Challenging the Balance

-o-o-o-

Jake was almost too busy grumbling to notice when Neytiri showed up. She had just shot another glare behind her, at a smirking Tsu’tey, when the Na’vi female stepped out in front of her.


Coming to an abrupt halt, Jake sputtered as she tried to regain her composure, not quite sure what to say.


The former marine had barely made eye contact with her when Neytiri’s brow ridge rose in surprise, “Jake?”


“Uh… yeah?” Jake returned lamely, hearing the snort of an amused Olo’eyctan behind her.


A multitude of expressions flew through the Na’vi woman’s face. Puzzlement, amazement, worry and disbelief each trekked across Neytiri’s features before she finally settled in easily with a full out laugh.


“What’s so funny? This…” Jake indicated at his body, “is NOT funny.”


Neytiri smiled at Jake, before arching a brow as she looked past the transformed male at the clan leader behind Jake, “You… did not tell him… Tsu’tey?”


“What?” Jake’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, her gaze snapping between the two, “Tell me what?” Deciding Tsu’tey was a more deserving target, she glared angrily at him, “What did you not tell me, exactly?”


Tsu’tey’s smirk was broad, but he merely shrugged, “I honestly had not thought of it. I was a bit… distracted.”


Jake fought the heat rising to her face, knowing *exactly* to what the other was inferring to, and growled instead, “You… are so dead.”


Cocking his head, Tsu’tey took a step back, arms extended as if to say ‘bring it’, a mischievous glint to his eye. Neytiri stepped between to two, an exasperated sigh escaping her lips, her hands held out in peace.


Despite her outward appearance, Jake was still a male underneath. Which proved obvious with how the two just couldn’t stop provoking each other.


“Be calm. Stop this foolishness.” Neytiri reprimanded, managing to extract guilty expressions from the both of them, “We must see my mother. She will tell us what is truly happening. Tell us what to do.”


“I wish someone would tell *me* what was happening. I sure as hell would like to know.” Jake grumbled to herself, following Neytiri as she began the trek back to Mo’at’s hut.


“I would be glad to explain.” Tsu’tey’s stride fell in step beside Jake’s, his hand placed at the small of her back, “You could even join me in my hut.”


“Not-“ Jake grabbed the wrist of the invasive hand, uncomfortable with the warm feeling that simple touch had invoked, “-from you. I’ll hear from the Tsahik herself, if you don’t mind.”


“As you wish…” Tsu’tey replied nonchalantly, silent for a few moments. Then he spoke up, “May I have my hand back?”


Jake started, releasing the Olo’eyctan’s hand as though it were poison, even stepping away two paces to be safe. She hadn’t even realized…


When her gaze travelled back up from the offending wrist to the male Na’vi’s face, that familiar and irritating smirk that Jake was beginning to hate was plastered on. Her gaze narrowed, conveying what she wished to say without the need of words. It ran along the lines of ‘I hate you… so much…’


Tsu’tey didn’t seem phased. In fact, his grin broadened, almost as though he relished the challenge. Not to mention the fact that irritating the other Na’vi was a plus.


Neytiri glanced back at the two and shook her head. She couldn’t stop the small smile forming at the edge of her lips, though, as she began to wonder at Eywa’s plans for Jake.

-o-o-o-

Those five words struck Jake to her very core, her gut wrenching in worry as she asked, her throat dry, “…What?”


“I cannot change you back, Jakesully.” Mo’at repeated, her shirt of beads clattering as she gestured with her hands, “Eywa has changed you, in light of our circumstances, and it is between you and her as to when you change back.”


Tsu’tey was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed against his chest as his gaze stared mutely outside. He may exude a relative, bored calm, but you only had to look at the flick of his ears at her every word, the swish of his tail at the end of each sentence, to tell that he was paying very much attention to what was being said.


Neytiri, on the other hand, was standing right next to her mother, observing all that was around her, including the other three occupants of the room.


Jake felt as though all the blood drained from her face, afraid to ask, “And what, exactly… are the circumstances?”


The Tsahik went about her business, moving to one of the tables to mix some herbs as she explained, “It is simple, Jakesully. We are at a crossroads. The great battle, while freeing our people, has singlehandedly cut us down. Our home, our resources, and our… women… are scarce. The Sky People have destroyed much.”


“I don’t understand,” Jake said slowly, “what does that have to do with me?”


“Our people are brave. Strong. While our male and female warriors and hunters went out to battle, many of the remaining women went out to attack the Sky People’s base. They were true Omaticayans, true to our clan, but they did not survive.” Sensing Jake’s fear, Mo’at left her mixing to stand before the transformed Na’vi, placing her hands on Jake’s shoulder, “You, Jakesully, must be brave… strong… as well.”


The Tsahik’s emotions seemed to transfer over to Jake, and for the first time in a while, Jake felt her thoughts slow from its rapid vortex of anger and confusion to a calmer pace. But she was still confused. Mo’at had explained nothing.


“I still don’t…” Jake said helplessly.


“In times of great need,” Neytiri stepped in, a hand resting gently on Jake’s shoulder, right beside her mother’s, “Eywa… influences the balance. We are without many women, so sometimes she… changes a few.”


“And they… change back, right? I mean, I sure as hell don’t want to get pregnant, much less spend the rest of my life as a woman. Er, no offense.” Jake added at the end.


Mo’at merely smiled, before answering, “You need not worry about pregnancy, for the change is not how it used to be. The threat to our numbers are low, since there are many clans now. In fact, the horse clan of the plains are arriving tomorrow, extending their assistance in replenishing our numbers and exchanging tribe members. Once the tribe is balanced once more, and Eywa is pleased, you will change back.”


“So wait…” Jake’s face frowned in thought, “so what you’re telling me… is that Eywa is fucking with me?”


Neytiri shot a glare at her for her language, which Jake felt immediately sorry about, but was more taken aback by Mo’at’s response, “Yes, Jakesully, it would seem Eywa is… ‘fucking’ with you.”


Jake was silent for a while, having trouble processing what the Tsahik had just confirmed. Was that even possible? Jake wasn’t a devout religious man herself, but she had always believed in a higher power. And she had always suspected that they sometimes had a very odd, very cruel, sense of humor.


This, apparently, was one of them.

-o-o-o-

“See, it is not so bad, Jake.” Neytiri attempted to say comfortingly, a hand on Jake’s shoulder.


But Sully just sighed dejectedly. She felt so… off. The Omaticayans kept looking at her, mostly in wonder and disbelief, but she just couldn’t help feeling like a… freak. Or something.


“That’s easy for you to say Neytiri,” His voice was dryly, on the verge of being lifeless, “you’ve been a woman your whole life.”


Her brow creased with worry, “…Jake-“


Before anything else could be said, they heard a crash through the tree tops. They were far past the outskirts of the temporary village, Jake having had enough of the staring and pointing. However, the branch they sat on overlooked a small clearing, the umbrella-like folds of the trees making it feel like a small sanctuary.


Jake nearly leapt to his feet when he recognized the Ikran that landed clumsily on the ground, wings flaring before it straightened itself, folding its leathery flaps protectively. It squawked in distress, its sensor pits along its snout flaring as it took quick and deep breaths. The filtered sunlight streamed across the blue and brown mottled skin, its streamlined neck turning this way and that as if searching.


“Jake… isn’t that your Ikran?” Neytiri asked just as those four eyes locked onto the former marine.


“Yeah…” Jake responded wonderingly as the Ikran trilled in greeting, ambling towards her awkwardly on its vestigial legs, “He looks a little… smaller.”


Realization dawned on the other female Na’vi’s eyes. She turned to Jake, surprised as she spoke of her revelation, “The tsaheylu, Jake…”


Jake gave a grim smile. Great. Fantastic.


The Ikran nudged its snout at Jake. If she had been in her old human body, now decaying below the roots of the Tree of Souls, that simple touch would have fractured her ribcage. But in her Na’vi body, she had the same tough carbon-fibers weaving in her hardened bone structure as those encased within the banshee. All the nudge did, was nearly topple her off her perch. Her grab on the large snout turned to a friendly pat, as she muttered, “I feel your pain. Believe me.”


The banshee clacked comfortingly. Then its four eyes blinked as it jerked its snout back, nearly pulling Jake off the tree as its sensor pits flared in alarm.


“What’s the matter girl?” Jake asked.


A split second later, another crash through the tree tops was heard as a second Ikran came into the clearing, Jake’s banshee whipping its head around to shriek its displeasure. Before the second Ikran, a mottled mix of blue with purple, could land, it swerved and tackled Jake’s charging banshee.


Neytiri and Jake had to leap upwards towards a nearby tree in order to avoid being either crushed or flung as the two large beasts crashed against the trunk of their former perch. Worried about her sky mount, Jake watched on, wondering if she should do anything. Why was that other Ikran attacking?


“Strange…” Neytiri frowned. Despite her confusion, the relative calm in her voice helped ease Jake’s fears.


“What?” Jake prompted, tearing her gaze from the fighting creatures to the Na’vi female beside her.


“That… is Tsu’tey’s Ikran.” Her voice was slightly puzzled, not noticing when Jake’s own face twisted with a horrified understanding, “But why… why would they fight?”


Jake slowly returned her gaze to the scene before them. The evenly matched battle had shifted. In the favor of Tsu’tey’s banshee. A shrill note escaped the beak of Jake’s mount as it turned to fly, its wings flaring out, before the other, larger Ikran pounced on its back.


After a brief struggle, the male Ikran mounted the female from behind, its claws digging in the ground as its sinewy muscles strained from its piston-like movements. It was obvious from the display, if not the change of the piercing shrieks to rumbled squawks of pleasure, what was going on.


At the sight of the male Ikran taking the female, Jake felt a spark of heat ignite within her. What would it be like for Tsu’tey…?


But Jake’s thoughts halted as she realized what she was considering. She shook her head, her loose braids whipping around, as though to shake the offending thought from her.


With widened eyes, Neytiri made a small gasp in her throat, turning to Jake.


“Is that… not normal?” Jake’s brow furrowed in worry, noting with relief that she had not seemed to notice Jake’s earlier internal struggle.


“It is rare…” Neytiri said slowly, as if plotting out her words in her head first, “Especially when their respective hunters are not…”


Her mouth thinning to a grim line, Jake replied, “…I see…”


A question brimmed within Neytiri’s large eyes, threatening to overflow them and spill across the new branch they squatted on. But Jake adamantly refused to meet them, turning her eyes forward. When what she caught sight of was rutting beasts, she quickly averted her gaze once more, looking to the side.


That’s when she nearly fell off the branch by sheer will alone.


Tsu’tey had appeared out of nowhere, eyebrow cocked as he watched the display. Slowly, his gaze turned towards the frozen Na’vi female, and that damning smirk blossomed once again.


Jake frowned, transmitting a warning through his narrowed eyes, ‘Don’t get any ideas.’


Simultaneously, out in the clearing, a third creature joined the fray. Much larger than the first two, the Turok beat its mighty crimson wings, the yellow and black strips of its hide rippling as it stretched over taut muscles. Glaring fiercely at the two Ikran, the Toruk gave a bristled roar, snapping between the two with its powerful beak.


Tsu’tey’s Ikran quickly dismounted, scuttling back and away from those sharp jaws. It trilled in its displeasure. Jake’s Ikran gave a surprised look at the Turok, its amber gaze unblinking, its bony sternum trembling in fear. But the Turok merely nudged at her with its snout, urging her to move behind him. She looked into his fierce red eyes, and found something in the gaze. It was somewhat softened and soothing. With a large dose of trust, the Ikran did what was asked of her.


When Jake’s Ikran was safely behind the bigger Turok, the crimson beast turned to the male Ikran and gave a warning hiss, it’s throat rattling in deep tones. Fighting its fear of the deadly hunter of the skies, the male Ikran dipped its head low in submission, but it did not back down.


The Turok stepped forward once more, challenging, its wings flaring outwards. The span of its wing spread was so vast, the tips reached the opposite ends of the clearing. The aggressive flap resulted in a large gust of wind that could easily topple an unwary Na’vi over.


Jake, clinging to the branch, had to give it to the male Ikran. It did not give up. At the challenge, it raised itself to full height, screeching its own cry. The Turok looked surprised, but it quickly hissed a warning. Death was written in their features as they reared back, sensor pits flaring, preparing to strike.


Without realizing it, Jake found herself on the ground, having leaped forward, intent on stopping the death match. Maybe she didn’t like Tsu’tey, but that didn’t mean she wished death on his Ikran.


Before she could take a step forward, she was tackled from the side and pinned to the ground. As the two titans clashed mere yards before her, she felt the warm strength of arms around her, holding her in place.


A voice, hushed, stated in her ear, “You musn’t…”


She shivered, even as she turned to look at Tsu’tey, his eyes so close to her own. After a mere fraction of actually melting into his arms, she tried to shrug him off, the cries of the Turok and Tsu’tey’s Ikran drawing her.


“You *musn’t*.” Tsu’tey repeated, harsher and more unrelenting in his tone, trying to catch Jake’s attention. When Jake looked at him once more, the warrior continued, “They are in a battle state. To interfere would be unwise. They may not recognize either one of us right now.”


Jake’s eyes narrowed. They couldn’t just sit there and do nothing!


Her mouth opened, but before she could say anything, Neytiri’s alarmed cry caught their attention. Simultaneously, Jake and Tsu’tey looked up at her, still perched on the upper branch. But her gaze was focused directly before them.


When Jake turned, she cursed. Beside her, Tsu’tey’s breath caught, amber gaze widening.


The battle between the two sky beasts had only gotten more heated. And without noting the two Na’vi in their path, the Turok and the male Ikran were stumbling towards them, about to crush them like bugs.


Knowing it was too late to move, too late to do anything to save themselves, Jake couldn’t help but grab onto Tsu’tey. It was a strange comfort when she felt Tsu’tey’s arms tightening around her in return.


Just as they were sure Eywa was about to take them, Jake’s female Ikran sprang in front of them, shielding them with her body as she screeched with an unmatched furiosity.


Almost as if they had been struck physically, the male Turok and Ikran froze in place, which was no easy feet since their limbs were tangled among one another. The Turok’s jaw was enclosed over the back of the Ikran’s neck while the Ikran had been busy trying to take a chunk out of the Turok’s wing.


It was almost comical as they stood like living statues, their four respective sets of eyes turning toward the enraged female.


Realizing the threat to her Na’vi hunter and possible mate was over, the female Ikran stepped away from them and towards the two bull-headed sky mounts. Screeching her displeasure, she took step after step forward, pecking at the air with her razor sharp beak, forcing the two males backwards as she went. Eventually they had to hang their heads in apology, before taking off to the skies, or risk entangling themselves in the vines and trees while enduring the brunt of the female Ikran’s wrath.


With a last glance back at the three Na’vi, the female Ikran trilled in farewell before taking off as well.


It took a few moments for Jake to realize she was still holding the male hunter. She quickly released Tsu’tey. Unfortunately, he did not. And she remained glaring at him, while he smirked at her, as Neytiri dropped to the forest floor.


“…What is going on here…?” She asked, her tail whipping behind her in curiosity.


“I was tackled by a moron and am now currently suffering through slow, painful, suffocation.” Jake muttered dryly, a hard shove on a muscled torso finally getting Tsu’tey to release her as she stood, brushing herself off.


“I do not see a problem.” Tsu’tey stated, standing as well, “Though I believe you owe me a thank you.”


“For what?” Jake shot back, ignoring the amused Neytiri, who didn’t seem to mind the two were overlooking her presence at the moment.


“For saving your life.” Tsu’tey replied smugly.


“In case you didn’t catch the last few moments, *my* Ikran saved us.” Jake glared, stepping forward, hoping to crowd the cocky, male Na’vi.


But Tsu’tey merely stepped forward as well, replying without missing a beat, “Actually, if I hadn’t stopped you, she wouldn’t have had time to save you. Not only that, but I put my life at risk as well.”


“I…” Jake felt his jaw flap uselessly. Unfortunately, it seemed the Na’vi hunter had a point. “I…”


At which point, Tsu’tey’s smirk grew even wider.


Before he could inflate himself bigger than he already was, Jake said quickly, “Fine. Thank you.”


Catching her hand, Tsu’tey brushed his lips in a brief kiss across her knuckles before Jake could snatch her hand away. Straightening with a warm smile, his eyes seemed to be saying: ‘see, now that wasn’t so hard’.


Aloud, Tsu’tey replied, “You’re welcome.”


The look the male Na’vi gave her tugged at a strange place within her heart, but Jake chose to resolutely ignore it. The spot Tsu’tey had kissed pulsed with the quickening of Jake’s heart. She shoved the traitorous hand behind her back, glaring at Tsu’tey before turning her angry gaze to the side, “Great. Now I’m gonna have to sanitize that.”


Laughing, Neytiri finally stepped between the two, unbelieving what was unfolding before her very eyes. Could these two actually…?


“Come on, you two. The horse clan should be arriving any minute now.” Each of her hands dropped on one of their shoulders, as she turned them all around, “We should head back to the village to greet them.”


A look of worry flashed through Tsu’tey’s eyes. He turned to Jake, “You should go back to Hell’s Gate. To your Sky People’s base.”


“What? Now?” Jake asked, wondering why the sudden change in the clan leader’s demeanor, “Norm’s busy with repairs. Besides, why would I want to miss out on a perfectly good party?”


“It is not the same. This is… an exchange. A replenishing. A healing…” Tsu’tey seemed at a loss for words, frustration creasing his brow as it was obvious his meaning was not getting across to the confused ex-marine.


A look of understanding dawned on Neytiri’s face, and her hands dropped as she turned to Jake as well, “Yes, Jake. Maybe it is a good idea that you go.”


“What?” Jake asked, trying not to show the hurt in her face. Did they not want her there anymore? Had she worn out her welcome? “Why?”


“This… exchange… it is not only for Omaticaya’s benefit. It is to the benefit of both clans. They provide females, but they may want something in return. Perhaps a few of our own women.” Tsu’tey explained slowly, looking away.


“What, and you guys are saying I’ll be one of them? Just ‘cause I’m a girl now? Sorry, not buying it.” Jake said shortly, stalking a few feet away, her tail whipping in irritation, “Besides, who’s to say I can’t say no? This isn’t exactly slave labor or anything.”


“No,” Neytiri replied, her hands wringing nervously, “but it would dishonor the clan to refuse. They are doing us a great favor. The Omaticayans, in turn, must respect their requests.”


Imagining a strange male Na’vi coming up and proposing on one knee, Jake shuddered. She wasn’t even used to looking down and realizing she had boobs. Having some stranger slathering over her was just… weird. She had enough to deal with, what with *one* male Na’vi. She turned to glare at said Na’vi, only to pause as she caught the uncharacteristically pleading look in his eyes.


She was so caught off guard that she found herself speechless for a moment.


“I…”


“Just one day. That is all I ask.” Tsu’tey said softly, his look determined.


“Just to be safe.” Neytiri chipped in.


Unable to hold his gaze any longer, Jake looked away, relenting, “Fine…”


Sensing her hunter’s need, Jake’s Ikran landed softly beside her. Without hesitation, Jake swung onto her Ikran’s back, settling easily into the foot and handholds before looking at the two worried Na’vi before him, “I still don’t see what the big deal is.”


Neytiri simply smiled, while Tsu’tey looked extremely relieved. Jake didn’t realize until then just how tense the other had been.


“Take care, Jake Sully.” Tsu’tey said in farewell.


When Tsu’tey said her name, Jake couldn’t help the shiver that struck through to the core of her being. She couldn’t explain it. She couldn’t even comprehend why they were so worried. Still not sure what to make of it all, Jake nodded, urging her mount to the sky.


“We’ll see you soon!” Neytiri called after her, waving.


Jake couldn’t bring herself to look back at them. Not yet. She hated the way this female form was being such a bother. She couldn’t strike the anger the twisted her features, and she took a few moments to compose herself. Maybe being a female wouldn’t be such a big deal if it wasn’t obviously affecting Tsu’tey and Jake… couldn’t decide whether this was a bad thing at all. Once the Horse Clan came and left, Jake had a feeling she would change back.


As much as she couldn’t wait for that moment, she couldn’t help wondering…


How would Tsu’tey act? Become surly, distant, and rash once more? That’s what Jake wanted, right? More familiar ground. Stable.


When Jake finally turned to look back down at them, she saw a few strangers entering the clearing on the direhorses, the larger steeds and different body painting a dead give away. The Horse Clan of the Plains were here.


Feeling as though she had just barely gotten out of… some… incident, or whatever, Jake turned to look ahead instead, putting the nagging feeling behind her.


She wondered what Norm was up to.