Needless to say training was hard. Pinami, despite being the nicest out of them all was a very strict and hard working teacher. She pointed out mistakes on every fight Shifa and Burak were instructed to do unlike Hiaro who simply should them the move and let them do a whatever they wanted. He was nice but no one really understood why he was even there. Though during their free time he and Akera would share cigarettes and stories. Every time they went to training Burak would grumble about the lazy old man who did nothing and the woman who was never satisfied.
However everyone agreed Reiko was the best teacher and because of this people like Yu were jealous of Takumi, despite the fact that she didn't hate Kasi. Reiko was smart and could easily tell if you didn't practice which she just responded by saying she was observant. She was also pretty mellow as well. Because of this Takumi had the most improvement with Yu and Akera then Burak and Shifa and finally Kai behind him.
After only a week Nasaek had come back to see how the training was going. He smiled as they sat at the table eating. "So tell me how it's going." Yu raised an eyebrow an glanced sideways at Takumi who shrugged. Reiko smiled softy.
"Takumi is actually doing well. I think next week we maybe able to start metal bending." Takumi coughed and looked over and the dark-haired woman in surprise.
"Really?" He asked. Reiko nodded in response and Takumi smiled. Kasi glanced over at Maso, who as usual had a scowl on his face.
"Yu and Akera are doing well too. Though I feel like they need to both work on larger moves and attacks before we can move on to attacks related to ice and such." Yu went red but Akera didn't seem to notice or care was a better word for it. Kasi glanced over at them but said nothing. Nasaek nodded. Pinami glanced at everyone before going first.
"It surprised e at first how well trained they actually were but as every other person in this world they will always need to practice and have room to improve. I think Chi blocking might be a good technique to teach them so we can have some people who know how to deal ith that sort of thing if the others get hurt." Pinami stated. Burak frowned.
"I'm not going to learn chi-blocking...if Shifa wants to I don't care but I refuse." They glanced down the table at him. He sat beside Yu who sighed quietly. Hiaro smiled.
"I don't blame you. That ability has a lot of power. When I was growing up a woman named Ty Lee came to my village she could do the same thing. She was almost guaranteed to win the fight if she could get close to you and that wasn't that hard to do for her." He took a sip of his drink. "I suggest, if you are dead set on not doing it, to work with the bending teachers and watch your friends practice. If you learn the way they fight it may be easier to work together." Nasaek smiled.
"That is a very good idea Hiaro...I will definitely consider that." Nasaek said. Hiaro nodded but said nothing and Nasaek looked down the table at Maso waiting for his response.
"We've had almost nothing accomplished. Kai is rash and doesn't bother trying to learn from me." Kai rolled her eyes at the man and Maso scowled at her. Nasaek sighed.
"Please don't take offense Maso but I told you she would be difficult."
"You also told us Burak would be difficult but we have not had much problems with him." Pinami pointed out. Burak scowled and looked as though he was trying to decide on who to hit. Pinami, Nasaek or both. Maso said nothing. Nasaek sighed.
"Just keep working the way you are. Next week perhaps we can have actual battles." Nasaek stood up and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well I have to go now but I will see you in a few days perhaps...it depends on whether or not the Council gives me anymore instructions though with them being booted out in a few weeks I doubt that's going to happen." He gave them a fake smile before turning and walking away quickly.
Akera sighed and stood up. He stretched. "Now what?" He asked. The teachers shrugged. "Okay well if it is okay with everyone else I think I may go out and ge tickets for a pro-bending match...we're not doing anything tomorrow are we?" Kasi shook her head.
"Tomorrow is your free day do as you please." Akera nodded.
"Anyone else want tickets?" Akera asked looking around the table. Hiaro smiled.
"You know what all of you deserve to do something fun. Akera get tickets for all of your friends and you'll get paid back." Akera gave him a small smile before nodding.
" 'Kay...see you in a bit." Burak frowned as the tall waterbender walked away. Yu raised an eyebrow.
"Is it fun?" She asked. Te other stared at her.
"You've never been?" She shook her head. Takumi smiled.
"My parents took me once when I was a kid, I couldn't see over the others, it was loud and when I got home I almost vomited because of some weird peanuts I got...but overall it was pretty exciting." Takumi told her. Yu gave him a small laugh.
"Well that just sounds amazing." She said a bit sarcastically. Shifa grinned at all of them as Burak and Kai stayed silent.
"When we were on break from he circus my dad would take my friend Danzi and I. It was actually pretty fun. The Fire ferrets were interesting to watch but they haven't been doing so well since Korra and Mako left." Yu took a deep breath and looked over at the younger girl.
"Do you know who's playing tomorrow?" Yu asked. Takumi and Shifa shook their heads.
"No idea." Shifa answered. "Though I'm sure it will be fun." She added glancing back at Burak and Kai.
We'll see Saiga in the next chapter again...