Author's Note: I just realized I didn't really describe how spotted wolves look like, so they are simply abnormally large wolves with spots similar to a leopard's.
To AvAtArRoXmYsOX- Thanks for the review. I glad someone likes my story.
Book One: Earth Chapter Three: An Explanation
(Kyoshi's POV)
My father was very proud of me when he found out I had managed to hold off the unagi, but my mother was still worried sick about it. She had set up an arrangement with Hyun, hoping it would keep me out of trouble. That's how I got stuck helping Shinju, Hyun's granddaughter, gather herbs. Not that I don't like Shinju. She's smart, nice, and pretty. Also she never gets in any trouble. It's not my fault I get into trouble…well maybe it is but that's not the point. I-
"Kyoshi, could you help me with this", she said interrupting my thoughts. Shinju had silky brown hair and soft pale skin. Her eyes were emerald green, but she was shorter than me.
"Of course", I faked a smile. I reached up and got the something or another flower blossom. "Here", I handed it to her.
"That's it then", she replied. We started back to the village.
"So", Shinju broke the silence after a few minutes," If it's not rude…What's it like to bend?"
"That's not rude", I laughed," I like the earth is an extension of you."
"Was that the first time you did that move?"
"What move?"
"The one you used on the unagi"
Was this twenty questions are something," Yeah, Why?"
"It just seemed like it would be hard."
"I'm not sure", we walked the rest of the way in silence. When we got to Hyun's house she herded us in. Hyun's house was one of the biggest in the village. It had five rooms, a kitchen/ living room area, Hyun's bedroom. The bedroom Shinju shared with her sisters, Shinju's parent's bedroom, and a room for patients. There was also a garden by the house with many herbs, but some could only grow in the woods.
"Thank you", Hyun said as she took the basket of herbs from us, "I made some cakes. Why don't you two have some?" Hyun had white hair and the same eyes as Shinju but her skin was tanned and wrinkled by age.
"Thanks Grann", Shinju said taking a seat at the table. I followed suit. Hyun give us each a small cake, which we both ate quickly.
"It's delicious", I complemented honestly. After the cakes were gone, Hyun and Shinju talked about herbs and stuff. I really didn't pay attention.
"Kyoshi", Hyun said loud enough to get my attention, "Why don't you come back to the land of the living."
"What….I'm sorry", I apologized, Shinju giggled.
"Shinju, go play with Emi. I want to talk to Kyoshi."
She gave me an encouraging look as she left. Thanks, you're a lot of help. "Talk about what?" I asked boldly.
"You", she plainly stated, "You want to go to the Ba Sing Se to master earthbending."
Tell me something I don't know, I thought coldly. "But my mother will not let me because of the group of bandits that showed up after Avatar Seung died."
"So you do pay attention", she laughed
"Sometimes"
Her tone became serious, "There is another reason and I believe you have the right to know."
"What is it?"
"It all started when your parents, Lin and Imaran, got married. They were so happy. After about a year your mother became pregnant, but there was a problem. The baby was born early and died after two days. Your parents were heartbroken, but two years later you were born, happy and healthy. The first time your mother held you she promised herself she'd never let anything bad happen to you."
I was understandably in shock,"…So that's why she's so protective over me. She doesn't want to lose another child.
"Yes that's why", she replied.
We didn't talk for a few minutes. Finally I just got up, said a quick goodbye, and left.
