Flood of Ashes [sequel to 'Not So Perfect']

7

Neteyam's pov:

I never thought I'd return to the forest, from the moment I took my last glimpse of the forest on my journey to Awa'atlu I always assumed that I'd never get back there, that the forest would just become a distant memory overtime, that it would become the reminder of someone who I once was, someone who hadn't fallen in love with the betrothed of the chief's son, someone who didn't end up falling hopelessly in love with the dancing teacher of Awa'atlu, someone who didn't become the father of four amazing children who only knew the Omatikaya way of hunting but not their way of life.
I was supposed to be the next Olo'eyktan after my father, Kiri was supposed to become the Tsahik and we would both have different mates from our own clan but it ever worked out like that. I sometimes still catched myself wondering how different my life would've been if we never had to leave, but I also knew I would never find out. Something told me that I would still be fighting a war with the Sky People if we never left and I was glad that I could protect my children from that war, and I prayed to Eywa that they should never find out what war is.
I was also thrilled to see my grandmother again, even if it was on her deathbed, I hadn't seen her in so long and I actually assumed she would've already passed away, I should've known better. Despite being gone for so long she has never left my mind.
"I wish I could show you the forest," I said as Seyza approached me and kindly smiled at me, "you would love it."
"Maybe one day I can come, but for now it's still too dangerous," Seyza sighed, "you should count yourself lucky that I'm even allowing you to take Zaria with you."
"She's old enough to get her own Ikran, Yalìo too you know," I said and I saw Seyza hesitate for a moment as her eyes landed on Yalìo who was hugging his grandmother tightly.
"And how will you explain it to Eyrae? You know he will feel left out if you don't take him and you can't take him because there's not enough space on your Ikrans," Seyza said and I grunted turning around to my family.
Emra'o had taken it upon himself to claim a spot behind his grandmother as Naeyi would go with Lo'ak, Tuk who never got to get her own Ikran sat behind our father and she was determined to get her own Ikran.
"Don't lie," I said and smirked, "my mother still has a spot infront of her, come on Seyza, allow me to show our children the other side of their culture. They're not just Metkayina."
Seyza hesitated for a moment as she looked over her shoulder to see Eyrae playing in the sand with Zaniyah before turning back to me and sighing in defeat, already telling me that she agreed but I still wanted to hear those words from her mouth.
"Okay, he can go," Seyza said stern, "but you will call me with that throat microphone everyday and I will talk with all of our children everyday."
"Of course, sweetheart," I said and smiled as I walked over to her, placed my hands on her shoulders and leaned in to peck a kiss upon her soft lips, "too bad I can't take you with me to meet my grandmother."
"It would've been an honor," Seyza said softly as she placed her hands upon my biceps, "make sure our children add something from the forest to their songcords, it belongs there."
"I will," I said and softly chuckled, "it's stupid but suddenly I feel like the seventeen year old boy I was when I left, that boy inside of me is filled with joy to return, even if it's only for a little while."
"It was your home, Neteyam," Seyza said as she cupped my face with her left hand, "it was supposed to stay your home but things ended up being differently from what they were supposed to be and now you have children who only know about the forest from the stories they hear from you, now you can show them the other half of who they are."
"I'm very excited to do so," I answered honestly, "I can't wait for them to see the forest."
"I know," Seyza said softly, "and while you're at it, make sure that De'iya meets some Omatikaya boy or something so she can forget about that Ash boy."
"I won't force a boyfriend upon her," I said, "in fact I don't want her to have boyfriends at all. Especially after Maël."
"I know but she will get one and I want that to be either Metkayina or Omatikaya, I don't care but not that non-believer," Seyza said stubbornly, "just.. try it."
"Should there be one that's good enough for our daughter I will try," I said and smirked, "but you know that there will never be a boy good enough for our daughter."
"I know," she said softly, "I know."