ZÈI'LÌ'S WHITE BRAIDS SWING BY THE SIDES OF HER FACE AS SHE PULLS BACK ON HER BOW; LARGE, PIERCING YELLOW EYES NARROWING AT HER TARGET.

She lines up her bow, ears twitching in impatience. The Hammerhead below her is unsuspecting, simply grazing the grass calmly. Ever so gently, she moves her right foot, trying to readjust her footing on the tree. It's head turns slightly, and that's when Zèi'lì makes her move.

Releasing her arrow, it twirls through the air, flashing by plants and flowers alike, in till it finds its way to the Hammerhead's stomach. Zèi'lì cringes at the sound, but moves past it with a shake of her head. Scaling down the tree, she leaps off of one low-hanging branch and onto the forest floor. She creeps slowly to the creature, heart wrenching in sympathy for its suffering.

Zèi'lì hears the quiet whimpers of the Hammerhead as she arrives at the spot it lays, quickly pulling out her newly sharpened knife. She takes a deep breath, before ending its suffering. She opens her eyes carefully, smelling the metallic scent of blood.

"Oel ngati kameie, ma tsmukan, ulte ngaru seiyi irayo," she mutters solemnly to its body, placing her hands on its flesh. No matter how many times she hunts, she still finds herself melancholic each time. Every time, it always feels as if she's killing apart of herself ━━ and that is not a feeling she particularly enjoys. Of course, it was normal for Na'vi to feel for their animal counterparts when hunting, but Zèi'lì's melancholy is always stronger ━━ almost gut wrenching.

  She tends to the body for a few moments, looking for anything that could possibly be dangerous for consumption; before Zèi'lì just barely hears a soft rustling noise from a little ways of her. Her ears perk up, twitching in suspense, before Neteyam pops out from the brush with a relieved expression on his face.

  "Zèi'lì, there you are. Everyone else is ready to head back," he says, stepping towards she and her hunt. He observes her for a moment, before his eyes dart to the Hammerhead's body. Pride twinkles in his eyes, as well as sadness for its loss of life. "Nice hunt, Zèi. This will feed many."

  "Thank you, Nete," she replies, melancholy clear in her voice. She avoids eye contact with him, instead focused on her catch.

He seems to notice, as he lowers himself to the ground beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong, Zèi'lì?"

"Just the usual," she responds dryly, eyes drifting down to his hand on her shoulder. "I still feel odd when I hunt. Like I am killing something apart of myself."

His ears twitch, tail resting around the back of her torso. "I thought you got over that years ago, Zèi'lì."

"You and me both," she huffs, flicking her white hair from her neck. Zèi'lì somehow inherited her mother's full blindingly white hair, despite her siblings only having white tips. She often gets a lot of criticism from her kin for that trait; especially her younger sister, Íva, who always gets on to her for not keeping all hair in braids. Apparently, it was safer and healthier for her hair, but Zèi'lì couldn't care less. Besides, she technically did have braids ━━ just not where Íva approves of. She has two braids that frame the sides of her face, which were decorated with beads that were each of her sibling's favorite colors. She also has one that lays on top of the rest of her slightly curly hair, which loops around the back of her head. It also was adorned with beads, but instead with her parent's favorite colors. Íva often tells her that her hairstyle is impractical, but Zèi'lì never listens. In fact, she almost never listens to anyone.

Neteyam sighs, rubbing her shoulder softly. She finally makes eye contact with him, expecting his usual stern gaze, but instead she finds only softness in his yellow eyes. It takes her aback; Neteyam almost never looked at anyone but Tuktirey like that. He smiles gently, nodding towards the brush he came from. "Come, Zèi'lì. It's time to head back. Kàe'mele will skin us if we take any longer."

"You mean he'll skin me," she corrects, standing up and raising a brow. Zèi'lì watches as he chuckles, rolling his eyes at her comment.

"No, I mean both of us. He's never liked me, for some reason," he says, momentarily looking confused. "I think he believes that I'm a bad influence on you or something. Even though you're the one who's always getting into trouble."

Zèi'lì shakes her head, bending over to heave her hunt over her shoulder. "He's just being himself ━━ an overprotective, asshole older brother. He acts like he's so high and mighty. Like he's perfect and can do no wrong. It's so annoying."

"I figure," Neteyam replies, "Lo'ak says that's exactly how I'm like."

"Well," she starts, "Lo'ak's an idiot. He should be grateful to have a brother like you. At least you stick up for him ━━ Kàe'mele never does for me."

  As she attempts to keep hold of her Hammerhead, she stumbles forwards; right into Neteyam. He catches her in his arms, yellow eyes locking with hers. They stay like that for a moment, before he lets go of her and heaves the Hammerhead onto his well-muscled shoulder.

  Zèi'lì giggles at Neteyam's annoyance filled expression, watching as he rolls his eyes.

  "You are incredibly stupid, Zèi'lì," he says, shaking his head fondly.

  "And you love it!" she teases, poking him in the chest playfully with a large grin. "Now, come on, my mighty warrior. We have to hurry back before my brother murders us."

  WHEN THEY ARRIVE BACK AT HIGH CAMP, KÀE'MELE IS PISSED.

  Not even seconds after they waltz into camp, Kàe'mele is stood before them; a scowl clear on his features. Behind his glaring figure is a sniggering Lo'ak and Spider, an appalled looking Kiri, and an utterly annoyed Íva ━━ almost mirroring her older brother's expression entirely. He scoffs, glaring directly at Zèi'lì. Kàe'mele doesn't even spare a look at Neteyam.

  "You are late, sister," he scolds. "This was supposed to be a quick morning outing. Now, it is afternoon. Any idea why this happened?"

  Zèi'lì fights the urge to roll her eyes, daring to share a quick glance between she and Neteyam. She gains nothing from his eyes, before ultimately deciding she was just going to have to wing it ━━ as always.

  "Listen, Kàe," she begins cautiously, "I kinda got caught up with nature and Eywa and stuff. You know, like Mom does. Then, I stumbled upon this fella," Zèi'lì continues as she taps on the Hammerhead's limp body on Neteyam's shoulder, "and I took care of it as usual ━━ then Neteyam came and helped me with it and I guess we just took a little longer than normal to get back?"

Kàe'mele scoffs again, shaking his head in what looked like doubt. "You are foolish, Zèi'lì. You act as if you are a baby. You have a responsibility to this clan, so act like it. Eywa did not give you your gift just so you can throw it away messing around in the forest."

Zèi'lì gives in to her impulses, rolling her eyes and glaring at her older brother. "You're acting as if we almost died or something! We were only late, Kàe'mele. You need to calm down."

"Actually, both of you should calm down," Kiri speaks up, stepping out from beside Íva, Lo'ak, and Spider. Her tail is lashing behind her as she continues, "nobody has time for stupid arguments. We're all starving, you skxawngs."

"Yeah, Kiri's right," Spider adds, nodding.

"Fine," Kàe'mele says, finality clear in his voice, "then you can go back to your lab. Don't need a human bugging us during meal time." With that, he leaves, leaving Zèi'lì to glare at the back of his head.

"Ugh," she huffs, "why's he got to be so annoying?"

Neteyam chuckles, "like you said earlier. It's 'cause that's who he is."

"Damn, Neteyam. In trouble again? This is a new record," Lo'ak teases as he walks over, swinging an arm around his older brother.

"Oh, shove off," Neteyam retorts, pushing Lo'ak away. "You can't even talk. The only reason Dad hasn't murdered you is because I cover for you, little fko."

"Yeah, Nete's saved our skin more times than I can count, little fko. You have no reason to complain," Zèi'lì smirks, reaching over to pull on one of Lo'ak's braids.

Lo'ak rolls his eyes, reaching up and fixing his hair. "Will you guys stop with that stupid nickname! I'm not five anymore."

"You act like it," Íva chimes in, meeting Lo'ak's glare with raised brows. "What? I'm just telling the truth. You know, there is no word for lie in Na'vi."

"Whatever, Íva. No even likes you anyway. Kiri only puts up with you because she feels bad," he snaps back, ears twitching in annoyance.

  "Lo'ak! Apologize right now. Me and your father did not raise you to be a bully," demands the assertive voice of Neytiri. As their conversation had progressed, she, Tuk, and Zèi'lì's little brother, Tsu'tey, had walked over. "Also, it's feeding time. And, Zèi'lì, make sure bring your hunt to the fire."

  Tuk and Tsu'tey wave as Neytiri sends one last glare at Lo'ak, before taking Tuk and Tsu'tey to go eat.

  "You gonna say sorry, brother?" Neteyam questions, nodding towards Íva, who had a sour expression edged on her face.

  "Fine," he hisses, "I'm sorry for being a skxawng, Íva."

  "Apology not accepted. You wouldn't have apologized if Neytiri hadn't shown up. It's not genuine," she growls back, whipping around and grabbing Kiri's hand; heading away from the group.

  Lo'ak curses, following after her; Spider also trails behind him. "Damn, you are hard to please! At least I apologized, you ungrateful..."

Lo'ak's voice fades into the distance as they walk farther away, but Zèi'lì could still faintly hear his angry ramblings. She turns to Neteyam, shaking her head in amusement. "They'll never stop, will they?"

"Nope," he laughs. "They enjoy it far too much."

Zèi'lì chuckles lightly. "Yeah, they do," she says softly, walking over and grabbing Neteyam's arm. "But we probably need to go. I'm starving, and I don't want my amazing hunt to go to waste."

  "Alright," Neteyam replies, allowing himself to be pulled along by Zèi'lì.

  THE NIGHT CREEPS UP ON ZÈI'LI LIKE A THANATOR.

She lays in her bed, eyes unable to close. Many nights as of late have been like this for her. It seems as if she was too awake to sleep ━━ like there is always something nagging at her to stay awake. She sighs, staring at the ceiling with unflinching eye contact. Her tail lays beside her, and it twitches every second or so. Even if she is unable to sleep, Zèi'lì has to admit that tonight is peaceful.

Nights on Pandora were always stunning. Bioluminescence plants glowing everywhere you could think of, the soft sounds of the wildlife, and the serenity that is only felt at night. Zèi'lì is convinced it came from Eywa herself.

  Turning her head, she sees Íva tossing and turning as usual. Her younger sister never seems to stay still when she sleeps. Zèi'lì can remember very vividly the nights she spent with Íva tucked into her side when they were younger. They were closer when they were little, but as Zèi'lì grew more reckless and Íva more prudent, they began to disagree and separate. Zèi'lì would never admit it to anyone, but there are times when she misses those days. But, those times are over, and moving on is the best way forward. "It doesn't do one well to dwell on the past," as her mother says.

Zèi'lì turns back around, huffing out of boredom. She racks her mind for things to do, figuring that since she was wide awake she could be somewhat productive, but her mind wanders to a very... unproductive idea. Which was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary for her. Zèi'lì is often extremely impulsive, and is known for not taking the time to think things through, which often results in some interesting outcomes ━━ to say the least.

She smirks to herself, slowing creeping out of her resting place with a dazzling gleam of mischief in her eye. Zèi'lì stalks silently through her family's nivi's, careful not to disturb them. As she makes her way through the many nivi's, she passes many families and couples, in till she reaches her destination. Slowly walking up, she spots the Sully's, all congregated around the same area. Jake, Neytiri, and Tuk are all curled up together, Kiri sleeps soundly a little ways from them, Lo'ak is tossing in turning in his nivi that is situated right next to Kiri's, and Neteyam is turned away from Zèi'lì, curled into the side of his nivi.

  Zèi'lì quietly tip toes up to Neteyam's nivi, gazing down at his sleeping body with a soft smile. Reaching out, she taps him on the arm, whispering his name as quiet as she possibly could. He stirs almost instantly, flipping over with an annoyed expression. Zèi'lì holds back a giggle.

  "What, is it morning already?" he asks drowsily, voice hoarser than usual.

  "Shh! You'll wake them up!" Zèi'lì scolds, holding a finger to her lips. "No, it isn't, Nete. I can't sleep, and I'm bored, so I decided to wake you up."

  He yawns, shaking his head. "Why couldn't you have woken someone else up? I'm tired."

  "Because no one else is my best friend," Zèi'lì explains, pulling on his arm. "Come on. It'll be fun. It always is with me."

He rolls his eyes, sitting up with an unimpressed look on his face. "Alright, alright. I'm up, Zèi."

"Oh, I knew you would be. You can't resist me," she teases, grabbing his hands and pulling him up from his nivi.

"Oh, whatever," he replies with clearly feigned annoyance, because of the smile spread across his face.

Zèi'lì grabs his right hand and they head off, still careful not to awake anyone as they make their way to the forest. Eventually, they come across a clearance, one filled with bioluminescent flowers that make Zèi'lì grin at their beauty. 

"They are beautiful, aren't they?" Zèi'lì says, eyes bright as she looks back at Neteyam.

Neteyam looks at the flowers and then back at Zèi'lì, a gentle smile forming on his face. "Mhmhm, but I think I know something even more beautiful," he replies, grinning cheekily with a soft blush coating his cheeks.

"Really? What?" Zèi'lì asks in curiosity, raising an eyebrow at the young Omiticayan warrior.

"Ah, you see, Zèi, I can't tell you. It's a secret," he responds with a smirk, eyes glinting with mischief.

  Zèi'lì rolls her eyes, punching him lightly in the arm. "You skxawng! You can't just say something like that and then go pull the 'it's a secret' card!"

  Neteyam laughs, his stupidly wide smirk still plastered on his face. "Didn't know there was cards."

  "Oh my Eywa, Nete," she reprimands annoyedly, although she fights a smile attempting to creep its way onto her face. "You are the biggest idiot I've ever met!"

  "Ouch, I thought you said Lo'ak was," Neteyam says with fake hurt, placing a hand on his heart and looking away dramatically.

  "No, I said Lo'ak was an idiot. Not the biggest idiot. There's a difference, Neteyam," she teases, losing the fight to the smile and beginning to grin.

"I'm sure there is," he responds lightly, eyes softening as they meet Zèi'lì's. "So, you couldn't sleep again?"

  Zèi'lì nods, pushing some of her white hair to her back. "Yeah, I just can't seem to calm down enough. It's almost like something else is keeping me up ━━ like something is going to happen and my mind just can't seem to find some peace."

  Neteyam gazes at her thoughtfully, taking in her words. "Here, let's sit down. I am still tired from my duties," he says, placing a hand on the small of her back and guiding her to the luminous ground beneath them. When they are sat, he sighs, looking to his side at his best friend in worry. "Maybe there is a reason for your sleepless nights. The war with the Sky People is getting worse, and we aren't making any progress. Maybe Eywa is giving you a sign."

  Zèi'lì chuckles at that, shaking her head. "Eywa, giving me a sign? Impossible. You know better than anyone that my connection to her is practically nonexistent, even if I supposedly inherited Mom's abilities. There's no way in hell that's the case," she quickly shoots down his suggestion, leaning over and resting her head against his shoulder. "I think I'm just going crazy," Zèi'lì concludes.

  Neteyam shakes his head. "Zèi, you aren't going crazy."

She sighs, snuggling into his shoulder as he wraps his arm around her. "Yeah, I know," she replies softly, enjoying the warmth that Neteyam somehow always brings. For some reason, now Zèi'lì feels the lull of sleep; drawing her in. Her eyes begin to close as she faintly feels herself laid on the forest floor, still wrapped up in Neteyam's warm embrace.

Zèi'lì lets out a contented sigh before she lets sleep take her, a little grin resting gently on her face.

THE MORNING GREETS ZÈI'LÌ SUDDENLY AS SHE STIRS.

  The creatures of the forest chirp as she slowly opens her eyes, nuzzling her head softly into the surface she was currently laying on. Zèi'lì yawns, eyes taking in her surroundings. Oddly enough, she is met with the blue of a Na'vi, immediately making her pull slightly away from her resting place. When she is far enough away, her gaze finds the awakening body of Neteyam, stirring as his arms tightened around Zèi'lì's waist; which she had just realized were even there to begin with. Shit. She thinks in panic, removing her arms carefully from his neck. We are going to be in big trouble.

  Zèi'lì attempts to creep out of Neteyam's embrace, but fails as he draws her back in, forcing her to try another way. "Nete," she calls lightly, sitting up a bit and placing a hand on his drowsy cheek. He doesn't reply, instead grunting in weariness and shaking his head. "Nete," she tries again, accept louder.

  Neteyam yawns, shaking his head once again, only this time he replies. "Hm?" he says in a scratchy voice, eyes struggling to open.

  "Neteyam, it's morning. We fell asleep and forgot to go back. Our parents are going to kill us," Zèi'lì explains calmly, softly combing some of his braids out of his face. "We have to head back now, or otherwise━━"

"What the heck?"

"Is that who I think that is?"

"Well damn, I didn't know my brother had game."

Zèi'lì huffs, almost immediately knowing exactly who's voices were flooding to her ears. She quickly jumps away from Neteyam, making sure to remove his arms from her body, so that maybe Lo'ak and Spider wouldn't make too many comments about their... compromising position.

Neteyam awakens completely at the voices and Zèi'lì's departure, eyes popping open with surprise and confusion. He looks to Zèi'lì before he looks to their visitors, almost instantly meeting Lo'ak's amused gaze.

"Good morning to you too, skxawngs," Zèi'lì says annoyedly, her ears pressed to her head and her tail lashing in pure annoyance. She has always had a tendency to be cranky, and this morning was not an exception.

"Oh, look! The lovebirds are awake! I wonder what they did last night," Lo'ak teases, nudging Spider in the shoulder.

Spider laughs, smirking. "Yeah, good one, Lo'ak."

  "Oh, shut it you two! You think you're so funny when in reality you just look like idiots," Íva scolds, glaring at Lo'ak and Spider. "And don't even get me started on you two. What were you thinking? Sneaking out in the middle of the night when we are literally in the middle of a war with the Sky People! You could have gotten hurt, or worse. Ugh, why does it always seem like me and Kiri are the only people with working brains?" Íva rants, rolling her eyes. Zèi'lì finds herself taken aback by her younger sister's pure passion in her tone, reminded almost immediately of her eldest brother. But that was no coincidence. Kàe'mele and Íva have always been close, and often behave very similarly; much to Zèi'lì's dislike.

"Alright, we get it. It was stupid, but we are fine," Zèi'lì tries to reason. "Other than the fact our parents will skin us alive, we're completely unharmed. There's nothing to worry about, Íves."

Íva huffs, ears twitching in anger. "Whatever, Zèi'lì. You're the one getting in trouble. Not me. So I shouldn't even care anyways," she replies harshly, crossing her arms against her chest. "And stop calling me that. It's annoying."

  "Kàe'mele can call you that, so why can't I?"

  "Because you're annoying!"

  "I literally came up with it."

  "So? It's still annoying when you say it!"

  "You say that like everything you say isn't like nails on wood."

  "Ugh! I hate you, Zèi'lì."

  "Great! I hate you too," Zèi'lì responds sarcastically, fake smiling at her angry sister, "glad we share the same sentiment." That very extra but much needed line gets her an elbow from Neteyam, but Zèi'lì merely sends him a smirk back.

  Neteyam shakes his head, clearly tired of all the bickering. "Okay, let's all just calm down," he says, eyes raking past everyone with a kind of authority that seems to always elude Zèi'lì. Somehow, Neteyam just always seemed so calm and collected ━━ almost to the point that it annoyed Zèi'lì. "Okay, now that we aren't arguing, why are you guys out here anyway? It must be early, judging by the sunlight."

  "Because we were looking for you two, Neteyam," Lo'ak explains, looking at Neteyam like he was dumb. "Dad, Mom, and Aunt Isla want you two and me for the next War Party," he relays. "As spotters, of course, 'cause they don't trust us with anything else," Lo'ak adds on in clear irritation.

  Zèi'lì rolls her eyes, pupils quickly meeting Neteyam's also vexed expression. They never get to be on the front lines, and Zèi'lì despises it. She and Neteyam are nearing adulthood ━━ and Lo'ak is right behind them ━━ but apparently they are too young and fragile for the heat of battle. Bullshit. If they are allowed to tame Ikrans, then they should be allowed to battle. At least that's what Zèi'lì thinks. 

    "Damn, will they ever trust us?" Zèi'lì questions, walking over towards Lo'ak to head back to High Camp.

"Nope, Zèi. They think we are babies," Lo'ak replies bitterly, shaking his head.

"You're probably right, little fko," Zèi'lì says, grinning at the eye roll Lo'ak sends her way at the use of his nickname.

The group makes their way back to High Camp with relative ease, the only disruptions being Íva and Lo'ak's inability to not argue over absolutely nothing every second they are around each other. But that was particularly expected, since they never could get along.

  When they walk into camp, it is bustling. Warriors, healers, and normals alike are all preparing, hustling around camp to get Toruk Makto's prized War Party ready for battle. Zèi'lì quickly spots her mother and father nearby, worriedly conversing. Besides them is Jake and Neytiri Sully, watching over the preparations. Zèi'lì, Neteyam, and Lo'ak excuse themselves from Íva, Kiri, and Spider, leaving the three to their own devices. Zèi'lì leads the way to their parents, reading herself for a nice, long scold.

  Isla quickly spots them, immediately turning to her daughter with a disappointed expression. "Ah, good, you've decided to return just in time for the next attack. How convenient, you two," Isla says with conviction, narrowing her eyes at Zèi'lì and Neteyam.

  "Yes, very convenient, don't you think, Neteyam?" Jake adds, glaring directly at his eldest child.

  "Yes, Father," Neteyam responds dejectedly, hanging his head. Neteyam has never liked disappointing his family. Especially his father, since he always tries so desperately to be just as him.

  "My love, Jake, we do not have time to scold our children. The task at hand is too overbearing," Amì, Zèi'lì's father, speaks up, placing a hand around his mates' waist. "We will deal with them later."

  "I agree with Amì," Neytiri says, nodding to Amì. "The warriors are nearly ready. We need to get moving."

  Jake and Isla make eye contact for a small second, before nodding to their mates, directing their attentions back to the War Party.

  "Alright," Jake starts, "with that being said, Neteyam, Lo'ak, and Zèi'lì, please ready yourselves and your Ikrans," he commands confidently. "We leave at once."

I'm sorry, I had to LMAOO 💀💀

Anyways, thanks for reading the first chapter!! This chapter is just a little introduction to all the characters and character dynamics, so it's a little anticlimactic, but I promise next chapter will have some action!! Love y'all all, and please remember to vote and comment!! Support is much appreciated 💖!