Alright, here's the second chapter and fair warning, there may be some errors in there. This is my first time writing from first person POV, so bare with me please. Suggestions and tips are appreciated. I didn't expect to have this chapter done so soon, but regardless of that I hope you guys enjoy. Reviews are welcome!
[DISCLAIMER]
Chapter 2
I jolt awake covered in cold sweat. I can almost hear my heart jumping out of my chest. I try to slow my breathing and place my head between my knees to stop all the blood from rushing to it. Every night for the past month and a half, ever since I turned 18 it's been the same damn nightmare. I use have similar nightmares when I was younger, but never this intense. Its only ever in fragments, that rotate through a cycle every few days. I can always hear the laughing, menacing and bone chilling. Sometimes I can still hear it ringing in my ears when I wake up. I wanted to ask my Masters what it all meant, it was all too lucid to be nothing more then a simple nightmare. But I couldn't ask them, they would just tell me to stop worrying about such nonsense. Then they would proceed to tell me to go back to my training, just like when I was younger. There was no room in my life for nonsense. Only work. Shaking myself out of my stupor I knew there was no point in trying to go back to sleep. The nightmare always had a way of shaking me up. Even though the sun had yet to breech the horizon, I could tell it was early morning. I could faintly hear the chirping of the birds outside my window. I decide I might as well get some early morning training in before the rest of the school wakes up. I climb out of my bed and begin to dress. I throw on my long black training pants, that are just loose enough to not restrict movement. I then wrap my black slip around my torso and tie the sash around my waste securely. Putting on my slippers and tying back my hair in a tight braid, I quietly slip out of my room and begin to head towards the training room.
The trek from my room to the training room, was a long and tedious walk. My room was placed on the opposite side of the schools complex, next to the Masters quarters. The rest of the students had the luxury of their quarters being connected to the training room. I had always been kept separate from the rest. After today though, that would all change. I would no longer have to make the journey across the complex and I would no longer be separate from everyone else. Today was the day that the Masters and I would choose the four students who would become the schools new elite team; The Dragon Warriors and I was to be their leader. The Masters had each handpicked four master benders from each of the respective elements. They were all to compete in a show of skill in front of us and the entire school. For whatever reason the Masters wouldn't allow me to partake in the initial choosing of the candidates. They had only told me that whichever four that we selected, all of us would be moved into our own completely separate complex. Where we would have our own training facility and housing. I found it all to be exciting as well as nerve racking at the same time. It was the first time that I would be truly interacting with people of my own age. The closets person I had to a friend growing up was Sokka. He was two years older then me and the only other non-bender at the school besides myself. The only reason I was able to be around him was because his father Sifu Hakoda, was the Martial Arts Master at the school. Despite are small age gap, we managed to get along fine. There are times though when we would bicker like brother and sister. He constantly teases me about how seriously I take my training, that would typically land him on his back. Now with the choosing ceremony later in the day, that was all coming to an end. I would no longer be able to train with him or take meals with him. I knew that he wasn't going anywhere, yet I still couldn't help the feeling of loss that overtook me. I was losing the only person that actually understood what it felt like to be alone, who knew how it felt to be an outcast. The entire situation as a whole was rattling to my system. Not only would I have to move in with complete strangers, but I would also have to lead them. Me a non-bender, leading a group of highly skilled benders from all reaches of the world. Yes I was a highly trained warrior, possibly one of the best to date, but was it enough? Everything had been in the making for as long as I could remember, and through the years I tried to prepare myself. I'm not sure if I was prepared though, for any of it.
Finally reaching the training room, I push all my thoughts of today's later events to the back of my mind. I remind myself there will be plenty of time to worry later. Before beginning I take a moment and look around the room. The floors padded so to ensure an easier fall. Large wooden training post lined along the back of the room. I walk back to the far left corner of the room where one of the wooden posts stands. I run my hands over the post looking for a specific notch I had made in the wood years ago. When I find it I lightly brush it with my finger tips, letting the memory of that day wash over me. I can still hear Sifu Hakodas voice echoing in my head.
" No! Less use of legs and more arms. Remember, the point of this form is to reduce the recoil needed to gather energy for the next strike. Firmly plant your feet, tighten your core and STRIKE!" I watched intently as he hit the post with such force I thought it might snap. Turning back to face me, he says "There's no room for mistake, only accuracy. You will continue until I say stop. Now go!"
And I didn't stop, not even when my knuckles were bloodied and broken. I stood there all night and this notch was proof. So many memories in just one post, not even just the room alone. Looking around the room I can practically see the ghosts of my pasts training sessions with Sifu dancing around the room. Always training harder, mediating more, going until there was no room for fault. Only perfection, like I had been taught since day one. Losing myself in the memories I hadn't heard someone enter the room behind me.
"Katara?" I quickly break out of my trance and spin around to find Sokkas wide gray eyes staring at me questioning. " What are you doing down here, and at this hour? Shouldn't you be getting some sleep? Today's a big day after all."
As I cross the floor to come stand in front of him, I say " I couldn't sleep, the nightmare again. Also I thought I would have one more go at this room before I had to say goodbye." I trail off looking off to the side to examine the walls.
" When are you going to tell the Masters about the Nightmare? It's been over a month and a half since they started up again, its stressing you out. You already put yourself through enough as it is. "
I can feel him studying my face , watching for some sort of reaction. Sokka was the only one I had told about my Nightmares, he was the only one who seemed to care enough to listen. A light snort escapes my lips and I turn to face him again. " You don't think I want to tell them? That's all I want to do, but I can't. At least not right now, what with me getting moved into the new complex and the forming of the Dragon Warriors. They'll tell me I have more important things to worry about and then send me to Hama for sleeping herbs."
" How are you feeling about today by the way? " he looks at me timidly.
" I'm feeling confused, scared, excited, anxious." I sit down on the floor and bury my face into my knees before I continue. " Its all so sudden and new for me Sokka. I was trained to be a lethal weapon and warrior, not a leader. I'm scared I'm going to mess up. Remember? Nothing less but perfection." I look up at him and I'm trying to fight back the tears from spilling. Sokka crouches down next to me and takes my chin into his hand. " Katara. Look at me. " I let my eyes meet his. " You're going to do fine, I know the Masters can be hard at times. But you know as well as I do they care about you, and all they want what is best for you. They wouldn't give you this responsibility if they didn't believe you were capable. They know you're going to mess up, you're only human. All the Masters and including me believe in you, you're going to make one hell of a Dragon Warrior." For a moment he pauses, then adds "and promise me once everything settles down, you'll talk to the Masters about your nightmares?"
I sit there for a moment soaking his words in. I look at him and say, " Thank you Sokka, I needed that. And yes I promise." I say solemnly.
"Good" he responds. Then Sokkas trade mark grin crosses his face, spreading from ear to ear and I already know what's coming. " And I know you did, the great Sokka always knows what's best!
All seriousness gone now, I jab him in the arm and stand up. "Great my ass!"
"Ow!" He exclaims, making a face at me.
"Wimp" I tease.
" Please, I was just being nice. Trying to make you feel better, if I wanted I could have you on the ground in five seconds flat!"
I snicker " Sokka, as much as I would love to prove you wrong it's going to have to wait." Grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the exist "We both need to leave and start getting ready for the day, lets go!"
" Of course your majesty! Away we go!"
We make our way down the corridors of the complex, continuing are light banter. Leaving our worries and ghosts behind for the time being.
