Chapter 1: Sweat
As the dark clouds began to appear over the Northern Air Temple, the day's lessons had to be cut short. Rain slowly fell from the sky and splashed on the boys' bald heads.
"But Monk Jangbu, why are we going to stop our lesson? I mean, it's only water, right?" the young boy said, as he placed his hand above his head. The stream of air he controlled effectively stopped the rain from wetting his already moist face, damp with sweat.
"Oh Sonam, I know you love to practice, but tomorrow is a big day for you. We don't want you to catch a cold before the ceremony," Monk Jangbu replied, as he ambled to his living quarters overlooking the Grand Meadow.
Knowing Monk Jangbu was right, Sonam proceeded back to his room, which was located deeper inside the Temple. He took off his shirt and hung it on a hook located on the door. Darkness slowly engulfed the light as the storm began to get heavier. Before the darkness impeded his vision, Sonam knelt down by the pool of water near the sole window in his room and commenced washing himself. The cool water felt good against his sweaty face, for he had been training all day. Taking a cloth towel beside pool, he wiped the mixture of water and sweat from his body. Standing up, he shot his arm at his wet shirt and blew a stream or air at it. Within seconds, the water was blown off the shirt and ready to be worn again, even though that would prove to be unnecessary.
Wearing only his long orange pants, Sonam walked the short distance in the rain to the sky bisons. He quickly found his, a young bison named Mujitsu. Kissing her fluffy head, he wished her a good night. As he returned to his quarters, he noticed a young boy of about 12 named Cimba walking to the sky bison home as well. The two boys exchanged hellos and proceeded to their target areas. Blowing the water off himself, Sonam crawled under his wool blanket and slowly closed his eyes as thunder began to roar outside.
One hour had passed, and Sonam still had not fallen asleep and he couldn't ascertain why. I have never been scared of thunder before, he thought to himself. And I usually am able to sleep through such deafening noises.
Could it be that I'm nervous about the big day tomorrow, he pondered. It's possible, for I know that almost every 16 year old here shares that fear. Why should I not fall victim to it? Tomorrow, the monks will deem us master airbenders and we will be given the sacred tattoos. But it really isn't that big of a deal, is it? The tattoos consist of a special berry native to the Air Temples, so the acquisition shouldn't be painful. I really have no reason to be nervous, but I just am! But, I shouldn't worry. Tomorrow will be just a normal day.