Chapter Text
The first days after the battle were a blur. There were the wounded to deal with. Survivors still streaming in. Rai'uk and Kyuna had returned, making me finally be able to relax. Jake was determined to make sure our people were safe before he was transferred to his avatar. So now it was time to find a new home. Something that would fit our people where we could begin anew. A new home. New members. A new leader. Thanks to Tsu'tey, the Omaticaya had a new Olo'eyctan, and not just any Olo'eyctan but one that was human born. One that they taught and accepted as their own. One that didn't need to protect them yet went to the ends of the earth to save them. I couldn't have been more proud of him. I would follow him till the end.
"How are you feeling this night?" Tsanten asked as we lay in each other's arms, his hands moving up and down my back. He was putting me on the verge of sleep.
"Happy." I told him sleepily, shutting my eyes as I placed a kiss against his chest, before resting my head against it. "And you?"
"In love." He whispered before laughing lightly.
Smiling, I met his eyes again. "Happy and in love?"
"Of course." He said and kissed me, pulling me tighter against his chest, burying his face in my neck, playfully biting it.
Laughing loudly, I squirmed against him, at the same time I couldn't move myself from his side. Lying together under the glow of an Utral Aymokriyä sight, we took in the silence and each other, wanting a little time to ourselves. Something that daylight never seemed to provide.
"We should sleep." I smiled at him, kissing him deeply. Starting to feel more awake with his lips against mine.
"Yes we should." He said as he deepened the kiss, pulling his queue over his shoulder.
"Tsanten." I smiled at him, leaning away from him. "We have a full day tomorrow."
He put his forehead against mine, placing a gentle kiss against my nose, "Are you really denying me?"
Laughing, I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. "I am not denying you. I'm simply stating that tomorrow will be exhausting enough without us being exhausted before it even starts."
He sighed, "The battle is over, we've won our home back, you are one of us now, and you suddenly don't feel like making love to your mate."
"You better be teasing me." I told him, feeling on the edge of annoyance.
"I am." He told me quickly. "I am, Sara. I wasn't picking a fight." Sighing, I removed myself from his side and stood. "Sara." He said doing the same. "I was teasing. I didn't mean anything by it, yawne."
"Let's get back." I smiled at him, kissing him.
"Will you share my leaf?" He asked as he wrapped his arms around me from behind, once again burying his face there.
Laughing, I leaned into him, "Of course. It's nice to have a home again."
"Much work needs to be done but the people are safe once again." He said taking my hand as he moved in step next to me.
When we got closer to home, bladder lanterns lined the way to the new village. The tree wasn't as large but we would be able to grow with it. We would once again make a home worthy of our people. Something I was excited to share with. I wanted to be a part of everything we did. What happened was horrible but my old life was over, my new life full of excitement, love, and a life worth living.
When the sun rose, I was happily nestled in Tsanten's arms, the hammock barely big enough to hold us; the threat of falling the earth only slightly possible. When Tsanten shifted, he elbowed me in the side, successfully waking me. Sitting up, I opened the hammock, leaping up onto the branch. Looking down at my still sleeping mate, I smiled, my love for him radiating from me. Gently shutting the hammock, he rolled over, small noises coming from him. Laughing lightly, I stood and moved down the spiral leading to the ground. The high roots that created our gathering space were already full of villagers. Most were still visitors who had yet to take leave. They were set on assisting Toruk Macto in rebuilding his home.
"Sara." Kyuna smiled stepping up to me.
"Kyuna." I smiled, embracing her.
"Are you well?" She asked.
"I am."
"Where is your mate?" She asked.
Rubbing my side, I just smiled at her, "Sleeping."
"Is everything okay?" She asked.
"It's more than okay." I nodded at her, grinning. "He is the most wonderful Na'vi I've ever met. I love him more than anything. And now I can spend the rest of my life with him. I no longer have another body to tend to. This is who I am. Little could make me happier."
"A child perhaps?" She grinned at me.
Grinning back at her, I felt my cheeks flush, "A child would be nice."
"But?" She said, her smile faltering.
"I'm not sure it's even possible." I told her. "My body was grown in a lab. All the necessary organs work but I've never even thought about being able to conceive a child."
"You can and you will." She said hooking her arm with mine.
"From your mouth to Eywa's ears." I told her.
Moving through the rows of wounded, I helped as much as I could, making sure they were as comfortable as possible. Helping our remaining visitors to breakfast and anything else they needed, I made sure they had enough supplies before they departed. No one was going to want for anything while I was alive and able. Helping the women make and mend clothes, weave baskets, and store food, I kept busy. Tsanten rose and made sure to greet me properly before going to hunt with the other warriors. Jake was in constant meetings with the clan leaders that still lingered. We would know nothing but peace while under his leadership.
By the end of the afternoon, my mouth felt like I'd just spent the day in the desert from all the talking I'd done. My hands were sore and my legs felt like they were never going to bend properly from squatting down so long.
"You look tired." Mo'at told me wrapping her arm around me.
"I am." I smiled at her. "I didn't realize being the sister to Toruk Macto would come with so much responsibility."
"You protected the people in his absence." She reminded me. "They look to you for guidance."
"Ugh." I frowned. "I'm tired."
"Go see your human friends who are left here. Take a step back." She suggested.
I just looked at her, frowning, "Are you sure?"
"I am."
"Okay." I nodded, smiling. "If I'm not back before Tsanten returns, please tell him where I am and that I'll be back soon."
"Of course."
"Irayo." I said kissing her cheek before rushing to the section of the village where my thanator family called home. "Loki!" I called. He stood and turned toward me. Leaping onto his back, he lifted his antennae. I quickly connected my queue to his. "We're going to the compound to see Uncle Norm and Auntie Max." I grinned at him. He shook his head letting out an odd noise before he was off.
Racing through the trees, we moved through the usual route we took to reach the compound. We had made many trips there, providing as much as we could to those that lingered. I tried to convince them to go but they refused. Hell's Gate was a complete and total mess. Holes were blown into the sides of it. The halls and rooms were trashed. There was much work that needed to be done there as well. Keeping the residents busy.
"Max!" I grinned when he greeted me through the glass inside the avatar room. It was weird being so big and not able to shrink to their size. "How are you?"
"I'm good." He grinned back. "You look amazing. Happy."
"I am happy." I nodded at him. "I couldn't be happier." He just smiled at me. "I'm sorry. Are you really doing okay here? Where's Norm?" His smile disappeared and he shook his head. "Where is he? Is there a window?"
"He's here." He told me, looking to his right.
"Pull him over here." I frowned, my hands against the glass.
"Norm?" He said and moved from sight.
Fighting the urge to cry, I worried for my friend, waiting for him to come into sight. When Max appeared, he was without Norm. Going to the intercom, I took a deep breath before pushing the button.
"Norm? Please?" I said. "I know you miss her. I miss her too. There is nothing we can do to bring her back. But you cannot just disappear. We need you. I need you." I paused and waited for his response that never came. "Norm. I know you're sad. You deserve to be depressed and to drink and cry and grieve. But Trudy would not want you to fall apart without her. She would want you to survive and thrive in the world that she helped protect. She would want you to be you." Pausing again, there was still nothing. But then Max smiled and stepped away. Looking at the glass expectantly, Norm stepped into sight. His eyes were shimmering with fresh tears, his face was unshaven, his hair unkempt, and his clothes looked like he hadn't changed them in days. "Norm." I frowned at him, my own tears sliding down my cheeks. "I am so sorry."
"I know." He nodded. "I'm sorry too." Clenching my jaw, I attempted to try not to have a complete meltdown in front of him. "Do you think she suffered?" He asked me with furrowed brows.
"No." I replied shaking my head. "I didn't see it. But from what Jake has told me, it was quick." He nodded, sniffling as tears slid down his cheeks, avoiding my eyes. "I need you to be okay."
"I am okay." He told me.
"You don't look it. When was the last time you showered?" I asked him. "Or ate?"
"How do you want me to be?" He frowned. "I loved her and she's dead."
"I understand how you're feeling. I was there."
"And yet Tsanten wasn't actually dead. Is Trudy going to show up alive and well?"
"Norm -"
"She's actually dead, Sara. She's not coming back."
"I know."
"So don't try and tell me that you know what I'm feeling. I know you do. But you had something to keep you going. What am I going to do here? What are we supposed to do other than survive? I don't have an avatar anymore. It's dead too." He told me. "So I'm sorry if I'm wallowing in grief."
Opening my mouth to speak, he was already walking away from me. Max stepped up again, frowning, "He'll be okay. I'll take care of him. Just give him some space. He'll come around."
Nodding at him I sighed, "Okay." He just smiled sweetly. "I better go. If you need anything don't hesitate to send word or show up."
"I will." He nodded.
Leaving, it was a slow and quiet walk back to the village. Seeing Norm that way was depressing. I hoped he wouldn't hate me for too long. Moping into the village, I couldn't help but smile as Tsanten came rushing up to me, wrapping him arms around me, lifting me off the ground and spun me around. Wanting to be happy for him, tears were still in my eyes, making worry cross his face.
"I'm fine." I told him. "Norm isn't handling Trudy's death very well and it's painful to see."
"Did he say something unpleasant to you?" He frowned taking my head in his hands.
"It doesn't matter." I smiled, shaking my head.
"It does if my mate comes home with tears on her cheeks." He frowned.
Smiling, I leaned into his touch before kissing him sweetly. "Your mate is happy in your arms. The way she will stay for the rest of her life."
"Sara." Jake said coming up to me. "Please come help me."
"With what?" I frowned at him. "I've just come from seeing Norm who isn't doing very well. You need to go see him. You haven't seen him since before the battle. He needs someone who can help him through this."
"What am I supposed to say to him?" He asked.
"You haven't transferred yet. Unlink and talk to your friend." I demanded of him. He looked around as if gaging who was listening. "Don't you dare treat me like I am just one of your people." I told him pointing my finger at him. "I am telling you that our friend is suffering and he needs our help. I've tried but you are still human for the time being and you will help him."
He sighed, "Okay." I just looked at him. "Now?"
"Now." I told him.
"If you want me to do that then you're going to talk to the Horse Clan Leader of the Plains." He shot at me.
"About what?" I asked him.
"You'll have to find out." He said kissing my cheek before going to his Ikran.
Turning to him, I sighed heavily, "Be nice to him." Turning back, I walked to a more private part of the village, seeing the Clan Leader and his trusted warriors. "Kaltxì." I smiled at them. They nodded at me. "Jake had to step away and had sent me to speak with you. What can I help you with?"
"Jake is being obstinate." He replied.
"About what?" I asked him with furrowed brows.
" He refuses to compromise. "
"I apologize." I smiled at him. "He didn't specify what exactly you were talking about. Please explain to me what's going on. Do you want something from us? Because we don't have a lot to offer right now except enough food and water for your journey home." He just smiled at me. "What am I missing?"
"It's not something we want. It's something we wish to give." He replied. I continued to frown at him. "We are offering you 50 direhorses to replace the ones lost during the fall of your home and the battle to defend our world. You didn't do it for yourselves. You did it for all of us. It may have started with the Omaticaya but the greed of humans would have spread to all corners if you and Toruk Macto had not stopped them. We offer it as a sign of peace and prosperity between our people."
" Why would he deny such a generous offer? "
" He believes that he can see his people through this time of loss and will be stronger for it. "
" He knows that even we cannot do this alone. You came from your home and lost warriors and direhorse in the process and yet you still make such a wonderful offer. I'm sure he is simply trying to let you down easy. "
He beamed at me. "I take it you will accept our offer?"
"Yes." I beamed back. "They would tremendously help with hunting and traveling and rebuilding and we can regrow our own population back from what we lost. I cannot convey how grateful I am for such an offer."
"The Ikran Clan leader hasn't offered Ikran's have they?" He asked.
"Is this some sort of competition?" I countered.
"No." He said with a light laugh. "I simply wish to help."
"You've helped enough." I told him. "More is not necessary."
He nodded, "That's what Jake said."
Smiling, I nodded back at him, "Thank you."
"Tell Toruk Macto that you should handle future dealings. You are much easier to speak with." He smiled.
Laughing, I nodded at him, "I'll be sure to pass that along."
He bowed to me before taking his leave. Sighing, I returned to Tsanten who was helping strap supplies to Ikran backs before the final members took to the sky. Seeing me, he opened his arm. Smiling, I stepped into his embrace.
"I love you." I smiled up at him.
"I love you." He smiled back, kissing me deeply. "Is everything okay?"
"We just inherited 50 direhorse." I told him.
He raised his brows at me, "That's amazing."
"It is." I told him.
"You look tired." He stated.
"I am." I said resting my head against his chest. "Do you have time to hold me for a while?"
"Of course." He said kissing me again.
"I love you." I told him again.
"Sara!" Ney'ite said rushing up to me.
"What is it?" I asked her.
"We need more supplies for the wounded." She replied. "Tsanten."
"Ney'ite." He nodded.
Sighing, I looked up at him, "I guess we'll have to wait."
"I love you." He smiled.
Running my hand up and down his chest, I kissed him once more before turning away from him, gripping his hand briefly before he was out of reach. Finding Yerik, he assisted me in resupplying them with anything and everything that was needed. There was too many wounded to keep up with. Most of the clans had waited long enough to take their wounded with them. Others left, leaving only a few behind to tend to the wounded before returning home with them. It just added to the stress of building a new home, but I wasn't about to turn away those who had helped save us.
Some hours later, I was seeking out my mate, in need of the comfort and happiness that he provided me. However it seemed that no matter what I accomplished there was always something more that needed to be done. Help was needed to disperse dinner to all the clan members and once again assist the wounded. Some were still too weak to feed themselves. It was night before I finally found myself hiding in our new direhorse herd. They roamed around, stopping by and smelling me every once in a while. One even lay down at my side, sapping nectar from a nearby pitcher plant. Hearing steps, I dreaded who was coming to bother me now.
"Tsmuke." Neytiri smiled, sitting next to me.
"Kaltxì." I smiled, stroking the direhorse.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
I sighed at her, "Hiding from the People." She laughed lightly, nodding at me. "What are you doing?"
"Hiding from the People." She replied.
"Have you seen Tsanten?" I asked her.
She nodded, "He's with Ney'ite passing out the wraps you made earlier." I nodded at her. "He was also helping with the supplies you prepared for the wounded. Using the baskets that you helped weave."
"Are you trying to make a point?" I asked her.
"You've done enough. Do not feel that you need to do everything for the People." She told me. "You've done more for us than our own people. You saved us. You deserve to rest."
"I'm trying to." I told her.
"You want your mate." She stated with a smile. I nodded. "As I want mine."
"Did he say how long he would be?" I asked.
"No more than two days."
"Two days?" I groaned. "I hope he left you in charge of the People."
She laughed, taking my hand. "Do not worry about the People. Go find Tsanten and rest a while."
Looking at her, she looked at tired as I felt. "Okay." I nodded and stood. "Thank you."
"You are welcome."
Finding Tsanten, he was washing his hands, a frown on his face. Not wanting to be interrupted again, I swiftly moved to his side, wrapping my arms around him from behind. Resting my head against the center of his back, I hugged him tightly, already feeling better by simply being with him. He gave a short laugh, putting his arm across mine.
"Kaltxì, yawne." He said sweetly.
"I've missed you." I told him. Pulling me to the front of him, his lips met mine in a passionate kiss. "I see you've missed me too."
"Shall we go to our spot?" He asked.
"Yes." I replied quickly.
Moving toward the thanators, he stopped me with an arm around my waist, "On foot. It'll take longer."
Smiling, I darted into the jungle. Running along the ground and across branches. Falling and using the leaves and vines as we laughed and teased one another all the while. Our lake was further than it had been before, but tonight that was okay. I watched the ground light up under my feet, knowing that these were the only two feet I'd have for the rest of my life. Feeling exhilarated, I threw my head back, relishing the feeling of the wind moving over me, the ground beneath my feet, my Na'vi heart beating in my chest. Tsanten gripped my hand, running together as the jungle lit up around us.
When the lake came into sight, I looked at my mate, raising a brow at him. He simply laughed and picked up pace. Following him, we ran up the outstretched limb and leapt off, diving into the water. Spinning around each other, we broke the surface in each other's arms. Kissing him, I pressed myself against his body, wrapping my arms around his neck. His arms were wrapped around me, holding me tightly as I pulled his queue over his shoulder, bringing mine next to his. Kissing me, I put the queues together, feeling our minds meld filling me with passion and wanting. Pulling off the minimal clothes we were wearing, I smiled at him, keeping his eyes as I kissed him.
Making love in the water, we moved to the bank, pulling down leaves and made love again beneath the glow of the trees. Leaving little rest in between, we made love repeatedly, wanting nothing more than to be with each other. Everything we were thinking and feeling move through our queues effortlessly. Nothing could surpass the feeling of his love for me. Or mine for him. I would be with him for the rest of my life. Me and him. Me, him, and now Kyuna had put the idea of a child in my head. Something that had already passed to Tsanten. Something that he must have wanted too for we had never been as passionate as we were this night. When we finally lay with our arms wrapped around each other, staring into each other's eyes, we both were filled with hope. Hope for the future and the life that we wished to share with each other.
Soon nearly a week had gone by and Jake had yet to return to the village. No one but Neytiri and I were worried about his absence. Thinking about Norm and the condition he was in, I couldn't wait any longer. By midafternoon of the sixth day, Neytiri and I were atop Loki, once again returning to Hell's Gate. When we arrived, my mouth fell open from the difference that had happened in just a week. Going into the avatar section of the compound, we looked through the glass of the lab before hitting the intercom, yelling for Jake or Max or Norm. Anyone who could come tell us to stop worrying about our men.
"It's about time." I frowned at my brother.
"My Jake." Neytiri beamed at him.
"Oel ngati kameie." He smiled at her.
"And I see you." She replied.
"Yes, lovely." I said frowning at them. "Where have you been? Why haven't you come back? And where is Norm? How is he? What is going on?!" By the end I was yelling. Neytiri wrapped her arm around me, looking at Jake with concern. "And for as happy as I am it still feels weird that I can't be in there with you. That I can't go back and help."
"You did help." Norm said coming into view.
"Hi." I smiled at him, putting my hand against the glass. He put his on the other side. He was clean shaven with clean clothes and combed hair. "You look much better."
"I feel better." He smiled.
"I love you, Norm." I told him with shimmering eyes.
He smiled wider, "I love you too, Sara. Sorry about the other day."
I shook my head at him, "None needed."
"My Jake." Neytiri said putting her hand on the glass as well. Jake putting his hand against hers.
"You look like hell." I told him.
Norm got an annoyed look on his face, "He doesn't care anymore. Pretty soon that body will be dead."
"Maybe we can grow you a new one." I told Norm.
"It's fine." He said waving me off. "I've gotta stay small so I can get this place cleaned and up and running again."
"It's coming along." I replied.
"Jake has been keeping everyone busy. He's the leader of the Na'vi and the humans." Norm stated with the annoyance still in his voice.
"We'll take him back at any time." I replied with a hint of annoyance myself.
"Feel free." Norm told me. "Then maybe I can take over this place before he's gone for good."
"It'll be soon." Jake told him. "And you were wallowing. Someone had to do something."
"Well, I'm back now. I'll take care of this place with Max. Science has won."
"How soon?" I asked him. "The People need you."
"They have you." He grinned.
"Stop." I told him, crossing my arms. Hearing Loki making a ruckus outside. Looking to the door, Tsanten appeared. "Is something wrong?" I asked him, putting my hand on his chest when he reached me, wrapping his arm around me.
"No." He said kissing me before looking at Jake. "Olo'eyctan." He said gesturing to Jake.
"Tsmukan." Jake nodded at him.
"Many are leaving." Tsanten told him. "They are asking where Toruk Macto is."
Jake nodded at him. "Tell them I'll be back tomorrow. I want to make one final log to commemorate the end of this life. Tell Mo'at I want to transfer tomorrow night."
"Olo'eyctan." Tsanten said gesturing again with a bow of his head.
"Irayo." Jake said with a nod. "Now, give me a second with my mate." He added looking at Neytiri.
"How did you get here?" I asked Tsanten as we left the room.
"Sally." He grinned. "She's faster than Loki. Slender and amazing."
"I've never ridden Sally." I told him with narrowed eyes. "How did you do it?"
He just shrugged and smiled at me, "I asked." Laughing, I kissed him, reaching up and gently pulling on his ear. Staring into his yellow eyes, I reached behind him, grabbing his tail. "What are you doing?" He asked.
"Nothing." I smiled at him.
"You have ears and a tail too." He said touching both of mine. "Permanently."
"I know." I shrieked.
He laughed and wrapped his arms around me, "Let's go, yawne."
Going to Loki, I told him to wait for Neytiri, joining Tsanten on Sally's back, wrapping my arms around his waist. He smiled at me over his shoulder, attaching his queue to Sally's as she offered it to him. Pressing a kiss between his shoulder blades, I gripped him tightly as Sally took off through the jungle. He hadn't done Sally justice. She really was amazing. Her speed was unmatched and she slid us through and over more of the jungle than Loki ever had. She was far, far more daring then her mate, putting us in the village in just over half the time it took with Loki.
"Wow." I said sliding from her back.
"I know." He grinned at me. "She is amazing."
"Very." I said rubbing her head as she lowered it to me. "You are more than amazing." I told her before adding in a whisper, "Don't tell Loki."
Tsanten appeared next to me, wrapping his arm around me as we went to Mo'at, telling her what Jake had told us. Going and relaying the same to the clans who were eager to depart, it seemed that by the end of tomorrow there was a good chance that only the Omaticaya would remain in the village.
Spending the remainder of the day making baskets and filling them with anything and everything the other clan members would need, helping load them onto direhorse and ikran alike. By the time that was done the sun was down, our bellies were full and everyone had a place to sleep.
"Come to bed." Tsanten told me as I sat alone next to a fire, a pile of baskets next to me.
"Just let me finish this basket." I replied with furrowed brows. He sighed, taking the basket and throwing it into the fire. It immediately caught, leaving my ears back and eyes narrowed as I looked up at my mate. "Oe ka pxel nga."
"I don't like you either." He replied holding out his hand to me, a smile on his face.
Sighing, I knew there would be no swaying him. Taking his hand he led me to our hammock, dropping down into it and looking up at me. Smiling, I dropped next to him. He swiftly pulled me into his arms, burying his face in my neck as I nestled my back against his chest. Unable to sleep without the feeling of him against me. Not wanting to.
When the sun rose, I triple checked the supplies before breathing a sigh of relief when Jake finally appeared. He made a nice speech and had a lengthy talk with the Plains Clan Leader before seeing the remainder of our guests set out. As soon as they were gone there was a collective sigh of relief. Life could finally start to go back to normal. There were a thousand things to do but without the extra stress of guests it wouldn't seem as much of a burden.
"50 direhorse?" Jake said with crossed arms.
"It was a nice gesture, Jake. It would have insulted them not to accept."
"I already told him no."
"And I said yes." He just glared at me. Sighing, I crossed my arms, "Over half our herd was destroyed. We need them. We can build a bigger better herd because we cannot find better direhorses then the ones they raise on the plains."
"Fine." He said and walked away.
Making a face after him, my tail started to flick with my annoyance. "Tsu'tey should have made me clan leader." I told my mate as he stepped next to me.
"You don't want it." He said rubbing my back.
"So?" I frowned up at him.
"Why are you pouting?" He smirked at me.
"I'm just tired."
"After tonight we can sleep for a week."
"No we can't."
"We can try." He said and kissed my neck. Laughing, I turned in his arms, kissing him deeply.
The day passed quickly, Neytiri leaving with Loki to get Jake from the compound, while Tsanten and I took care of his avatar. The sun had set and the glow of the jungle surrounded us. Laying him under Vitraya Ramunong, Mo'at and the rest of our clan sat before her, everyone's queue attached to her, chanting as Neytiri arrived with Jake, laying him next to his avatar, mirroring each other. The chanting intensified as the light pulsed, calling upon Eywa to transfer Jake's life from his crippled body to his avatar, leaving him alive and perfect. It was time. Watching from the sidelines, holding Tsanten's hand as he wrapped his other around my waist. Leaning into him, I smiled as Neytiri anxiously waited for her mate to return to her as a full Na'vi. My eyes filled with tears as Mo'at stopped, looking at Jake's human body. Neytiri moved to him, taking the mask off his face, placing a kiss against each of his eyes before returning to his avatar. Putting her hand on his face, I held my breath, waiting for him to open his eyes. When he did, it felt as if everything fell into place. Watching him embrace his mate. Watching him stand and address The People – our people – for the first time as full Na'vi. He was full Olo'eyctan and nothing could stop us now. We were whole and we were home.
"How do you feel?" I asked him still wiping the tears from my cheeks. Without responding, he pulled me into a tight embrace. "Welcome home."
"We are home." He smiled at me. "And it feels amazing."
"My Jake." Neytiri said sweetly.
Smiling at her, I nodded at my brother, "Go be happy." He kissed my cheek and joined him mate.
Grinning at them, Tsanten stepped in front of me, taking my head in his hands. "Are you ready for our happily ever after?" He smiled.
"Oe ma." I smiled softly. "Nga yawne lu oer."
"Si nga yawne lu oer." He replied.
Leaning against him, I put my hands against his chest, looking up at him. I took in his blue skin, his yellow eyes, the movement of his ears and his tail, the shape of his nose…and all the while I fell as deeply in love as any creature can with another. I was in his arms and I was safe and loved and home. If happiness could be made flesh it would be Tsanten. The look in his eyes and the feeling of his lips against mine. Holding up my queue, he did the same, both of us watching as the tendrils wrapped around each other. Meeting his eyes again, he once again took my head in his hands, kissing me deeply. Wrapping my arms around him, I felt everything I even wanted, showing him the same, knowing that our life together could finally begin. A life far from the one I left behind and so much greater than I could have hoped for.
THE END