Pathfinder || OC X Neteyam

4- Start of something new

"You have the basics of the form when you stand there. But you weren't sure you were going to hit the tree so you tensed before you released." She shook her head. "You must stay relaxed."

"Stay relaxed," Aha'ri repeated. "Got it."

Neytiri nodded to the tree, "Again."

They were at it for hours, but Aha'ri lost track of time. She was soaking up all of the rich information Neytiri gave to her.

Just as Aha'ri went to pull back her arrow again, an ikran landed nearby.

Neteyam quickly made his way over to them, like her was in some sort of hurry.

His braids swayed back and forth as he marched over with authority. He noticed Aha'ri staring and gave her a scowl before turning to Neytiri. "Mom, Lo'ak got into some trouble. Dad told me to come get you."

She sighed with a frown. From what Aha'ri heard, Lo'ak got into trouble pretty often. She couldn't imagine how annoying it was for both Neytiri and Jake to try and keep him in line.

"Stay with Aha'ri and finish her lesson. I'll go deal with your brother," she explained, beginning to make her way to her ikran.

Neteyam did a double take back at Aha'ri before stopping his mom in her tracks. "Wait, woah, woah. What do you mean, 'finish her lesson'?"

"Finish helping her with her form. Give her some tips or something," she waved him off.

Aha'ri just stood there awkwardly as they bickered. Her tail already starting to swish behind her now that Neteyam was here.

Neteyam scoffed, "Well, I'm sure Dad can wait until you're done with her for you to help him."

Done with her. The way he bit off the words felt like a punch to Aha'ri's gut.

Neytiri paused, Aha'ri saw the distress in her eyes as she gave Neteyam a looked with raised brows. A mother's stare was all powerful.

At that, Neteyam took a step back and lowered his head. "Fine."

She turned to Aha'ri, "I'm sorry. I have to go and deal with my son."

Aha'ri shook her head, "Oh, no. Mother first. Teacher second."

Neytiri threw her a grateful smile as mounted her ikran. With a few wing flaps, she was gone within a couple seconds, leaving Aha'ri alone with her least favorite person.

They stood there in silence. Neteyam refused to look anywhere in her direction and Aha'ri looked at anything but him.

After a couple of moments, Aha'ri thought she might as well continue her lesson, with or without Neytiri. She just needed to hit the darn tree.

Her form felt perfect but the arrow missed the tree once again.

Neteyam snickered from behind her.

Aha'ri's frustration with herself quickly turned into anger toward him. She whipped around to find him leaning against a tree with his arms crossed over his chest. His warrior cummerbund was proudly displayed around his waist.

As soon as she turned around to scowl at him, Neteyam averted his gaze, peering up at the canopy.

Aha'ri rolled her eyes and scoffed. Arrogant prick. Staying just to watch her fail.

She pulled back another arrow, deeply breathing. At this point her muscles were numb to the pain, but she went on. Surely she would hit the tree this time.

She released the string and the arrow flew through the air. Just when she thought it was going to connect, it just barely scraped the side of the trunk.

Aha'ri grunted in frustration. How was she managing to miss the tree every time.

Neteyam laughed out loud this time. Big mistake.

Aha'ri whirled on him, baring her teeth. "If you're just going to stand there an laugh at me, then you can leave," she growled.

His eyes flicked to her tail trashing behind her. He pushed off of the tree and strode past her, a smug grin on his lips.

Aha'ri's eyes burned into him as he passed.

Neteyam took the bow from his ikran, stood in front of the tree where she was standing and pulled back an arrow.

She tried not to pay attention to the muscles that feathered along his abdomen. Or the veins that popped out of his arms.

When he released the arrow, it found the middle of the tree trunk she had been trying to hit all day.

Aha'ri's blood boiled. Who does he think he is, showing off to her like that? Instead of just helping her?

He turned and walked toward her. As he passed he leaned in, "You're dropping you elbow."

Aha'ri hissed back at him. She wanted to smack that smirk right off his face so badly. But she wasn't stupid. She could kiss her lessons with Neytiri goodbye if she laid a hand on her precious, perfect son.

He threw a smirk over his shoulder as he mounted his ikran and took off into the forest.

"I guess the lesson is over," Aha'ri said under breath.

She glanced over at the arrow he left in the tree trunk. Neteyam's words rang in her head. She let out a sigh.

Just one more try, she told herself. This time she paid close attention to her right elbow, making sure to not let it drop at all.

When she released the arrow, it struck the tree. Granted it was way higher than she aimed for, but she hit the tree.

Aha'ri stood there staring at the arrows sticking out of the tree trunk with furrowed brows.

Neteyam actually helped her? But why even bother?