Chapter 10: Healing With Friends

The next day a waterbender named Arra arrived to heal Ikki's side. As Arra swirled the water around Ikki's ribs that sharp sting that nagged her seem seemed to ease. It was such a strange feeling but very relaxing. Arra was a good healer but not as good as Master Katara, obviously. Pema walked in with a tray.

"MOM!" Ikki shrieked pulling up the covers over her chest quickly. Her face winced in pain at the rash movement. Bare skin was more effective for healing with water, clothing got in the way.

"It's nothing I haven't seen. Who do you think changed you into those clothes?" Instantly Ikki's face beamed a crimson red as she buried her face in her hands. Arra smiled slipping the water back into her water skin. She was older than Tenzin as seen by her long white hair.

"How are your ribs?" Arra asked Ikki who was awkwardly putting on her top. As she extended her left arm to slide it into her sleeve she felt like she had been stabbed between the ribs, "OW!" She groaned breathing in deeply.

"Yes, I expected as much. I've just eased the muscles around your broken ribs but I cannot set the bones, only time can. Take it easy, rest; catch up on some reading or meditation." Ikki forced out a fake laugh. Great, Jinora's horrible books or mediation, lucky me, she thought staring at the small pile of unread books.

"Thank you so much Arra. We really do appreciate this. Are you sure won't consider payment?" Pema asked smiling genuinely. Arra shook her head, "The family of Avatar Aang and Sifu Katara will be forever in my debt. Now I must be off." Arra picked up her bag nodded to the mother and daughter and left. Ikki's grandfather had helped so many people she had lost count of the amount of people who thought they needed to repay him and his family.

"Next time, knock Mom." Ikki said to her mother still red with embarrassment. Pema nodded smiling with pursed lips, "Lunchtime."

After lunch Ikki finished the last book in Jinora's cardboard box, "Well that was crap." She said throwing the book at the wall. It bounced off and fell back into the box. Pema opened the door calling in, "Shino and Sai are here to see you." Ikki's face lit up as the waterbender and earthbender entered the room.

Sai had a small box with an orange ribbon wrapped around it, "I was meant to visit yesterday but Mia got sick in school and I had to collect her..." Sai said handing her the box. Ikki's smile got wider as she pulled the ribbon and opened it to see her favourite moon cakes.

"Sai didn't need to me anything." Ikki said stuffing her face with the moon cakes. Shino jumped out from behind Sai, "Well I brought you the greatest gift of them all! ME!" Ikki nearly choked she couldn't contain her laughter. Shino sat on the bed like he did yesterday while Sai slouched against the wall. Even though it was silent Ikki didn't mind. She was in the company of her best friends and she had her favourite moon cakes.

"I told Sai about...everything." Shino mumbled as Ikki rested her legs on his lap. Sai nodded narrowing thick eyebrows as he thought of Nato.

"We've talked Ikki," She looked at Sai knowing that this was a serious conversation, "And we're gonna give pro-bending a break." Sai said that quietly. Ikki's eyes opened wider as they darted from Sai to Shino.

"Why?" Ikki asked, "Is it because of money-"

"No. Sai and I have enough; we just don't want to play because we can't bear having Nato on our team after...after what he's done."

"Shino, it's-"

"Ikki!" Sai said sternly drawing her attention, "Hear us out," He stood up straight with perfect posture, "We can't play with Nato. After what he did to you, we can't forgive him. Shino is the team captain, he knows what he's talking about," Shino nodded studying Ikki's face, "Also we just can't play knowing you risked your life for us. It's not worth it. We care more about your safety than some silly tournament." Ikki bit her lower lip not wanting to cry again but a rebellious tear fell.

"I-I don't know what to say..." She whispered fearing that if she spoke any louder she would break down. It wasn't that she was sad that they weren't going to play anymore; she didn't give a damn about the Armadillo Wolves at the moment. It was the fact that they were willing to give up something they loved for her.

"You don't have to say anything," Sai replied approaching the bed and sitting down on the other side, "Just don't complain." He smiled hugging her. Then Shino hugged her. She looked at both of them wondering how she picked such great friends.

The boys were there nearly two hours before Shino had work and Sai thought he may as well share the boat. So Ikki was alone again. Alone and bored. Rohan came in as the sun began to set. He talked to her about random thing; what Tenten the air bison did today, how Meelo got his head stuck between a railing and what Tenzin had showed him in training.

"Sounds like a busy day. Cool trick." She said smiling as Rohan performed the Marble Trick. Their grandfather made sure that he had passed his party trick onto his son to pass it onto his children.

"Who were those guys that visited you earlier?" Rohan asked slipping the marbles into his pocket.

"Oh, they are...were members of my Pro-Bending team, the Armadillo Wolves." Ikki corrected herself now that the Armadillo Wolves were no more. She could tell by Rohan's face that he wanted to know more so she told the curious Airbender about Shino, Sai and Pro-Bending but not Nato, it was too soon. As the skies darkened with the setting sun, the smell of Pema's sea prune stew filled the halls.

Ikki wanted to eat at the table with her family but was denied by her father who said she wasn't to move. So she slurped her sea prune stew alone in her room. At least she didn't have to eat like a lady.