A Whole New World
(Gift For Squeechy)

Neytiri crouched low in the bushes and watched as the strange dark lion entered the Na’vi’s territory, he was stalking a baby gazelle and was just about to pounce, his muscular legs slowly stiffened as he began to spring off the ground. Neytiri bounded out of her hideout and jumped in front of him, shielding the small animal and baring her teeth at the lion. The startled gazelle stumbled and landed in the grass.
“What was that all about!” the lion said annoyed. Neytiri checked the baby for any injuries and then pushed it along to get it to leave. It stood up, startled, and sprinted off.
“Hey! I was having fun with that!” The lion blocked Neytiri’s path as she tried to leave.
“Fun? We do not kill young ones here! Everything deserves a chance at life,” she scowled at him and began walking back towards her pride, her eyes caught his attention and he ran in front of her.

“What do you mean? You don’t kill things for fun?” he asked.
“No, we only kill what we need to survive. You must leave our land now.” Neytiri said blankly pushing past him.
“Wait a minute! Come back, let me just talk to you!” he pulled her back and she looked at him impatiently.
“I’m Jake, what’s your name?” He asked her. She rolled her eyes and turned back on her way, but he ran up next to her.
“Wait, can you please take me back to your pride,” he looked at her hopefully,
“no,” she said bluntly.
“Please!” he begged, she looked at him,
“we don’t bring strangers back to our pride! Nobody knows where we live and I don’t expect to be the first to show it,” she knew she was acting rude, but she didn’t like the looks of Jake. He went to pull her back but tripped and fell on his face.
“You don’t know anything,” She muttered helping him to his feet.
 

Suddenly a strange lioness appeared, she ran up to Jake and sighed with relief,
“There you are Jake, I’ve been looking for you for hours! Hey, who’s your friend?” she said happily smiling at Neytiri.
“Neera… is that you?” Neytiri opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by a familiar voice; the three turned to see Eywah, Neytiri’s mother emerge from the bushes.
“Oh my god! Eywah!!! It’s been too long! I’ve missed you.” The lioness replied excitedly. The two adults happily hugged for a few moments before turning back to the teens.
“Honey, this is Neera, she was my best friend when we were your age!” Eywah’s eyes lit up happily.
“Do you remember how we used to say we would have kids, I would have a girl named Neytiri and you would have a son named Jake and they would go out?”
“Well this is my son Jake, so I fulfilled my half of our agreement, and you must be Neytiri,” Neera exclaimed looking at her. Neytiri shuddered at the thought of being expected to be mates with the clumsy lion next to her. He clearly didn’t think the same because he was staring at her with his big brown eyes. She shook her head and turned to walk away,
“Where are you going Neytiri?” Eywah asked confused.
“I have training now, and I’m late.” She replied bluntly padding away.

That night, Neytiri gradually opened her eyes. She looked around sleepily and saw that the whole pride was fast asleep. She slowly lifted her legs and snuck away. The night air was still and quiet and the moon was high in the sky throwing rays of light around. The dim glow reflected off the wet leaves which sparkled admiringly in the moonlight and the soft damp grass tickled her paws. She trotted out of the Na’vi territory to the edge of the Pandora area. She looked up at the stars and searched, suddenly she jumped at the sound of snoring, peering around a bush she frowned as she saw Jake and Neera snoozing at the edge of a boulder.
“Get up,” Neytiri whispered nudging Jake but he pushed her away and rolled over. Neytiri’s patience wasn’t that long and she sunk her teeth into his shoulder, not too deep but just enough to pierce the skin and definitely enough to get his attention.
“What!?” Jake cried peering at his injury.
“Shhh!” Neytiri hissed, gesturing him to follow her. She took him back behind the bush and looked at him confused.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
“Ow, you hurt me,” Jake replied licking his shoulder blade.
“Oh get over it, you will live! Now answer my question!” Neytiri whispered, a little too loudly.
“Calm down! Your mother told us she would speak to you about it and let you make the decision to let us stay in your pride or not, since you’re the future queen and she wants to treat you like one.” Jake explained. Neytiri sighed, and frowned before turning on her heels and heading back into the forest. She disappeared out of Jake’s sight.

Light spilled through the trees, disturbing Neytiri from her deep sleep, she slowly fluttered her eyes open, and stretched out her legs. She first stood on her back legs and stretched her forearms further, digging her claws into the dirt, then she walked sleepily over to the river and lapped up some of the crystal blue water. The cool taste drizzling down her throat woke her up enough.
“Morning,” Neytiri spun around to see her happy mother standing before her.
“Morning mother,” she smiled at Eywah,
“Come with me,” Eywah replied, nodding her daughter in the direction of the trees.

Neytiri followed confused, she knew her mother always had a reason but it was a little strange for her. They came out of the bushes to find Jake and his mother chatting happily away. Suddenly Neytiri remembered the night before, her stomach flipped.
“Hey guys,” Jake cheerfully wandered over.
“Now I have a very important announcement to make…” Eywah smiled, Neytiri gulped as Eywah greeted her childhood friend.
“I’ve decided to let you both stay in this pride… as part of the Na’vi,” Eywah finished.
“What! I thought it was my decision mother!” Neytiri argued. She really had nothing against Neera and was happy to let her in, but there was just something about Jake she didn’t trust.
“No daughter, my decision is final. Show them to our pride.” And with that, Eywah walked back into the bushes.

Neytiri sighed, she forced a fake smile and gestured the two to follow her. She led them through a windy path, the branches hung around the top like a long archway and the dirt was soft under their paws. They seemed to walk for a little while until the path came to a stop, and all that stood in front of them was a large bush wall. The two looked around confused for a moment but Neytiri turned to face them.
“What I’m about to show you, you must PROMISE not to tell anyone…” Jake and Neera nodded quickly, eager to get into their new pride. Neytiri hesitated before leaning over and pulling away a branch, she stepped inside and the two followed. They gasped at what lay before them. A beautiful meadow with wild daisies swaying gently in the wind, stretched out before them. At the far end was a huge lake, with a waterfall plummeting into the cool water. It was surrounded by plush water grass and lilies of all colours. A huge rainbow extended out in the sky, it shimmered magically in the bright light. The luscious bushes that surrounded the valley were pushed in tightly together, so nothing of the outside world could be seen and the leaves and grass sparkled in the sun from the due of last night. It was definitely the most beautiful place to live in the whole world. A bright cave sat on a large hill in the far corner of the meadow and Eywah sat up their watching her pride with joy. Lions chatted happily and cubs playfully tackled each other through the grass. Neytiri couldn’t help but grin at the surprised expressions that spread across Jake and Neera’s face and a proud feeling washed through her.

She quickly closed the bushes back up,
“wow, you really live here all the time?” Jake asked in amazement,
“of course,” Neytiri laughed.
“I thought most prides only had a few males, you have got heaps.” Neera said looking around.
“But we aren’t like most prides; we are special… and different. It’s why we don’t often accept people in; I think you two are the first in about eight years.” Suddenly Amku and Kuma came bounding over; they were male lions around the same age as Neytiri and Jake.
“Ha, Neytiri who is this joke.” Kuma said grinning at Jake. Neera frowned at them.
“This is Jake, he is part of the pride now, so be nice!” Neytiri snapped, playfully nudging him.
“Why are we here again?” Amku asked his brother.
“Ummm… queen… Eywah, right! Eywah wants you to bring Jake and Neera to the cave.” Kuma said. He pushed Amku over and sprinted away. Amku got up, shook himself off and chased after him. Neytiri chuckled to herself before leading the two to her cave.

They climbed the steep hill until they reached the top and peered into the cave.
“Mother, you called for us.” Neytiri called out into the echoing darkness. Eywah appeared slowly, she looked elegant and beautiful as her strong legs carried her over to them. Neytiri watched as her mother walked to the edge of the mountain and roared. It was a special kind of roar; she always did it when she wanted to call the pride in for a meeting. Her throat vibrated as the pitch of her sound varied. She raised her front legs high in the air and threw them down harshly onto a hollow log as a loud boom signalled through the meadow. The chatter died down and all attention turned to Eywah. She smiled with an accomplished look on her face.
“Morning Na’vi, as you all know we have had a massive number of cubs born in the pride this year, which is great! The population has sky rocketed and I’m so proud to have the privilege of being your queen through this wonderful era.” Eywah said nobly.
“And I am even prouder to announce that we have two more lions joining our pride thanks to princess Neytiri for finding them.” The pride went crazy shouting and screaming at the mention of Neytiri’s name. She blushed.
“Neera, Neytiri, Jake… please step forward.” Eywah grinned. And as Neytiri came into view for the other lions they went even wilder. Neytiri nodded in recognition to them and then glanced over at her mother to continue.
“Neera and Jake, letting you into the pride may have seemed as easy as anything, but it isn’t.” Eywah went on.
“Neera as you are already a mother and have struggled to find a pride, we only expect you to teach a few classes for younger cubs. But Jake as for you, you are a growing teen and also a male we could use for hunting and providing, we will assign someone who will be your mentor and teach you everything there is to know about our pride, and will help you gain the skills you must acquire to gain the respect in the Na’vi.” Eywah explained.
“I will be Neera’s mentor and I will teach her the requirements and after a long think, I have decided that my own daughter Neytiri is going to teach Jake herself.” Neytiri’s smile faded.
“What!? No fair! I have training of my own,” she cried, but Eywah shook her head.
“Neytiri do not argue Jake’s training will begin immediately. My decision is final.” And with that she strutted away. Neytiri heard chuckles from the crowd and she knew exactly who was laughing at her. The pride all went back to doing their own thing, Neera followed Eywah into the cave and Jake intently followed Neytiri for her next orders.

She ran down the hill only to be greeted by the twins again.
“So you’re stuck with him!” Amku laughed as Jake struggled to keep up. Kuma giggled at his brother’s joke.
“Ha-ha you’re so weak! You don’t belong in this pride like we do.” Kuma cried, they were laughing there heads off.
“Guys it isn’t funny!” Neytiri scowled. She nudged them both to cut it out.
“I bet I could do any challenge you guys could do!” Jake said back.
“They aren’t worth it Jake, lets go.” Neytiri sighed walking away, just as Jake was about to follow he was pulled back by Amku.
“Neytiri’s ours Jake… so back off,” Kuma threatened him.
“Oh I get it now; it’s the girl you like!” Jake grinned. Amku gave him a warning look. “Well mate, I hate to break it to you… but she is already mine.” And with that Jake walked off. He ran to catch up with Neytiri.

“Are you alright?” Neytiri asked when they had reached the bushes at the far end of the field.
“Me? I’m fine… I can kick their buts any day,” Jake laughed. Neytiri grinned at him, for the first time ever; he had actually made her smile. She kind of liked Jake, in a friend sort of way. But there was no way she would admit it.
“Ok, so if you want to work with me there are a few rules you need to obey,” She said, he nodded.
“Shoot.”
“ok well, firstly, you must never bring outsiders to our pride, you cannot go outside the territory without my or my mothers permission, unless of course you’re a hunter then you need to leave the area but you wont be becoming one of those any time soon. Don’t bother the elders too much as they hate annoying teens. There will be a number of lessons I will give you in a day, you must attend all. And last but not least… listen to me at all times.” Neytiri explained, Jake’s mouth dropped open,
“what?” Neytiri asked.
“Well I guess you’re not the carefree kind of lion… oh well.” He joked.
“Are you making fun of my rules?” Neytiri asked.
“No there is just a lot that’s all,” he said. The tension in the air suddenly became awkward.

“Lots or not, you are completing these tasks.” Neytiri walked over to a big boulder covered in green mould, she jumped onto it and sat down, crossing her front paws.
“See that doe out there… go catch it.” She said. He looked at her then the doe then back at her.
“That doe, it’s heaps far away.” Jake said confused.
“Exactly go get it, unless you’re afraid you can’t.” Neytiri exclaimed.
“No way, I can so catch that! You just watch!” Jake said defensively, he jumped to his feet and crouched low in the grass. She could see the muscle tensing in his legs and body. His ears bent slowly down and his big brown eyes, looked so determined at the doe in front of him. He crept closer and closer to the edge of the trees and as he emerged into the open plains his body jerked. He ran with all his might, they does ears pricked up and it looked at him startled before running to the side. Jake tripped on a rock and fell face first into the dust. Neytiri couldn’t help but laugh at him. She trotted over to him, and helped him to his feet.
“You want to last in this pride; you have to do better than that.” She smiled.
“I did better than you would do!” Jake cried Neytiri looked at him with a cocky look on her face. And with that she pelted across the ground after the doe. Her legs over lapping each other because she was going so fast, Jake gasped. He had never seen a female run like she did. She caught the small deer and pounced. Her long front legs reached out and she tackled the doe with great force. Its legs buckled and it fell face first into the dust. Jake caught up and he watched her with confusion as Neytiri whispered to the injured animal.
“Im sorry baby, may you rest in piece.” And with that she sunk her teeth into its neck and the deer went limp.
“Now that’s how you kill a doe, now bring it back to the pride.” Neytiri smiled triumphantly. She knew she was showing off but she couldn’t help but try and impress Jake, she felt that she needed to prove herself in front of him.

They were almost back to the pride and had been chatting non stop for a while until Jake finally asked,
“if you don’t like killing things then why am I dragging a dead deer back to the forest that you killed yourself,” Jake asked,
“we got to eat don’t we?” Neytiri grinned pushing him playfully; he tried to push her back and missed because she ran off ahead of him.
“Hey! You come back here!” he cried sprinting after her. She dodged him and jumped over a dead log in her path, laughing she quickly jumped through the bushes into the meadow. He followed and tackled her, they rolled down the hill and she came out on top, pinning him.
“Ha-ha best you got?” she giggled. They looked into each others eyes for a moment, “Neytiri, we are all waiting for you. Hurry up!” Amku wandered over, frustrated.
“Oh sorry Amku, im coming.” Neytiri replied, she jumped off Jake awkwardly and ran off to where the pride was.
“Remember Jake, she is ours! I see what your doing, trying to get her to love you with all your little flirting! Neytiri is mature and she isn’t going to fall for that crap!” Amku snarled and walked away.

The pride gathered around a big patch of just dirt and no grass, it was piled with about six dead animals waiting to be eaten. The atmosphere was alive with all the talking and laughter.
“Listen up everybody, the feast will begin in a moment, but I just want you all to know just to take only what you need and let the cubs pick first. But of course you are all taught well enough to do that anyway. Let the eating begin!” Eywah smiled at everyone and suddenly all these cubs were running in to get first pick of the food.
“Do you do this every night?” Jake asked watching the cubs happily play fighting over the food.
“No, only ever two weeks, its kind of something my grandmother came up with to keep the pride a happy family.” Neytiri grinned as two cubs stumbled past her and bumped into her. They immediately turned around,
“sorry Neytiri…” they said in unison.
“It’s alright guys, just be careful next time,” she said happily. Lena, the darker cub’s mother walked over,
“Kobee why don’t you ask Neytiri what you were telling me about before?” She nuzzled him softly, Kobee stepped forward,
“excuse me Neytiri, would you be able to train me now before it gets too dark?” He asked her politely. Neytiri looked at Jake hesitantly,
“I’m not hungry anyway, lets go,” Jake grinned and the three snuck off to the far corner of the bushes, they squeezed through and entered a small gap where a bush had died off.
“Ok Kobee, this is Jake, maybe you can teach him a few tricks of your own.” Neytiri said smiling at Kobee.
“Ok! Hi Jake! So here I can teach you how to tackle your prey from behind… and… and, how to run REALLY fast but not make ANY noise. I can be your own personal teacher and Neytiri can be the boss!” He said excitedly crouching on his front legs and wagging his tail in the air.
“Haha slow down there mate, I think I like the sound of the last thing, go show me how to do that,” Jake laughed,
“ok!” Kobee cried springing up and running off out of the bushes. Neytiri and Jake could see him through the gaps and they laughed as he bounded around the field.

Weeks passed and Jake was improving by the minute, his skills were almost as good as Neytiri’s and the two became tight friends. Even though Neytiri pretended she couldn’t stand him at times and Jake was a little more immature than anyone in the pride. Kobee became like a second shadow, following the two around and sharing jokes with them. He was a happy little cub, always smiling and laughing. He took a very big shining to Jake, and called him his big brother. Amku and Kuma kept a close eye on Neytiri always telling Jake to back off and leave her alone. Neytiri didn’t mind, she knew the two boys were only looking out for her since they had been best friends since they were little cubs.

One day as Jake and Kobee were off playing out in the Pandora edge, Neytiri was sunbaking under the hot sun in the corner of the meadow. The meadow was alive with creatures of all sorts and happy lions everywhere. There were no clouds to be seen that day and the long blue sky reflected sapphire rays from the waterfall.
“Hey there baby,” Neytiri jumped in fright when she heard Kuma’s voice from in front of her.
“Uhh hey Kuma?” She said confused with his abnormal greeting.
“So pretty boy Jake is no where to be seen? What a rare moment.” He smiled weirdly at her, walking forward. She stood up and took a step back,
“Kuma what do you want?” she said annoyed.
“What I’ve wanted for years, what I have fought over many times with my brother and won, what is rightfully mine. I want you Neytiri.” He took a step forward and whispered those words into her ear.
“Kuma, we are friends, nothing else.” She said pulling away.
“No Neytiri! I’ve had enough with the friends business, we aren’t friends at all, we are more than that… Neytiri I know you want me.” He cried. Neytiri shook her head and took another step back. All of a sudden Amku walked over.
“Is she giving you any trouble Kuma?” he grinned evilly.
“Is Eywah gone?” Kuma asked.
“I sent her, Neera and mum out to hunt; they won’t be back for hours, just enough time to get what we want!” Amku smiled. The two forced Neytiri passed the bushes and more further then the Pandora territory.
“Here’s good enough for me, so who goes first? I think you can have the honours. Ill keep watch,” Amku said smiling. Kuma nodded and pushed Neytiri onto the ground, he nuzzled her softly while pinning her so she couldn’t move.
“Get off!” she cried, “You will never be my mate!” she struggled under his firm grip but he was too strong. He nuzzled her again and then kissed her fiercely. She felt his warm chest push against hers and her cries for help were drowned out by fear. She finally gave up and shut her eyes tight; not wanting to watch a single moment of what she thought was going to happen to her.

Suddenly Jake emerged through the bushes. He took one look at Kuma nuzzling Neytiri and he snapped, throwing Kuma off her.
“Calm down, we were just about to get to the good part!” Kuma said frustrated. Neytiri jumped up and ran behind Jake, his body shielding her from the other two males. Her eyes were bent back and she was cowering in fright.
“Neytiri will have you banished from the pride if you EVER touch her again, so I think both of you should hurry home right NOW!” Jake cried loudly watching as the two brothers ran off. Neytiri was at a loss of words, she buried her head into Jakes soft dark mane in gratefulness.
“Thank you Jake,” she whispered softly.

Jake led Neytiri back to the meadow and into the gap in the bushes where she had taken him and Kobee the first time.
“This was the only secret place I could find, do you know anymore?” he asked her. She nodded and gestured into the bush that was next to him.
“Push through,” she said.
“Its straight bush! I wont get anywhere doing that.” he said confused.
“Just do it,” She replied. Obediently he pushed on the bush and just as he suspected nothing happened. Neytiri grinned,
“You’re just as hopeless as I thought,” She stepped forward and put her paw onto the bush and then pushed with all her might. The bush shook and suddenly she fell through entering into a little meadow just like the Na’vi’s but way smaller and it was completely empty.

The thick green bushes squeezed in tightly creating a hard wall and they stretched high over the field. Night had fallen and the stars lit it up like dazzling lights. The short grass was plush and thick, like a soft pillow and the lake at the end flashed admiringly with all the sparkling fish. It was more beautiful then the Na’vi meadow ever was. Jake fell in after and looked up in wonder at the meadow.
“Oh my god! Have you got any more secrets that you’re planning on showing me?” He cried, Neytiri smiled and helped him up.
“Thank you again… for before.” Jake shrugged,
“its fine, those two are just idiots, what is their deal with you anyway? Why do they think they own you?” he asked.
“Because when we were young cubs my mother and theirs were best friends, and they decided that they would both be betrothed to me, and it was my choice out of the two who I ended up mates with. Ever since then the two have fought over me and argued and claimed me as their OWN PROPERTY, but they’ve never been violent, they were my best friends for ages, but when you came along things changed, they got angry… they’re so different.” She replied,
“Are you still planning on being mates with one of them?” Jake asked.
“No,” She said looking at him.

“Well it’s almost time for you to choose a mate…” Jake exclaimed.
“Yes, I know… at first I was so worried, I hadn’t found anyone and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to. What about you, you are at the age you need to find a mate as well… got anyone in mind?” She explained.
“I do… she is so funny and amazing and she is so good at hunting, she is so easy to talk to and be friends with and her personality is just as beautiful as she is. But she can’t stand me,” He said looking into Neytiri’s bright green eyes.

Fireflies danced around their heads and Neytiri looked away from his gaze. She padded over to the lake and put her two front paws in. The cool water felt nice after the hot day had struck them and she walked in fully so only her head and back were out of the water.
“Come in…” She said to Jake and he hopped in next to her.
“So this girl… does she have a mate?” Neytiri asked Jake shook his head.
“Is she from another pride?” He shook his head again. He moved closer to her and touched her paw with his from under the water; they looked into each others eyes for a few moments before he leaned in and kissed her. It was a firm but tender kiss that lasted few moments before slowly they pulled away.
“I thought you’d never do that,” she grinned nuzzling him softly, they slowly got out of the lake and Jake lay down in the nice cool grass. Neytiri lay on top of him, putting her arms around his neck and their bodies pressed against each other. The two fell asleep slowly, in each others arms.

The next morning, as the birds sung happily in the trees, Neytiri fluttered her eyes open and grinned as she saw Jake snoozing away with his paws around her waist.
“Wake up sleepy head,” she said cheerfully, nudging him softly and licking him good morning. He opened his eyes and looked at her in surprise.
“I thought it was just a really good dream,” he said nuzzling her back. They got up after a while of chatting and headed back to the Na’vi pride. They walked straight up to the cave and Neytiri began to enter,
“just wait here,” she grinned and disappeared into the cave. A few moments later she reappeared with her mother and Eywah smiled at Jake happily.
“What did you do?” Jake asked,
“You’ll see.” She smiled and leaned on his shoulder. Eywah walked up to the edge of the hill and did the same thing she does every time she wants to make an announcement. The pride gathered around and Eywah began.
“I’m so happy to announce that my beautiful daughter and my best friend’s handsome son Jake have finally decided that they want to be mates. Females and males, it gives me great honour to introduce the future king and queen of the Na’vi pride.”