●"Lani, wake up." The mentioned Na'vi was fast asleep on her side. She opened one eye and tried blinking the sleep away. She subconsciously looked for her youngest son but upon not feeling him, she assumed he was up already.

Her vision was still blurry when she spoke, "The most beautiful Tsahìk has woken me up. I must still be dreaming."

Ronal could only smile at her wife's antics and shake her gently again. "You must get up."

Nalani's ears twitched but her eyes remained closed causing Ronal to shake her once more.

"Lani, we don't have time for this." No, they never had time to just exist anymore. It was always something tugging one of them away. Rather related to Jake or to the neighboring islands. Nalani wanted a time where she could have her mates to herself for a night. She sighed deeply to herself and enjoyed the feeling of her Tsahìk calmly stroking her skin.

"She's still not waking?" Tonowari's voice held onto the tiredness of yesterday. It was raspier than usual but also quiet. It didn't hold its usual conviction just yet and it made Nalani smile. Right now, he wasn't in olo'eyktan mode, he was simply Tonowari. Her mate who had the biggest heart and a even bigger d-

Ronal shook her head fondly and encouraged the man to try waking their gentle giant up. It was clear to them that something was on her mind.

The chief sat in front of Nalani and rested his hand in her hair. "What is bothering you?"

Nalani's eyes opened slightly, "I am tired." She closed her eyes again but leaned into his hand. She basked in the affection she was receiving from her mates.

Next to them, Ronal scoffed jokingly, "Aren't we all?"

Tonowari held back the slight chuckle building in his chest, "We have visitors today and I would like for you to be kind." To be completely honest, he wasn't worried about Ronal's emotions. He knew where she stood and what to expect from her. But Nalani was different. She was too unpredictable and that's what made him be on edge.

Nalani sighed once more and finally looked at her mates. "I'll be on my best behavior if and only if you both promise to give me one night." The two in question looked at each other briefly. It was then they could feel Nalani's longing through their bond. She missed them.

Ronal caved first surprisingly and nodded, "Of course." Her tone lost any ounce of sarcasm or harshness. It was soft in a way that was just for the two loves of her life. She clearly had the biggest soft spot for her wife.

Nalani's smile grew and she looked up at their shared husband expectedly.

He leaned down to press a quick kiss to her lips, "Anything for you." Nalani didn't let him go so easily and clasped her hand around the back of his neck. He let her pull him down until their lips met once more and with a surge of neediness.

Nalani sat up only to be pulled into another heated kiss with her usually shy mate. Ronal's hand rested against her cheek and the two moved in sync like they've done it a thousand times. Ever so slowly they pulled apart and Nalani gripped both of her mates' hands with a nod.

"We have tonight." It was a reminder to herself.

♡

"I still do not like this..." Ronal's displeasure with the fact her mates had made such a decision left a bad taste in her mouth. She sat on her knees collecting things she would need to help Kiri. Beside her was a quiet Tsireya and Nalani.

"I don't either but we must trust our husband and support his decision as Olo'eyktan. I also believe Jake wouldn't risk bringing harm to our village." Nalani mindlessly passed Ronal different items that even she didn't know of. Occasionally, she would brush her hand against Tsireya, hoping to bring some type of comfort. The young girl blamed herself for what happened to Kiri and regretted breaking the bond so violently.

"Tsireya, what are your thoughts?" Ronal glanced at her daughter with sharp eyes. Tsireya flinched at the sudden acknowledgment and stumbled to answer but Ronal continued. "You are to be Tsahìk and must pay attention to matters such as these."

"I think mother is right. Father is our leader and he has our best interests in mind at all times. So if he says to trust him then it's the least we can do."

Nalani saw a flash of pride and a hint of displeasure briefly come across Ronal's eyes. Silence filled the empty space between them until the Tsahìk finally let out a hum of approval.

Tsireya let out a quiet sigh of relief and smiled when Nalani winked at her to show her approval as well.

The silence didn't last long because Rotxo and Ao'nung all but rushed in.

Nalani was on her feet with a quickness that few possessed. She was also on guard today even though she had agreed to this meeting. Without knowing it she had moved to stand in front of her still kneeling wife. "What is it?"

"Father wants you to be with him for when they arrive." Ao'nung spoke up clearly while Rotxo went to greet their younger sister.

Nalani nodded with a blank expression. She looked to Ronal who still looked to be uneasy. The gentle giant kneeled down to press her nose to her wife's cheek lovingly. "My love, you must not worry yourself so much. Trust in our mate and in me."

The Tsahik could only sigh and reluctantly nod. The two shared a chaste kiss before Nalani then stood," Ao'nung, Rotxo." The two already knew that meant to follow her but Tsireya also wanted to come.

The girl started to stand when Nalani held her hand out, "Finish helping your mom then come find us."

♡

Nalani walked with her head held high as usual while she managed to her husband. She wasn't surprised to see a small crowd amongst them. Tonowari most likely had made an announcement so that their people wouldn't be alarmed by the arrival of sky people.

He was currently discussing something with an anxious Jake. The two men broke their conversation when Nalani made her presence known by tucking herself under Tonowari's arm.

"Toruk Makto, always able to bring people together." She playfully gestured to the wandering Na'vi. Tonowari smiled down at her and pressed a kiss to her head. He wanted to be more affectionate after their talk this morning.

Jake shook his head with a small grin. His anxiousness had started to die down from the ice breaker. "I'm not him anymore."

She snorted and pressed her nose into her husband's neck inhaling his scent, "No, now you're old and wrinkly."

Tonowari chuckled quietly which made Nalani's smile widen. But she suddenly became serious and looked to Jake, "Your human people should arrive soon, yes?"

The sound of spinning blades made their ears twitch and Jake let out a sigh of relief, "Speak of the devil.."

Nalani had wide eyes while watching the sky people's technology descend onto the sand. The blades were spinning violently and so quickly that they created a mini sandstorm. It was memorizing to her to see and hear so up close. She wanted to know how it worked and better yet how to take it down. She covered her eyes out of instinct but stood tall against the harsh winds carrying sand.

The fast propellers finally stopped and most of the clan curiously surrounded it. Nalani watched carefully making sure none got too close. She was still cautious of the sky people technology and put her guard up once more.

Subconsciously, she took a step forward only for a broad arm to stop her. Her head turned to see her husband holding his hand out in front of her with an unreadable expression.

Without turning to look at her he muttered a low, "Stay." And for once she obeyed with amused eyes.

♡

Later on, Nalani smoothly walked into the marui holding a basket on her hip. Behind her was her wife whose face was hardened and cold. She could feel Ronal's anxiety bubbling underneath the surface and did her best to ease both of their minds.

They looked around at the foreign people cautiously but Neytiri was happy to see them. She would prefer Na'vi to work on her daughter before anything else. Her trust in the older Tsahìk was unwavering.

But Ronal couldn't take seeing these things inside her village.

She scoffed under her breath, "I see I am not needed here." Her body turned to the exit just as Neytiri gripped her arm. The action didn't go unnoticed and before anything could be said, Nalani was grabbing Neytiri's arm so tightly, there would definitely be a bruise.

Nalani's eyes held not once an ounce of fondness and flickered from silent anger to protectiveness. Her ears were pulled back and her fangs were bared slightly.

"Let go of my wife." Words had never held so much meaning until now. They were forced through clenched teeth as Nalani fought against the instinct of protecting what was hers. She had to remind herself that Neytiri was a friend and was not thinking straight due to her ill daughter.

Neytiri wasn't one to back down but seeing Nalani struggle with herself to contain her composure was unsettling. She let go of Ronal's arm and within the same second Nalani was between them. The usually gentle giant peered down at the forest Na'vi with a clenched jaw.

The upset and anxious mother peered over Nalani's shoulder to look at Ronal. "You are Tsahìk."

With that being said, Ronal stepped closer to her wife and linked their arms together. The two made eye contact with Ronal trying to convey her emotions to a wary Nalani. Even if Ronal didn't appreciate being grabbed, she had a job to do and with a softened gaze she nodded at her protective wife.

Hesitantly, Nalani allowed her head to bow slightly and stepped aside.

"Remove these things." Ronal waved her hand in the air in disgust.

Immediately, Neytiri whipped around, "Out! You have done nothing." She damn near pushed them out the marui after Kiri's IV was taken out.

Nalani eyed them down strongly even though Jake walked with them. As tempted as she was to follow them out, she opted for staying inside with her wife.

Neytiri sat on the ground with her knees pulled to her chest. Her tail wrapped around her body and she quietly prayed to Ewya.

While Ronal worked with the help of Tuk, Nalani watched Neytiri carefully. Even though they had a slightly intense moment, she still worried about her.

She sat next to her and let her smallest finger touch the hand of Neytiri's.

The distraught mother looked up at Nalani with confusion but was grateful for the comfort.

Nalani didn't look at her but spoke clearly, "She's going to be okay." She had no doubt that whatever was going on with Kiri would be cured by her mate.

Neytiri eyed Nalani's side profile watching how the muscled woman watched Ronal with eyes of adoration. She felt her lips quirk upwards the slightest bit at the sight.

She noticed Nalani was logical, emotionally level-headed and only placed bets she knew she would win. So if she was confident then Neytiri would be confident too.

With that, she let her finger rest against Nalani's and turned her attention back to her sleeping daughter. ●