That surprised Tiva. Ninat was the best singer in the clan. That was a biggest shock out of everything.
" how did they die?"
" They tried to attack humans as Sylwanin did"
Jake said thinking Tiva might stop that conversation as he didn't know much more. Honestly, no one knew much about her past and her parents were just an assumption which was never confirmed.
" Fine... I should have connected to Eywa to see them" Tiva said. Neteyam felt worse after that.
" Yeah. We don't know much. And... It's still a mystery that how you were survived"
" Why?"
" Because your Kuru was already cut when we found you. And they took a lot of blood from your body and... Even cut your tail... But those were grew back slowly... We don't know how."
Neteyam was horrified. It was something he never knew. Jake felt so wrong about telling that straight to her face.
Tiva was thunderstruck then memories came to her mind. How some scientists experimented an Avatar Kuru placing it on her body when she was just a baby. Then they included a memory chip of Trudy Chacon on her brain which made perfect sense at this point.
" So, I wasn't weak " Tiva muttered.
" Yeah, we could have raised you instead.." Jake said. Tiva looked at him with a surprise.
" You don't have to worry. Grandma raised me..."
Tiva just said. Neteyam hissed this time. She didn't care at this point. Jake wanted to say a lot of things about Artsut but he could not say much.
" I hope your son didn't talk about the embarrassing thing I've done... "
" He did. It was convenient."
Tiva frowned at Neteyam he could only grin. Out of nowhere he found she was more cute when she is mad.
" Whatever... Now I have to say something to you Toruk Makto "
" What's that? "
" Vawmipa looks exactly like Yomiting. But she is from Mangkwan clan..."
" I noticed that too" Neteyam said.
" glad you didn't kiss her"
" Calm down child. You behave like Tsu'tey sometimes. Yeah, it was very much confusing".
" Did Yomiting's parents were here when she was born?"
" Arvok was already exiled. He came with 2 babies secretly one day and Artsut began to raise them forgetting all about your growth process"
" Their mother can be dangerous as Vawmipa said"
" Na'vi won't harm us" Neteyam argued but it made Tiva clenched her fists.
" I gotta go kids. Neteyam you have to stay the whole day with her".
Jake commanded and left. Neteyam was the last person Tiva wanted to see right now after his bold confession. But his pleading eyes as if he is a thanotar about to get kicked softened Tiva.
" I hope your father is aware of what he is doing. Staying whole night with a girl is a weird order.".
" It makes sense. He is planning us to be mates"
" Hell no. I could have guessed it. But you should suffer for mating before age"
" My parents mated when my mother was 18 too".
" and she got pregnant with you just after that goddamn war. You are loved by everyone anyway.".
" Don't start with that. I can only..."
" I know. I hope we've never meet after this.".
..
" Tiva... Are you serious...?"
" You've mated with my enemy. Go with her. Why would I even talk to you. "
" but she tried to kill me... I should forget about her"
" What happened to your perfect solider inside? All gone because of her?"
" Yes"
" I could have killed her. So you would never talk to me..."
" I would talk to you... Though"
" After every betrayal why would you love her?"
" because.... Because I don't know... I just don't like you"
" and I am not like in your equal level as her. I can never be a Tsahik... I am physically too weak..".
" Tiva.." Neteyam couldn't finish the sentence because it was what he thought of.
" Always stick to goddamn duty. Keep up with that. I can forget your existence"
" Don't be like that.... I like..."
" you like Vawmipa or Tsireya then?"
" how the hell you know?"
" Because both of them are Tsahekran. And much more prettier than my whole existence. Hate to break it to you but they won't like you..."
" how dare you.. Say that? "...
" Because Tsireya likes Lo'ak. And Vawmipa likes Zaxtu "
" Shut up" Neteyam yelled. But her defiance intrigued him.
" besides, Yomiting let humans to abuse Vawmipa. So it's beyond possible"
" What?"
" Yes, otherwise why would she hate you in the very instance you confessed your love for Yomiting".
" Watch your tone, Skxwang. I might forget you're injured".
" then don't care about I am injured. Just kill me"
" Skxwang... I would never kill you. I owe you a lot. But don't hurt me this way. I still has feelings for her.."
He was about to cry. Tiva didn't feel bad about that. This did not raise her pity. Yet, she hugged him anyway. Neteyam hugged her back and sobbed in her arms. It was embarrassing but he was tired of hiding his emotions.
" I am tired Tiva... I am tired of obeying my father. I thought she was my only happiness... Till I know her true colors. She acted so sweet... I can't forget her that easily... Even after 4 months has passed"
" I raised her... I loved her. Took care of her as my own little sister... But she wasted no time to stab me. I can never forget how dual she is.."
" I know. But you know how strict my father is.... If you've never ever saved me or our people he would never let us even be this close... "
" So, he is setting this up without forcing you. "
" He is like that always. What should I do Tiva? "
" You're asking from me? "
" Yeah. ".
" Fine.. When I got recovered let's go to see Palun's clan before your father order you to be mate with me"
" huh? Out of everyone you like Palun?" Neteyam backed off and asked feeling immense disappointment.
" He is a handsome guy though. I don't like any man at this point.".
" You dislike me in the instance I rejected you?"
" Yeah, I have enough self respect than you think"
" Argh... Why. You could have just given me time"
" stop giving me mix signals. Just hate me"
" I don't hate you. But... You and Palun aren't good match."
" I never said I will mate with him".
That relived Neteyam for no reason. He sighed in relief even when Tiva was hissing at him. In that instance, Neteyam realized may be being with her isn't a much troublesome as he thought.
" So, I will marry you then"
" What?"
" I will marry you. Will spend rest of my life with you. You saved my life. I can't repay that in any other way"
" What is wrong with you?"
" I know that's crazy. But how can I live with guilt... I would rather be with you over her."
Neteyam said observing her. He always wondered why everything happened around her always become too much to bear.
" then why the hell.... Never mind. Are you sure about that idea... "
" I am not sure"
" Then don't go to that idea. I don't force you. You can try others."
" Really? I thought you wanted to claim me"
" Maybe I was. But not any more. If love was claiming I never loved anyone."
Neteyam was stiffened after that. To him she was too much even in love. Even if his family set this up his father will pressure her as well. Getting scolded by elders wasn't anything new to her. But even if Neteyam got scolded it would be much harsher.
" You're too much in everything."
" if you still love her I don't hate you. But don't expect me to speak a word with you"
" Find don't speak anything. You will need me after a minute. You'll regret every second of it"
Neteyam said and left. He knew it was harsh. But he can't pamper softness or innocence. He was supposed to lead till Yomiting ruined everything. He would have to lead anyway.
Tiva managed to get up. It was nearly a week from that wound. Afterall why would she need receive treatments from someone who never even cares much about that.
Tiva went to see her friends instead. They were happy to see her.
" Damn, you took long time to get up" Vawmipa said.
" Yeah, It was a quiet stab"
" of course that... Monster" Zaxtu said.
" hmm.. Guys. Can we stop talking about that."
Palun asked. He always hated the idea about war. He noticed Neteyam's presence in a distance.
" He's coming"
" let's go somewhere else bro." Tiva said while patting Palun's shoulder. Neteyam hissed in that distance. He did not know why he was so jealous.
" Ehm, I thought she is your mate" Auonung said.
" well... I don't like her"
" Why? There's nothing wrong with her. Afterall she is the least trouble maker I've seen in Omatikaya"
Neteyam side eyed him. Auonung found this situation so funny. Out of everyone Tiva got the warmest welcome from his clan. He knew Neteyam would felt resentful about that.
"chill bro. If you want to get her just talk to her"
" I don't want Tiva"
" Seriously?"
" Yeah"
" Why?"
"Because I like someone else. And she isn't that pretty"
" You consider looks out of everything?"
" Don't you?"
" I do. But she is fine"
" Then try her"
" I found another baddie man.".
When Neteyam wanted to ask who is that Auonung slipped away from him. By now Tiva was in the middle of 3 boys. Neteyam doesn't even know their names. Palun was just like her. Zaxtu was too handsome but Tiva wasn't whipped. Then there was Raktun who was low-key looked like Lo'ak.
" What are we gonna do?" Zaxtu asked ignoring Vawmipa's flirtations.
" Well, how about going to visit my clan. They will happy to see you" Palun said.
" You won't take her any where" Neteyam said.
" excuse me?" Palun asked being frightened.
" Don't be scared bro. He can't hit you as long as I am here"
Neteyam was baffled by that. That was unexpected. Palun sighed in relief. Zaxtu raised his eye brows.
" Neteyam, what's your problem?"
Zaxtu asked.
" Never mind."
" I think he is jealous" Vawmipa said.
" Nah, he hates her having fun" Paw'ri said.
Neteyam went close to Tiva. He was furious but Tiva was frowning at him too. Their foreheads touched just when Kiri came with Spider after roaming around.
" You and your stupid friends can't insult me"
Tiva didn't say a word. Instead she used sign language knowing that Neteyam was terrible at that but know most important ones.
Tiva showed both of her middle fingers to him. Neteyam couldn't believe it. This wasn't the innocent girl he knew. Kiri was surprised. Spider found that was very funny.
" damn... She is really something" Kiri said.
Lo'ak also saw this in a distance. He found this very much amusing. Even Payakan jumped up and down.
" Bro, just say with pleasure" Lo'ak muttered.
Tiva was calmed down after a while and she didn't know the meaning of middle finger. Neteyam knew that too. But it secretly did something on him.
" Palun...let's go to your place today.".
Neteyam held her hand tightly. But Tiva stepped on his feet and made a sound. Just then her Ikran;Maya came. And she got into her Ikran and signed Palun to come. Palun as clueless he was obeyed her instantly. Tiva made sounds that other Ikrans near by came right away.
" Let's go guys. Zaxtu tell your leader that we're leaving"
None could stop them after a while. Tiva left with others. As mad Neteyam was he followed them with his Ikran. Tiva sensed the danger and signed Palun to ride her Ikran and jumped to the sea.
Neteyam got a splash of sea water. After a while Tiva got up from the water. Dirt on her body was completely gone. Her messy hair was straightened by water.
Neteyam couldn't help but stare at everything he just witnessed. Tiva didn't even look at him
" guys let's have a fun here today. After all there is no end in Ocean"
" Yeah, that's good" Palun said instantly.
Vawmipa jumped from Ikran as well getting wet on purpose. Tiva removed her bandage. Her wounds were completely healed to Neteyam's surprise.
" Gotta admit, if you cleaned yourself more you would look attractive" Vawmipa whispered on her ear. Tiva saw Neteyam's face he was biting his lips. Though it was too much he didn't mind staring if it was only both of them.
" let's leave them alone guys" Zaxtu said. Others also realised what's going on and slipped away. Tiva realised they think it's a private moment of her and Neteyam. So, she got deep in to the sea ignoring his existence. Then she saw Payakan and her anger and despair vanished instantly.
Neteyam found her smile was beautiful. Tiva hugged Payakan and thanked him for the help he had done. Then Payakan left with Lo'ak. Lo'ak winked his brother which made Neteyam want to punch Lo'ak's face.
Neteyam regretted rejecting her now. He went close to her only to see her frown. Fishes swam between her it was one of the beautiful sight he ever saw.
He realised duties aren't the everything to persue. Even if the situation is too much complicated.
" Hey, say something at least."
But Tiva said nothing. Neteyam looked at her in the eye which made her flushed anyway.
" Please forgive me.."
" fine....but this is the last time"