So I'm back with an update that is long overdue. Anyway, as usual I don't own anything except for the OC's. Hope you enjoy the chapter, and please tell me your thoughts on it with a review.
*Three days later*
"Would you just stop squirming. I'll get you out of there." Kiora felt lightheaded, her face heating up."Get me...out," Kiora wheezed breathlessly, slowly running out of air. "
"Alright, Juju, let go of her." She strained against the snake's muscles, trying to loosen his grip. "Juju that's enough." She stumbled back as Juju finally released his hold on Kiora.
Kiora slumped forward, feeling the air pour back into her lungs. "Are you just trying to get me killed," she whispered hoarsely.
"Nope, I think you've got that covered all on your own." She smirked at Kiora's furiated expression and sauntered over to the door.
"Where are off to now," Kiora asked, leaning against the wall.
Donning an impish grin, the girl cast a brief glance back at her companion. "Now if told that, it wouldn't be a surprise."
"Well, then can you at least tell me your name?" Kiora watched as the girl spun around, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
"I told you that I don't go waving around that kind of information." Kiora raised her eyebrow, and the girl's eyes glazed over in thought. "We're not exactly friends yet, and you haven't even met Hiro." She started to open the door when Kiora pushed against the door, keeping it closed.
"No, no more friends until I get a name out of you."
"Which name," she whispered softly to herself. She tapped on the door.
"Your name," Kiora said exasperated. The girl looked at her for a moment and smiled tightly.
"You can call me Aiumi." She opened the door and grinned. "Come on."
They walked down the hallway silently, Aiumi creeping along the walls like a shadow. A door creaked open somewhere down the hall. I paused briefly and held my breath, my own heartbeat thudding in my ears as I listened closely. Voices sounded out, echoing down the length of hall. Seeming to notice that I had stopped, Aiumi spun back towards me. Her bright smile faded slowly when she heard the voices. Her face fell, and she looked over at me, seeming to already know my next words.
"I have to go." I heard Varrick's voice chime in suddenly, and I slowly backed away towards them.
Aiumi nodded slowly, the sadness weighing heavily on her as I turned to go. I felt her hand on my arm, and I glanced at her face. "You'll be back, won't you?"
"I'll try," she whispered softly, backing quickly towards the voices.
*Five Days Later*
"Sir, I don't think we're going the right way."
"Nonsense, we're always going the right way," Varrick protested sharply, yanking hard on the wheel.
The entire ship suddenly lurched to right, throwing everyone off balance. Blinking back the tears in her eyes, Kiora swallowed the bile in her throat and backed away from the bucket in front of her.
"Then someone explain to me why we have passed that same rock at least six times." Kiora glared over at Varrick. "We've been going in circles."
"I'll have you know that I levitated that boulder with my," Varrick paused, "mind."
Then, the rock came into view again, and everyone groaned. Varrick grinned.
"See I did it again!"
"Of course you did, sir," muttered Zhu Li, rolling her eyes at his antics.
The ship suddenly lurched again, and Kyra found herself hovering over the bucket again. If only Aiumi were here, then I could get away from the crazies up here. The strange girl had left three days before this, when they had last docked.
"So where are you headed," Aiumi asked, jumping up to sit on the railing. It had been the first time Kiora had seen Aiumi above deck.
"Republic City."
"Why?" Kiora glanced over at her. Aiumi's eyes sparkled with an intense curiosity.
"Well I-I just want to," said Kiora, looking off.
Aiumi leaned back, kicking her feet into the air. "Yeah, but why?"
"Why do want to know?" Kyra looked over at the girl questioningly.
Aiumi smiled brightly. "Just asking, silly!" Suddenly she stopped, her mouth hanging open as she slid off the railing.
"Aiumi," Kiora whispered in question, leaning forward.
Aiumi turn back to her and saluted. "Well, here's my stop!" She placed one foot on the railing. "So you're headed to Republic City, right?"
Kiora narrowed her eyes in suspicion, unsure of what Aiumi was up to. "Yeah, why?"
"Cause I'm going to beat you there!" Aiumi grinned wickedly and leapt up into the air, plummeting down into the waters below her.
Kiora lurched forward, leaning out over the rails as she searched the dark depths for Aiumi. At first, there was nothing. Then, bubbles decorated the water, and Aiumi's head bobbed to the surface. She spun around and smiled winningly as the boat pulled away.
"See you in Republic City, Kiora," she called out, swinging her hands through the air as she waved good-bye.
Kiora waved back and continued waving, until Aiumi had faded off into the distance.
"Hey, hey!"
Kiora blinked her eyes rapidly and noticed a giant hand waving in front of her face. Looking up at Varrick, she raised her eyebrows in question.
"You spaced out on us," Varrick said. "Oh and I need you to waterbend us out of a rock."
Kiora's eyes widened. "A rock? I'm not an earthbender."
"No, but you can levitate us away from the rock using the power of water bending."
Kiora rolled her eyes and stood up slowly, groaning. Here we go again.
*Seven days later*
Storm clouds raged over, lightning dancing in their midst as Kiora stepped off the ramp. She closed her eyes slightly as the sound of crashing waves roared in her ears. The wind swept her braids around, bringing them up near her face. Kiora smiled and began to walk onward.
"Kiora!" Kiora turned around to see Varrick leaning over the edge of the railing. "You forgot your Moose-thingy!"
Faolan snorted indignantly and took to glaring at Varrick. Kiora laughed quietly at the stunned look on his face when he realized that Faolan actually understood him.
"He's a Raynder Horse, and she really doesn't like being called a thingy," she called up to Varrick, cupping her hand around her mouth.
Varrcik looked over at the Raynder Horse. "Yeah, no kidding," he muttered, backing up slowly as Faolan advanced on him. "Zhu Li!"
"Yes sir," the woman said tonelessly, seeming to appear out of nowhere.
"Zhu Li, do the thing," he ordered, pointing over at Faolan.
Zhu Li sighed heavily as she looked over at Faolan's massive form. "Yes sir."
Kiora waved up at Zhu Li, catching the older woman's attention. "It's alright, Zhu Li, I've got this covered."
Taking a deep breath, Kiora began to move her arms around. The water below immediately responded, freezing over and lifting up as the water beneath the ice pushed it up. She moved slower, trying to keep the ice float as stable as possible.
"Ready boy?" The Raynder Horse backed away, whinnying fearfully. "It's alright, Faolan. I've got you."
Faolan seemed to shake before surging forward, vaulting himself into the air. Kiora's heart stopped when she realized that Faolan had jumped out too far. Gritting her teeth, she moved quickly and willing the water to follow her hands. She heard Faolan cry out in fear as she plummeted through the air. Getting the ice float in position, Kiora squeezed her eyes shut. Thump! Forcing her lids to part, Kiora breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her friend on top of the ice. Faolan glared at her and let out a huff.
"What? It's not my fault. You overshot your jump." Kiora head a snort. "Yeah, well I could just drop you."
"Is it safe to look now?" Varrick was standing with his hands covering his eyes.
"Yes sir. She has her pet all safe and sound." Zhu Li looked like she about to roll her eyes at her boss's behavior.
"Wow! You levitated a Moose-thingy!' Turning back to Zhu Li, he said, "You know, I can levitate things too."
"Of course you can sir."
Kiora snickered at the thought of seeing Varrick levitate, his limbs flailing around as he tried to swim through the air.
"See you later, Varrick," Kiora shouted, waving her hand to the man.
"Bye, Kiora. Remember our deal." Then, flashing a winning smile, he turned and disappeared from view.
She grimaced slightly. Someday, I'll have to repay him, whether I like it or not. Shaking her head, she glanced over at Faolan, who nodded to the city that lay ahead of them. Kiora smiled excitedly and leapt onto Faolan's back. Here we come Republic City.