Hey guys, just a quick intro for context here. This is only the first chapter of a potentially endless story I've got sorted out in my head. If you like what you read below, please let me know! I'll start work on Chapter 2 very soon, but I'd like to know what you think of this first. AVATAR changed my life, and I figured I'd take the characters and world I love so dearly on new an exciting adventures.
Cheers!

- Liam

END INTRO/ CHAPTER BEGINS

The night was growing old.

On Pandora, however, truly dark nights were uncommon. Jake Sully had learned this fact. In a clear sky, the massive disk outline of gas giant Polyphemus, and its numerous other moons prevented this. Their combined reflection of celestial light created a limbo state of semi-dusk, lasting until Alpha Centauri A's blossoming form would begin to rise in the sky come morning. Visibility was still very slight, although when compared to the dark of Earth's sky during the night-hours, Pandora seemed to keep one eye half-open, so to speak.

Jake adjusted himself against the large frame of the opening he was leaning on, looking out over his extraordinary horizon. He still hadn't realized the normalcy of his new world's scenery, and he doubted he ever would. In his view - back-dropped by the illuminating planet and moons – were miles of lush forest and wide valleys, bordered by distant mountains and steep cliffs, and skewed by the winding traces of rivers and streams. What added to such an impossibly remarkable landscape was this planet's illustrious, organically occurring bioluminescent glow. All biological things that existed on the fantastical moon possessed this quality. Numerous shades of blue, purple, orange and green pulsed, swayed and dashed in tune with the movements and will of the forest. The colour volume and diversity on the planet was astounding, but never was this more evident than at night – when the light of Pandora's spirit came out to play.

Jake himself possessed this light; owed only to the anatomy and workings of the 11' tall, cyan/blue-shaded vessel he now called his body. As his mind combed over this idea, his eyes fell to his arm, where the blue-white glow of his miniscule bioluminescent spots – unique to every Na'vi individual - raced sporadically in both directions on his skin from his hand to his shoulder. This body was home now and, in stark contrast to his continued amazement of Pandora's ecology, Jake's conscience was at ease with this fact. His heart felt full in Na'vi skin, connected irrevocably to the world, as surely as the tree he currently sheltered in was rooted into it's surface.
He breathed deeply and raised his eyes once more to the stunning view of Pandoran nightlife.

The air was still and aside from the creaking of the tree's structure in the influence of the wind, and the ever-present echo of humming, chirping, squawking and rustling of the forest under darkness, Jake figured all was quiet.

Yet, despite his surroundings and the knowledge of his life-altering catharsis, he was troubled. The sun had been down for many hours and he had slept very little. His body, which felt more aware of itself since it had become a permanent residence, was stiff and fatigued. He longed for rest but his mind was hard at work, as it always was.

He stood straighter and stretched slightly, flexing his long legs as well as his toes, feeling the rough texture of the wood and moss beneath his feet. He looked down over the ledge and through hefty yet sparse branches to the ground, many meters below. This massive specimen was not as big nor as broad as their Kelutral (Hometree) had been, but it had been enough for the Omatikaya to call a home, at least for now. It was a decision Jake had only agreed to, leaving the finding and preference of a new settlement to the rest of the clan. Being their leader was a concept he found daunting from the moment he learned of the Na'vi race. Now, somehow, he was Olo'eyktan (clan leader), and every moment he was realizing how out of his league the role was.

After a few moments, his sensitive feline-like ears heard a soft stirring somewhere behind him, followed by a slight disturbance of the air hitting the bottom of his prehensile tail.

Jake turned around, pushing off the side of tree's aperture and immediately met the delicate gaze of two large, incredible golden-amber eyes.

"The time is very late, ma Jake," the young Na'vi woman purred, sleep still clinging to her gentle voice. She raised a four-digit hand to his arm. "What keeps you from your sleep?"

Jake looked into Neytiri's face, which was now exposed to the strange glow from beyond their sanctuary.

She was very beautiful. Her high and ample cheekbones carried her large, round almond shaped eyes, which were bordered by exquisite, dark and flush eyelashes. She possessed a low, wide and long feline-esque nose (all Na'vi shared the feline-like traits), leading to full lips above a slight chin and jaw. Her skin was a light cyan, like Jake's. However, in similar fashion to most aesthetics, the pigment-pattern of darker to lighter blue/cyan varied based on every individual. The unique pigment distribution often meant a blending of darker blue, tiger-like strips patterning along their entire body. Neytiri's bioluminescent and skin-colour arrangement only further emphasized her elegance. Her ears were like his, high-set on the skull and very much like a cat's. She however, had small spacing rings set within each of their lobes, which suited her nicely. They twitched slightly, moving instinctually to the ambient sounds of her homeland. Her entire visage was framed by long, braided black hair, which was decorated with colourful feathers and beads.

She stood before him, blinking lazily as her bio-speckled face and skin glowed dully in unison with her state of mind. The light reflected along her blue-striped skin alluringly.

Jake smiled slightly, bringing his five-digit hand to her forearm in a gesture of mutual affection, and then raised his palm to her soft cheek. Neytiri closed her eyes to his touch, placing her hand over his gently. Jake chose his words carefully.

"Nothing of concern," Jake replied solidly in a near whisper. "Just dreams, that's all."

Neytiri opened her eyes slowly and looked into his. Jake didn't move a muscle, didn't reveal a single thing within his expression, yet he knew his mate wasn't satisfied.

She inhaled deeply, took his hand in hers and lowered them together between them.

"Mother used to tell me when I was young, - 'a mind that refuses sleep is a mind in suffering'." She mused quietly, keeping her eyes on Jake's. She raised her eyebrows slightly, blinking once more. "She said, 'and a suffering mind cannot connect with Eywa, or its heart the ways it needs,' ".

There was a moment of silence, as their eyes played into one another's, and the distant call of a Palulukan could be heard somewhere far beyond them.

Jake moved first, taking one of her hands and began pulling her in lightly. She took a small step forward, as he planted an affectionate kiss on her forehead. He then turned again towards the breach in the treewall, taking a couple paces from where he stood.

He could feel Neytiri's eyes on him still. He looked up into the horizon to find the fringe of Pandora's sun sneaking upwards behind the mountains. "Your Mother is very wise. But I don't think my kind of suffering applies here… even to Eywa."

There was a pause, then he heard her light footsteps approach behind him and felt her mild touch on his shoulder.

"You have txe'lan te txep, Jake." Neytiri breathed from behind his ear. "Heart of fire. It burns for something, always. Eywa knows this, as clearly as I know it." She stepped around from behind, putting herself between the frame of the opening and him, her hand still placed meaningfully on his shoulder.

"I am here for all that you need, and all that you do not." The woman said, looking him in the eyes more passionately now. "Tsaheylu (the bond) means we are bonded as one, for life through Eywa. You are not alone Jake. Not anymore."

He watched Neytiri in front of him. Her gracious, slender silhouette accentuated from behind her in the light of the rising sun, her golden eyes managing to sparkle just as brightly. Her touch was warm and affirming, and the former Marine and new leader of the Na'vi Omatikaya clan was grateful for his companion and lover. He placed a hand on her outstretched arm, and nodded.

"Oel ngati kameie (I see you) Neytiri," Jake said smoothly in Na'vi. "nga yawne lu oer. (I love you)"

Neytiri smiled and pulled him close, pressing the bridge of her nose and forehead to his.

"Tìiavay Krra (forever), ma Jake."