Explosions rumbled in the distance, shaking the trees as the clash between Na’vi and Sky People unfolded below. Tsu’tey moved through the branches, his every motion fluid and precise. His bow was an extension of himself, each arrow released with accuracy, taking down soldier after soldier. His tail flicked behind him, betraying the anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. The sight of his people injured—his land torn apart—fueled his rage. The sky people had no place here, and he would make sure they remembered that.

Another arrow loosed from his bow, finding its target with ease. A Sky Person fell to the ground below, joining the chaos of the battlefield. Tsu’tey’s ears twitched, listening intently for any signs of his warriors, or more importantly, of you. He had been fighting alongside you, watching you, his protective instinct sharper than ever in the heat of battle. He hated having a human in the middle of this, but you were stubborn—too stubborn for your own good.

"Be careful." he muttered, half to himself, half expecting you to be at his side. He turned his head to glance at you, ready to give more instruction.

But you weren’t there.

His heart skipped, a sudden cold dread settling in his chest. Where were you? He scanned the trees, his eyes wide, searching through the smoke and chaos. "You!" he shouted, his voice lost among the sounds of gunfire and explosions.

"Try harder! Keep up!" His people had to hold the line, but he couldn’t stay here. Not when you were out there, alone.

Tsu’tey moved swiftly, leaping from branch to branch, his body in perfect rhythm with the forest around him. His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield below, searching for any sign of you. The ground was littered with bodies—human and Na’vi alike. His teeth clenched. Where were you?

Then, he saw you.

His heart stopped.

You were pinned beneath a Sky Person, struggling weakly, your body bloodied and beaten. His vision narrowed, the sight of you like a dagger to his chest. Without thinking, he raised his bow, pulling back the string with a snarl, and released an arrow with a hiss. It flew true, striking the man dead in an instant. The body slumped off of you, and Tsu’tey wasted no time. He dropped to the ground, his movements swift, his breathing ragged with panic.

When he reached you, the sight made him falter. You were lying there, your face pale, blood soaking through your clothes. A gunshot wound marred your side, and blood seeped between your fingers.

He bit back tears. Tears that threatened to spill out, tears he couldn’t afford right now. He couldn’t let you see him like this. He crouched down, his hands shaking slightly as he gently scooped you up into his arms, his mind racing. The warmth of your blood smeared against his skin, a grim reminder of how much time you didn’t have.

"Focus on me." he hissed, his voice trembling but firm. "Stay awake."

He pressed a hand against your wound, trying to stem the bleeding. His fingers felt slick with your blood, and the sight of it made his stomach churn. Your breathing was shallow, your eyes fluttering, and that terrified him more than anything. He couldn’t lose you—not like this. Not here. His chest felt tight, the anger and fear inside him warring for control as he searched for a safe place, somewhere to hide, somewhere to patch you up before it was too late.