Chapter Text
You never saw yourself settling down like everyone else.
Not for any particular reason either, while the idea of having kids wasn't bad, it seemed no male navi caught your attention. They weren't incompetent either, a lot of them were either good hunters or fighters, some even good healers, but none of them piqued your interest.
Of course your parents weren't happy about your love life, or lack there of. Like most parents they wanted to see you settle down and have kids so they could spoil their grandchildren. Yet every time a male courted you, which in itself was rare, you turned them down, never wanting to lead them on since you didn't share their feelings.
Your love life also reflected itself in your living arrangement as you unintentionally ended up on the outer ends of the floating mountains everyone lived in. Your home, which was clearly made for a family, didn't matter as you decorated it with a bunch of trinkets you had gotten over the years, including some in which you got from the Wind Traders.
Sure it got lonely, going to communal gatherings or celebrations and seeing everyone together before heading back to your pod by yourself wasn't exactly the nicest feeling, but at least you didn't have anybody to argue with either.
That's got to be a good thing, right?
Not many things scared you in life, not even death. You knew that Eywa would greet you with open arms once you passed. The RDA didn't frighten you either, you have handled them many times and even their metal weapons do not make you flinch anymore.
Jake wanting to meet you did scare you.
You and him never got along.
While he was Olo’eyktan and you greeted him respectfully you never fully forgave him for getting your home destroyed and causing your people to live in the floating mountains. You and Netiryi got along despite this, you both have known each other since childhood and especially after the death of her sister, you both got closer.
Jake had requested to meet you at the sky people's lab which made you even more nervous. You did help the scientists on occasion, mainly because you loved showing off the skills you had perfected over the years as a navi warrior.
Is Jake upset at you because of it? They are his friends afterall, maybe he's upset that you treat those sky people better then you treat him? Surely he won't banish you from your home. Right?
You land in the small opening of the floating mountain and dismount your Ikran. You disconnect before giving her small pats down the side of her neck.
“Oh Sa'tari..get ready in case we might need to fly away quickly.”
The Ikran let out a chirp before gently butting its head at your arm. You have her one last pat before walking towards the lab, an uneasy feeling in your stomach.
The sight that greeted you made you stop in your tracks.
Jake stood next to Norm, a sky person scientist who you actually liked, he was fun to talk with when it came to Navi culture. That's not what stopped you. It is what Jake was holding, or more like who Jake was holding.
In the Olo’eyktan's hands was a baby, but not a navi one, it was a human baby. It had light blonde hair and pale skin, it also seemed peacefully asleep in Jake's arms.
“Do not tell me that you and Netiryi somehow produced a human baby?”
Jake didn't seem to find your attempt at humor funny at all.
“His name is Spider, he was left here when his mother returned to Earth on the last cryo ship.”
Your tail lashed a little, you knew how heartless the sky people were but to abandon a baby? That was unforgivable.
“Poor 'eveng.” You stepped towards Jake and held out a finger to Spider, who was no awake and didn't hesitate to grab onto your large finger.
You couldn't help the small smile that took over your face, despite belonging to a sky person, he was cute.
“I need you to take care of him.”
You froze. “...”
You could feel Jake and Norm’s eyes burning into the side of your face.
“What?”
When you lifted your head you could finally see what terrible shape Jake was in. He had dark eye bags that matched his half lidded eyes. It seems that life has been harsh, which you understand. Jake had a lot on his shoulders, with the combination of the RDA, his own children, and the clan to worry about, it's bound to cause him distress.
“Spider cannot take a cryo ship back as he is too young, but he cannot stay here as everyone else already has their hands full trying to help fight against the RDA. You are a skilled warrior and a compassionate navi..”
You watch Jake let out a large sigh before locking eyes with you.
“You are the only one I trust to watch over Spider and to help him learn some of the navi ways.”
You stood there, mouth slightly agape.
Did Jake really just compliment you? And tell you that he actually trusts you? More than any other navi?
Before you could answer, the baby in Jake's arms began to cry. You watched as Jake tried to bounce him but it seemed as exhaustion had finally caught up to the Olo’eyktan.
“Give him to me.” You reached towards the baby, which Jake handed over immediately.
“Shhh my sweet 'itan there is no need to cry.” You began to rock side to side while whispering small words in navi to the child who did stop crying. Spider was now staring at you and even began reaching his arms up, making grabbing notions.
“My, such a greedy boy.” Your heart melted at the sight of this defenseless child who did not hesitate to cuddle up to you.
You sat there for a few minutes as baby Spider began to settle before looking back up at Jake. Who looked as if he was about to pass out any moment.
“I will take care of him, but I do not wish to become a mother full time. I want to continue my hunting and warrior duties on occasion.”
Jake nodded.
You and Jake took the time to talk to Norm and began forming a schedule for your time with Spider. While he was still a baby you would spend any free time you had at the lab, not only connecting with the young boy but also teaching him the Navi language. As he would get older you would begin introducing him to the world of Pandora and teach him to his best ability to become a Navi.
At first, it was hard for you, after all having to take a breath through a mask every couple of minutes while also watching a human baby proved challenging. Spider turned out to be a very curious child and wanted to know everything about you and Pandora in which you promised to show him once he was older.
You kept that promise.
When Spider could walk comfortably on the lab floor you began taking him on walks outside the lab, teaching him to look out for branches and sharp stones. You also began the navi language sessions more seriously and on some days only spoke to the child in said language.
Spider struggled a lot, his small body not built for the harshness of Pandora, but you did not give up on him. Every day Spider got better and better, his feet accustomed to the harsh ground, and even his navi had gotten better where he could speak and understand it amazingly.
Spider wasn't very welcomed in the clan, which didn't surprise you, but you didn't care. You grew to love the young boy with your whole heart, it was nice coming home to someone who greeted you. Spider would always tell you about his day and you always listened. It seemed as if he had become best friends with the Sully children, as Neteyam and Lo'ak often rough housed with Spider while Kiri taught him about the local fauna and animals when you didn't have time. Spider also learned to braid thanks to Tuk, he had shown off his skills on the young child and even you were impressed.
True to the promise, you didn't stop hunting or fighting back against the RDA and there were some days you came back bloodied and dirty but you never showed Spider. You went straight to the Tsahik to get treated, leaving Spider in the scientist's care under a lie.
“It is good for you to never forget where you came from, even if you don't like it.”
You felt bad for lying but you were not going to allow Spider to see you in such a state.
“Good girl Sa'tari.” You were taking some time to clean your Ikran after the last RDA battle. Sa'tari was covered in dirt and even some blood, not hers of course, and it provided a perfect opportunity to spend time with your bonded.
That's when you heard it.
Footsteps were coming at you and they were fast. Your ears perked up and Sa'tari immediately got in front of you and began snarling.
You were surprised to see Jake bursting through the forest and immediately put your hands on the Ikran
“Mawey Sa'tari. Mawey.” You began calming the startled creature before looking at Jake.
“Oel ngati kameie olo’eyktan.” You gestured.
“Oel ngati kameie.” Jake quickly gestured back. “You must return to camp immediately.”
An uneasy feeling began stirring in your stomach and your brows furrowed.
“What happened? Is Spider okay?”
You had left Spider with the Sully's as you went to fight against the RDA.
Jake's face made your heart begin to pound against your chest.
“Jake.” You stared directly into his eyes. “Is Spider okay?’
The man hesitated before meeting your eyes.
“He was taken. He was taken by the RDA.”