Forest Boy

Chapter 12 - Addition

After the birth of Kal'el the first thing we noticed was his eyes. They weren't a yellowish-green colour like mine or Neteyams, they were a light purple.

He had Neteyams black hair, but he had four fingers like me.

When Neteyam noticed his four fingers, he gently stroked Kal'els hand.

Neytiri, Ronal, and Neteyam all helped me give birth. It wasn't very painful, I held Neteyams hand the whole time.

Neteyam held up Kal'el to everyone in the Metkayina clan and they all cheered. Some of the children ran up to Neteyam to see Kal'el and they all squealed in excitement.

Ronal had given birth a few weeks after we found out I was pregnant. She told Tonowari to look after their baby while she helped me give birth to mine.

I've been hoping Kal'el and Ronals baby will grow up to be very good friends.

I've been staying in my cot a lot with Kal'el to take care of him. Neteyam has been bringing me food and stays with me most of the time.

Tuk and Tsireya visit the most. I let Tsireya hold Kal'el whenever she visits and she knows to be careful with him.

I haven't let Tuk hold him yet, she isn't really upset about that but I told her she can hold him when Kal'el's a bit older.

Ao'nung has only visited twice since Kal'el was born. But I think he has a soft spot for him. When he holds him he always smiles at him and pulls stupid faces.

He offers to look after Kal'el and say I can take a break but it's only been two weeks since his birth and he definitely still needs me.

Kiri brings lots of anklets and necklaces for the baby which she's made. I haven't put them on Kal'el yet but since she's made loads I'll look for time to try them on him.

I was given my new loincloth, which was made my Spider and Lo'ak, after I had Kal'el since my stomach went down a bit and it could fit better.

Lo'ak and Jake both came together to see Kal'el and when Lo'ak noticed the four fingers he smiled the most biggest smile ever.

Jake smiled at Lo'ak then reached out for Kal'el to hold him. I gently handed him Kal'el and he held him against his chest.

Lo'ak tapped Jakes shoulder and then Jake looked at me for reassurance. I nodded and he handed Kal'el to Lo'ak.

-

While Neteyam holds Kal'el I lean into Neteyams side and stroke Kal'els cheek. "He is so beautiful." Neteyam says while Kal'el looks up at him.

I look at Neteyam and he turns to me. He cups my face and kisses me, "I want another one."

I jokingly hit his shoulder and turn away from him, "Kal'el was only born two weeks ago! We can think about that next year."

Neteyam gives me a wide grin then goes back to looking at Kal'el. "I'm gonna go out for a bit." I stand up and kiss Kal'el and Neteyam.

He waves bye then I walk out the cot.

I see Tonowari and Ronal taking their baby into the water for the first time and I decide I need to watch this.

They sit in a shallow area of the water and Ronal puts her baby in the water on its back. She lets go but keeps her hands underneath just for safety.

I sit a bit far away from them, but close enough so I can see. The baby starts to slowly roll over so it's face becomes submerged in the water.

It then quickly rolls back onto its back to breathe again.

Ronal turns to face me and gives me a slight smile, I smile back then look away.

I get up and walk towards the forest. As I walk away I walk past Kiri and Spider who are both messing around with each other.

Spider is trying to grab Kiris tail and Kiri is pushing him away. Spider notices me then I turn away and walk into the forest.

"Skxawng human, skxawng." I say to myself while touching all the plants in the forest. The forest here isn't as beautiful as the one back with the Omaticaya clan.

I hear a branch snap behind and I quickly turn and pull out my knife. I see Spider who I can tell has been following me for a while.

"A skxawng, really? Weren't you also a human?" He gives me a smug look and I harden my grip on my knife.

"You gonna keep pointing that at me?" He moves closer while staring at me.

I lower the knife but keep it out. "I was a human, yes. But I don't remember anything from it, so I call myself a Na'vi. You cannot say that though, can you?"