CHAPTER 12

After the Tulkun arrived, it felt like nothing could bring down 'Kanu's spirits. She was so happy to finally have the Tulkun back with them. There was so much that had happened in her life that she couldn't wait to share with her friends. Not even the storm that came could stop 'Kanu from smiling.

Her mother had finally allowed the Sully children into their home and all the teenagers - along with Tuk - sat before the fire that was in the center of their pod. Tsireya and Ao'nung had joined them too - though Ao'nung was not really joining in on any conversation. He was just there.

'Kanu could see Lo'ak shooting her glances every once in a while, but it wasn't like before. Before this time, every now and then, she would catch him looking at her. But then he would blush and hurry to look away. Even now he did blush and avert his gaze, but there was something different. He seemed.. even more nervous than usual.

'Kanu looked at him questioningly, but instead of Lo'ak catching this look it was Neteyam who saw. He raised his eyebrows in question and 'Kanu merely glanced at Lo'ak, who was doing everything in his power to seem interested in the flooring of the marui pod. Neteyam snickered silently to himself and 'Kanu did the same - though unsure of what they were laughing at.

"It was magical!" Kiri was saying. The group had been talking about the Tulkun and how majestic they were, "I've never seen anything like it!"

"You'll see it a lot more," Tsireya smiled, causing Kiri to beam at her.

"I love the Tulkun," Tuk sighed dreamily and rested her chin on the palm of her hand.

As the conversation died down, 'Kanu spoke up, "How are you, Kiri?" She asked before she could stop herself. Immediately Kiri's expression fell and she looked down at the ground.

"I'm fine."

'Kanu grimaced as she had now caused awkward tension in the room. Tsireya decided to save her, "I really missed the Tulkun. Didn't you miss them too, Ao'nung?"

Ao'nung felt awkward being there, and he was slightly surprised to have been included in the conversation, "Yes. I missed them very much."

Just then they could hear the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan walking outside. They had not yet made it to the opening of the house and all they could see were their shadows on the walls.

"They cannot stay here any longer!" Ronal hissed at her husband.

Tonowari tried calming down his mate, "None of the villagers will tell them of their whereabouts."

Though neither of them had specified who they were talking about - it was obvious to everyone inside the pod that they were discussing Toruk Makto's family. The group had fallen silent, all their smiles slid off their faces as they unintentionally eavesdropped on this conversation.

"They are endangering not only our people, but the people of every tribe in the surrounding islands!" Ronal said, not sounding at all calmed down despite the leader's efforts.

'Kanu turned her head to look at the forest people inside the room. Kiri looked focused on what they were saying, Tuk seemed beyond confused, whereas Neteyam and Lo'ak hung their heads. The two of them looked guilty. 'Kanu reached her hand over to squeeze Lo'ak's hand comfortingly. This did not go unnoticed by Ao'nung, who glared at their hands - yet he did not say anything for the sake of going undetected for as long as possible.

Lo'ak met her eyes and 'Kanu could see the surprise in them. Instead of gazing back at him - which she would have gladly done had the situation been any different - she turned her eyes to the fire as she listened intently to her parents argument.

Though she seemed to be paying no mind to him, both her hands were placed securely around his. Lo'ak looked down at their hands and he could not help the thought that popped into his head - it was perfect. The way she held onto his hands. The way her fingers subconsciously wrapped around his additional finger.

"The tribes will be fine," Tonowari assured Ronal - claiming Lo'ak's attention once more, "They have not killed anyone."

Who were they? Tsireya looked at Neteyam and mouthed: "Who?"

Neteyam merely shrugged his shoulders, not answering her question.

"They have not killed anyone yet," Ronal completed Tonowari's sentence, emphasizing the last word. It was clear that she was concerned for her people - but this only made 'Kanu question why. What danger was lurking over them that would make her mother so stressed out? It was not good - her mother was pregnant and stress was the last thing she needed in her life. "They have already burned down one of the tribes' homes!"

Tonowari sighed, "We cannot kick them out. We took them in."

"Then what shall we do?" Ronal asked, desperation evident in her voice.

"I will talk to Jakesully," The chief told her, "We shall discuss this together."

From looking at the shadows, Ronal seemed to nod before Tonowari turned back around and walked off through the rain. 'Kanu turned her attention back to the Sullys, who looked like they never wanted to face her parents again. It must have been horrible for them, leaving their home and on top of that now someone bad was looking for them. 'Kanu felt horrible for never even considering what it must feel like leaving everything behind.

'Kanu could feel Lo'ak squeezing her hands tighter as everyone watched Ronal's shadow drawing closer and closer to the entrance until she appeared in the opening. Immediately her stressed expression was replaced by a shocked one as she covered her mouth with her hand. She had most definitely forgotten that she'd agreed to let them all visit. "Oh.." the Tsahik said, guilt and pity lacing her voice.

'Kanu could tell the Sullys did not wish to be there, so she was the first to stand up. She was still conveniently holding on to Lo'ak's hand and helped him up, "Let's go," she said quietly to everyone. Everyone followed behind her without a word and they passed her mother who looked after them sadly.

The minute they had made it past a few Marui pods, Ao'nung turned on the Sullys, "Who is following you? Who is trying to kill you and why would they go through the other tribes to get you?"

"Now is not the time," Tsireya placed a hand on her brothers shoulder.

Neteyam looked sad as the group continued to walk, "The skypeople. They are the reason we had to flee."

'Kanu turned around to look at Lo'ak. The two of them came to a stop as the others continued walking along the path through the rain. He could not bear to look into her eyes. "What is this?" She asked him, "Is it true? The skypeople want to kill you?"

Slowly, Lo'ak nodded, confirming his brothers words. From what he had gathered, they were the only people who would go this far to get them. 'Kanu let go of his hand in shock. Well what had she expected? They had come to them in the first place to seek refuge - to keep their family safe. Was she truly so naive that she never gave it a second thought?

Lo'ak's eyes grew wide when he no longer felt her hand in his. Instantly, he grasped onto her hands with both of his, searching her eyes for any sign that she was angry at him, "I thought that you knew. I would have told you - I never meant to lie to you-"

"It is alright, Lo'ak," 'Kanu assured him, "I knew. I just never thought they could find you here."

Lo'ak sighed and let go of one of her hands to hold his head as he looked down at the ground, "We are putting everyone in danger. What do I do?" The rain fell down of them, soaking the both of them but they payed it no mind.

"That choice is for your father to make," 'Kanu said, pulling his hand away from his face gently to meet his eyes, "You will have to go along with whatever he decides. But I do hope.. I wish that you stay."

Lo'ak locked his eyes onto hers before he spoke quietly, "Me too."

The comfortable silence which had formed between the two was suddenly disrupted by Ao'nung, "'Kanu! Lo'ak! Hurry up!" 'Kanu glared at him over Lo'ak's shoulder and saw him looking back at her with just as much spite. When he fell in love she would make sure to repay this favor.

Lo'ak let their hands part, "I will go now," he told her, not looking back to see the others waiting for them.

"Wait - where will you go?"  'Kanu called and turned to watch him jumping into the water. Confused, she looked back at the group who were walking back to where she stood.

"Where did he go?" Neteyam asked, jogging up to her and keeping his eyes on the ripples that had formed on the surface of the water where Lo'ak had disappeared.

'Kanu sighed, "To see Payakan, I think."