causing a smile to tug at his lips.

He shook his head in response, silently communicating that it was all right, and waved to her before continuing on his way back home a smile on his face the entire walk.

Upon reaching his home, Toku was met with the warm atmosphere of his family gathered together. His younger siblings offered him welcoming smiles and gestured for him to join them on the floor for dinner. Toku sat down with them, his heart still carrying the lingering happiness from his time with Kiri.

"What's got you so happy?" Aonung asked, a note of curiosity in his voice as he observed his brother's cheerful demeanor.

Toku just shook his head, a contented smile playing on his lips. His siblings exchanged puzzled looks, intrigued by their older brother's unusually uplifted mood.

For Toku, only one thing had the power to elevate his day even further — spending time with his friends. He knew they had requested Ronal's permission for him to join them for a late-night gathering.

After some convincing and pleading, Ronal had finally given in, allowing him to depart with his group of friends for the night.

"Man, it's been forever!" Dane exclaimed, his voice so loud that it could have easily reached the entire village.

"It's only been like what..." Keleturel mused aloud, counting on his fingers to calculate the time.

"Doesn't matter how long it's been; all that matters is that we're hanging out now," Ri'on chimed in, casually draping his arm over Toku's shoulder.

The group spent the late night at the beach, the silhouette of a nearby tree merging into the darkness of the night. Hui surprised them all by swiftly kindling a fire. "Where'd you learn to do that?" Dane asked, dropping down from the tree.

"Girls find it hot," Hui shrugged with a sly grin.

"What girls?" Toku interjected, intrigued.

"The only girls Dane knows are his mum and his sister," Keleturel quipped, prompting laughter from the group.

"Haha, very funny," Hui retorted, rolling his eyes. "I'd like to see you skxawngs make a fire," he challenged with a grin.

"Exactly," Hui added, his smile carrying a sense of triumph.

"But seriously, what girls?" Toku persisted, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Man, shut up!" Hui exclaimed, tossing a stick in Toku's direction, which resulted in laughter from the group.

"Hey Toku, what's going on with you and the forest girl?" Keleturel inquired, curiosity evident in his tone.

"Man, she's fine!" Dane interjected, his thoughts projected loudly before receiving a handful of sand in retaliation.

"Yeah, well, we got something going on, so don't even think about it," Toku said defensively, causing Dane to raise his hands in surrender.

"My bad, my bad..."

"She's pretty hot, though, huh?" Toku added, evoking laughter from the entire group.

"What about you and that Na'ri girl, though, Ri'on?" Hui asked mischievously. "None of your business, that's what."

"Ha!, you mad." Hui continued, laughing like an Ikran. "Probably 'cause that girl gets passed around more than a spear."

"Aye, what's that supposed to mean!?" Ri'on retorted, his voice carrying a tinge of anger.

"Come on, man..." Keleturel interjected, trying to ease the situation.

"Surely you know," Dane chimed in, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Know what?" Ri'on asked, his confusion evident.

"Y'know, she's kind of..." Toku started to say before Hui coughed and whispered the word "slut."

"Man, you don't know what you're talking about!" Ri'on snapped back defensively shoving Hui into the sand

"Chill!" Toku spoke holding back his friend from getting to physical

"Come on, it's not true, right?" Ri'on looked at Toku, who could only offer a sheepish smile in response.

"Damn!" Ri'on exclaimed, prompting laughter from the group.

"Sorry, man, but you're not the only one," Keleturel shrugged, and Ri'on quickly turned to face Dane, who was still laughing heartily.

"Now I know your bald-headed self ain't laughing," Ri'on said, getting a cheeky smile from Dane, which escalated into a playful sand fight between the two. They exchanged good-natured insults, and the rest of the group joined in the laughter.

By the end of the night, Toku felt thoroughly worn out as the group delved into all sorts of topics on their minds. Gradually, they bid each other goodbye, the weariness evident on their faces as they headed home. Finally, it was just Toku, alone in the quiet of the night. He slipped back into his home as silently as possible, settling into a comfortable spot for a well-deserved rest.

〶