Chasing lemurs
He felt lonely yet very satisfied as he stared out at the open sea where two ships were on their way back to the Fire Nation. He gently scratched his pet lemur behind its ear, while smiling. "I would never have thought that we would come this far, Momo." The creature crawled to his head while it crackled out some sounds of devotion. He turned around to take in the yet to become city of his. Standing there, on the newly made harbor, the whole place seemed grand, even though they had only been building for what seemed like a period of two years. The Court House was in motion, taking form by every minute. He could only thank one of his greatest friends for that. Toph Beifong had not only begged him of permission to make it come alive but also found some of the world's greatest earthbenders to help her. Aang was only happy that she would help him and Zuko out, the founders of Republic City. It had started out as a dream, the new Firelord and him building a safe place for people of all kind to live happily together, no matter race or bending. And now, he was standing there, looking at it all with the greatest feeling in the world. More and more people were coming in by each day to build themselves a new home. Although the 100 year war was over, the world was still scarred and small rebellions sometimes took forms in the smaller provinces. Here, no one will be harmed, Aang thought to himself. He smiled at Momo, who had now joined the small pack of lemurs at the Japanese cherry tree at the outskirt of the city. He jumped over to them, feeding them some nuts he had left in his pockets from yesterday.
He had traveled together with a team to the Western Airtemple to see how the rebuilding was going and to provide them with new materials. Once he had fought old Firelord Ozai four years ago, he had promised himself to set a remaking of the Airtemples in motion, to honor his forefathers. While being there, Aang had stumbled across some wild lemurs, and decided to bring some home to Republic City. Once brought here they seemed very happy, which was understandable giving thought that the children of the city fed them with fresh fruit and berries at least twice a day.
The warm breeze cuddled his bare arms and cheeks as he rose in the air to join the lemurs in the tall tree. He chuckled as they flew on top of him as soon as he landed on one of the branches. "You guys, I'm not a tree", he laughed, while waving his arms in the air. The lemurs came to a sudden stop, and suddenly crashed in between the bushes behind him. Which game are they playing now? He thought, smiling to himself while he followed them into the thick forest. "Momo?" He looked up at the treetops to see if they were chasing some animal. "Raku?" The ground was covered by small branches, growing from the firelilly bushes that were in full bloom. Where are they? He thought to himself. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw some movement. Quickly he strove across the knotty forest floor only to be disappointed. No lemurs there… "If you guys are playing hide and seek with me, it's not funny! Come back here, we are supposed to be back at the temple by now!" He nervously frowned while thinking about Siku who probably was dying of worry in this exact moment. Siku was an old friend of his who had taking the responsibility of cleaning around the temple and cooking meals for him. He smiled to himself thinking: I'm seventeen years old, and I still have someone to take care of me… As if I need that…." His thoughts came to an abrupt stop as he saw three lemurs on a big branch just above his head. "Hey guys, what are you doing up there, get down here!" He waited patiently testing their obedience. Oh man, Siku's gonna throw a tantrum when we get home. I wonder why the city bell hasn't ringed out yet. He laughed to himself while scratching his bald head and tripping impatiently with his foot. "Alright guys that's it!" Aang yelled out while he pushed himself up towards the branch. "Come on, I alrea….." He stopped abruptly when he saw her.
Up there on the branch sat a blond-haired girl, curled up with her arms hugging her legs and the lemurs flying around her. They seemed to be playing with her, although Aang wasn't sure whether she'd agreed on that or not. Very surprised, he stumbled out: "Um, hello there?" He sat down on the big branch and tried to get a look of her face, but her long hair hang down covering it. She didn't say anything, ignoring him. "Are you new in the city? I haven't seen you before…" He smiled friendly at her while he studied her. Her long light hair was dirty and knotted and she wore… Nothing it seemed? "Oh", he stumbled out, turning his eyes away, blushing. Well that's embarrassing! He waited till the heat on his cheeks were gone and then said: "I'm Aang. Why are you up here, are you hurt? Did someone do something to you?" He shot a nervous glance on her legs. They were long and muscular but also very feminine at the same time. He could see a long scar twisting its way around one of them, like a pinkish snake crawling up to her stomach. "What's your name?" he asked impatiently. This girl's too much. At least she could answer if she's hurt. Looks like she's been in a fight. Although, the scar seems old. "I'm only here to help you, could you please tell me your name?" He couldn't help but to let out a chuckle as one of the lemurs crawled on her head, pulling her hair and she made a little sound, irritated. "My lemurs seem to like you!" he laughed. He could see she gave him a quick glance and suddenly her face was inches from his. She stared at him with an open mouth, and through her hair he could see a shocked expression, almost electric. "Airbender!" She whispered out, her voice being rough. It sounded like she hadn't used it for quite some time. He felt a long deep chill as she ran two fingers down both his arrow-tattooed arms and shot his eyes closed so he wouldn't get a vision of her naked body. But he could smell her though. She had a thick aroma surrounding her, as if she was a deadly flower; sweet honey but with a tint of dark soil. This girl creeps me out, he thought, who is she? As if she was a mind reader, she spoke out: "Kiri… That's my name." She stared at him with big eyes as she said: "Monk Aang".
What do you guys think about the first chapter? Please, let me know :-)