She crouches down, clutching her foot. It stings. Her face scrunches up in pain as she bleeds. Her throat closes like she’s about to cry. She swallows hard, trying not to let her tears fall. But her eyes are already watering.
She’s unfamiliar with the forest. Completely vulnerable. And she gained nothing from this trip. The Spirit Tree showed her these visions, but she’s missing something. And now she’s hurt and alone. Her feet aren’t suited for the hard forest floor. They’re too used to walking on the sand.
The different noises of the creatures make her ears twitch. She should get back to her hut in the village. She doesn’t have anything to wrap her feet up in, so she will have to do that when she returns. Wincing at the pressure on her foot when she tries to stand, she falls back down. Placing her hands to her eyes, she can’t help but cry.
Just who are her parents? How did she end up with the Metkayina? She has the extra fingers like Jake. That could only mean that she’s related to dreamwalkers. But are both of her parents like that? She never really pushed for answers before. Just accepted the fact that she was different. And now she’s being told to look into this? She can’t just do that.
Rustling of leaves makes her freeze. She removes her hands from her eyes and blinks away her tears. Her vision unblurs as she looks around, the glowing plants illuminating the area. Growling sounds as she meets eyes with a glaring thanator.
It’s like time is moving in slow motion as it pounces at her. She rolls over in time on all fours and quickly springs up to run. The pain in her foot hurts, but she wills herself to ignore it as she pushes through different leaves. A low branch scratches her face, and she winces.
She can hear the thanator right behind her. She doesn’t know how to fight against these. How to fight in the forest. She slides down a hill, rocks sinking into her foot. With a grunt, she takes off again.
Her eyes find something small enough that she can fit into to hide. It looks sturdy, so she should be fine to wait in there until the thanator gives up. Should be.
She’s so close to safety, but she’s running out of stamina. If only she were in water! Her senses feel like they’re on fire, but she doesn’t risk looking behind her. It’s right there…!
Her world goes dim. The moment she squeezes in the small space, she pushes all the way to the back. The only thing she sees is the tiny streams of light peeking in while the thanator struggles to get to her. All she can do is watch it with wide eyes as it reaches into the small cave opening, just a hair away from touching her.
Her heart is pounding so loudly in her chest. She tries to push herself up against the back of the wall as much as possible.
She doesn’t know how long she stands there. Even when the thanator leaves, she doesn’t know. Her second wind ended a long time ago. But she doesn’t know if it’s safe for her to come out yet.
Her ears twitch when she hears footsteps. Her knees grow weak as she slides down the wall. Scratches form on her back from the action, but she hugs her knees to her chest. The footsteps grow closer, but she doesn’t close her eyes no matter how much she wants to.
“Kai’lani?” His voice makes her jump. Her yellow eyes meet his.
“Jake?” Her voice is quiet, almost hesitant. How is he here right now?
“What the hell are you doing here? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” He says, reaching his hand in for her to grab it. She frowns, but takes his hand regardless. He pulls her up and out of the small opening, and she falls into his chest.
“Shit, are you okay?” He asks, holding both of her shoulders. She steadies herself, slightly wincing on her foot.
“I’m fine.” She says out of habit. She keeps her head downcast, not able to look him in the eye. His hand raises her chin up, forcing her to look at him. His brows furrow as his thumb gently strokes her cheek, just under her cut. The dots on his face glow. She wonders if hers are glowing as intensely as his right now.
“Doesn’t look like it.” He says, starting to check for any more injuries.
“I want to go back to the village.” She says, ignoring his comment.
“We gotta patch this up first, sweetheart.” He says. She shakes her head.
“There’s a thanator around here somewhere. We should go back. Where it’s safe.” Taking a step away, she immediately stumbles and winces. Jake’s hand wraps around her bicep, holding her up.
“You’re hurt.” Jake looks at her sternly.
“I’m fine.” She insists, her eyes narrowing. She isn’t sure why she’s being like this with Jake.
“You can’t even walk.” He retorts.
“I can walk just fine.” She tries to take another step, but Jake doesn’t let go of her. Instead, he easily pulls her to him and scoops her into his arms. “Jake!”
He doesn’t respond to her as he carries her. She places her fist against his chest. Not exactly fighting him, but not knowing how to feel. Glancing up at his face, he doesn’t look happy. But he isn’t hesitating on where he’s going. He’s familiar with the forest, even though this isn’t the exact location he’s traveled from.
Maybe that’s why she failed. She knows nothing of how to survive in the forest. Before she knows it, Jake is setting her down on a soft patch of grass by a stream of water. He starts to gather a few things around and crushes it up to make a paste.
“Give me your foot.” He says, looking at her. She frowns.
“No.” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“Goddamnit, stop being so stubborn. Give it here, ‘Lani.” He holds his hand out, expectantly.
“I’m fine.” She says again. No one has ever used that nickname for her.
Running a hand over his face, Jake sighs as he crouches beside her. His hand grips her calf and he pulls her toward him. A noise of surprise escapes her as she falls on her back.
There she is, mouth agape, one of her arms above her head. Her other hand rests on her chest. Both of her thighs rest on top of Jake’s, her lower back slightly raised off the ground. His hand stays on her right calf, his grip strong enough so that she can’t kick away but not so strong to hurt her. She stares at his face in shock, silent.
He has a serious look on his face. He pulls her leg back a bit, so that the front of her thigh is closer to her center, and looks at the bottom of her injured foot. His free hand cups up some water, cleaning the blood and dirt from her foot. Some of the water runs up her leg. His lip twitches downward as he gets a look at the wound.
“I have to pull this rock out, okay? It’s not gonna feel good.” He tells her. Wordlessly, she nods and braces herself. Instinctively, she tries to pull away but he keeps his grip on her.
“I know, babygirl.” He whispers soothing words. Her eyes water as he pulls out the debris, and she bites down on her lower lip to muffle her noises of pain. Her breaths accelerate. She’s never been good with pain, something she’s tried to hide over the years. Not even her siblings know about it. Now she’s sure Jake knows. Why else would he be whispering these things to her?
“I’m done, I’m done.” He murmurs, rubbing her calf gently. “You’re doing so good.” She whimpers at his words, placing an arm over her eyes. She doesn’t want to see Jake look at her in such a vulnerable state.
“This will help with the cut.” He says before she feels something lather on her foot. Probably the paste he made.
“Neytiri taught me this. Comes in handy, especially when the kids get into trouble.” He speaks, like he’s reminiscing about his late mate. She’s silent as he applies the paste. A few moments pass before she takes a deep breath.
“I was looking for something out here. I…” She swallows before continuing. “I saw something at the Spirit Tree. Like a memory. But it was not mine. I heard a voice tell me I need to find out the truth. With my parents, and why I’m here. But I do not know what I’m doing out here. I do not know the forest.” She mumbles the last part, like she’s ashamed to admit it. She moves her arm away from her eyes, finally looking at Jake.
He brings her leg back down, her thigh resting atop both his like her other leg. He leans over her, her legs moving up with him. One of his arms supports himself over her. The other hand has some paste on it as he lightly rubs it over the cut on her cheek.
“I could teach you.” Jake offers, his voice low.
“But I am supposed to be teaching you.” She frowns. His lips twitch up for a moment.
“Then think of this as a thanks for teaching me.” He says, his head tilting. Thinking about it, she ends up nodding.
“Okay.” She agrees quite easily, to her own shock as well as his. Jake smiles.
“Good. Now don’t pull any stupid crap like this again.” He turns stern. She turns her head away and he immediately turns it back to look at him.
“I did not think anyone would look for me.” She says, as if it’s an excuse. He deadpans.
“I was supposed to meet you for a lesson today. What was I supposed to do when you didn’t show up, huh?” He points out. Hm. He has a point.
“I did not think you would look for me. I thought you would just do something else.” She frowns.
“Nah. I’m not that type of person.” He says, removing his hand from her face. “Is there anywhere else you’re hurt?”
“Don’t lie to me, sweetheart.” He cuts her off.
“…My back.” She reluctantly admits. Jake pushes back up, his hands going to her thighs to lift them off his and onto the ground.
“Turn over for me.” He tells her, his hand moving to her hip to help her flip to her other side. Now her back is to him, his legs on either side of her this time as he kneels. His fingers brush against the nape of her neck as he moves her hair out the way. Now her tail rests over his thigh.
“It’s not too bad.” He tells her. She nods as she folds her arms for a headrest. Every place he touches feels like it’s on fire. But it doesn’t hurt. The paste itself gives a soothing feeling to her cuts. But him. She quickly removes those thoughts, labeling it as embarrassment from her situation.
“Okay, I’m done.” Jake says, moving to rinse his hands in the river. She pushes up so she can sit on her bottom. Making sure her hair stays over her shoulders, she watches Jake.
His back is toned, the stripes perfectly accentuating it. He’s strong. She already knew that. But his biceps really show that as he cleans his hands. She wonders everything he had to overcome in his old clan. He stands up and she looks away.
“Ready to go back?” He asks. She keeps her head down as she answers.
“Yes.” She says, preparing to get up. She pauses on her knees when Jake kneels in front of her, his back facing her. Her head tilts as he looks over his shoulder.
“If you think I’m gonna let you walk on that foot, you’re mistaken, sweetheart. Get on.” He tilts his head, gesturing for her to do as he says. She doesn’t move, not particularly wanting him to have to carry her the full way back. “Or I can carry you like before.”
“I’m getting on.” She immediately says, pressing against his back. Her arms wrap around his neck. Before she can fully prepare, his hands hold onto her thighs and he stands. Her grip tightens a little while he makes sure he’s comfortably holding her.
They don’t say anything as they make their way back. The sky is still dark, and a wave of guilt washes over her. She’s interrupting Jake’s sleep time. What if his kids are looking for him? She buries her face into his shoulder.
“How long have you been looking for me?” She quietly asks, talking into his skin.
“Couple of hours.” Jake responds, continuing to trek forward.
“Sorry.” She mumbles. “I didn’t mean to take you away from your family.”
“Neteyam knows he’s in charge when I’m not there. And if something’s wrong they would’ve told me.” He says. She furrows her eyebrows.
“How would they tell you if you are here with me?” She asks.
“I have a communication piece on my neck. Maybe I should get you one if you decide to run off like this again.” He explains. She looks at his neck and confirms his words. So that’s what that was…
“I do not plan to make this a habit, Jake.” She says, turning her head the other way. Well, at least the carrying part.
“Good.” He pats her thigh with his fingers. She closes her eyes for a moment, feeling like she will be fine with Jake.
When she opens them again, Jake is lightly shaking her on his back. She fell asleep? Blinking away the blurriness of sleep, she looks around. They’re back in the village. Everyone else is asleep. It’s just her and Jake.
“Can I trust to drop you off at your place and you won’t try to leave again?” Jake asks, voice quiet.
“I will be fine.” She sighs out. Jake looks over his shoulder, giving her a look. “I’m serious this time.”
Jake breathes out a laugh as he enters her hut. Her mother would scold her for the mess, but she knows where everything is at least. Jake places her on her mat, moving to stand at his full height after.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” Jake says, slightly nodding. He makes his way to the entrance again, but stops at her voice.
“Yeah?” He looks back at her. She twiddles her fingers, looking back at him.
“Thank you.” She says. His lips twitch up.
