It was late afternoon now and after a very very long conversation with Su and Baatar, I explained Akari to them and her annoying habit of showing up whenever she wanted. And I told Akari to avoid the central shopping district- or all people in fact- so not to cause any more panic and disarray.
During our conversation I could tell Baatar Sr was impressed but the fact I could communicate with spirits. Kuvira was as I expected-weary of Akari having free reign over the Beifong estate but she couldn't do anything about it.
Akari in the other have was having a blast of a time. She particularly like Huan and was currently very small and was curled up on his shoulder watching him paint. Well that was when I last saw her...
After Akari had calmed down she gave everyone a sniff, she in particular did not like Awei and she swatted him with one of her tails. I on the other hand was biting my cheek to stop myself from laughter out loud. Wai and Wing weren't so subtle as they both laughed. Awei scowled at her and walked off somewhere. I shrugged and picked up my Kunai and put it back into my sleeve.
Great. More questions. Kage mumble sarcastically. I could imagine how eye rolling as he said that.
As i just said. It was a long conversation. However, I could still walk around with my weapons up my sleeves. Much to Su's disapproval. But given recent events she allowed it.
To me it was utter shit that it had to be considered. There are fucking benders who are more lethal that having a knife up your sleeve.
I don't doubt that in Republic City that if I walked around with a sword strapped to my back I would be arrested. I can see why the Non-benders would feel unfair as the benders are weapons themselves, while they on the other hand they are defenceless...
Whilst I was musing on the last couple of hours I could hear Opals footsteps approach me as I sat on the bench that over looked the beautiful view of the mountains and rivers that I walked past when I arrived.
"You alright? Yira. Is your side hurting?" She asks sitting next to me. Putting something down next to her. Going by the vibrations it was a couple of books.
"Huhh.. n-no... I'm fine." I mumbled breaking me out of deep thought.
"I was asking because your face looks to be in pain and your holding your side." She frowns at me as she said that. I quickly mould my features into a more relaxed expression and moved my hand. I hadn't realised I was even holding my side. It was sore earlier after my jump over that table but fortunately it didn't reopen the wound.
"It's nothing. Just thinking." In muttered to her.
"Oh. About what?" She probes, leaning in a bit.
"My friends. And how troublesome my journey on the way back on my bike is going to be later- "
"Wait. You can't leave." She interrupted grasping my arm tightly in panic. "Y-Your still healing and-and- My, that is a lot of weapons on your arm." Her attention faults momentarily.
I sighed as I pulled my arm from her grasp. "I don't want to impose. On you and your family any more than I have already."
"But you're not. You can stay. She can stay right." The last part she directed over my shoulder.
"Of course. She can stay however long she likes." My hand twitches slightly as Su spoke up from behind me. Which didn't go unnoticed. I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"Sorry. I have to admit, not many people can sneak up on me like that." I could see a slight smile play on her features as she walks off in the direction of the meteor garden.
Opal looks to me hopefully. "It's not the fact that I'm healing that is worrying you." She looks down uncomfortably from my stare. She shook her head.
"How about this? I'll stay until I'm 100% better and I could teach you a few defence techniques- with your mother's permission of course- and you go see a therapist. You need to talk to someone on what happened. And eventually the nightmares will go away and the paranoia too." She looked thoughtful. After a few minutes she nodded reluctantly and got up and went in the direction of her mother.
The downside of saving her, is her reliance and sense of security on me...
Talking with a therapist would let her come to terms with what happened and eventually she can go back to sleeping in her own room. And I wouldn't have to worry about being stabby-stabby if she tries to wake me up in the night.
Although... I do in planning on training her on avoid and evade. Air bending techniques. Aang may have taught me a few tricks already. But I would need better instructions from Tenzin if I wanted to advance.
Might as well give her a head start on the practice. I recon Su might recognise a few moves, from her time around Aang and Tenzin. But I'll have to wait and see...
Xxxx
"Ok the best stance is like this-" I instructed to Opal. Who was listening with rapid attention. She glanced at her eldest brother who was also learning as well. On the side was pretty much the entire Metal Clan.
Although I could tell that they all wanted to see my sand bending in person. Huan and the twins simply out of curiosity. Baatar sr and Su to monitor what I'm teaching to her kids. And Kuvira... I dunno why she's here.
Can I not have a couple of hours to myself? Especially seeing Opal trails around with me whenever I go places. At least she had the sense to not follow me into the bathroom, I was worried that I might have had to tell her no And draw the line there.
On the other hand, I was glad to hear that Su was relieved that Opal agreed to see a shrink. Apparently, when I was out cold for the last couple of days she refused to talk to anybody. Even her parents. And she just stayed in her room- or mine.
"I've never seen a style like that before," Kuvira said looking at me intrigued.
"As a bounty hunter and a traveller, you pick things up and mix up the styles. If you stick to the old stuff, it might just get you killed." I growled at the last bit. My mind thinking of the pro-bending and its new style of being quick and agile.
"Besides its one of the best ways for aversion without wasting momentum and energy." I continued, "because believe me I have learnt the hard way." as I said that I removed my jacket. I could hear Opal gasp at the teeth dents in my shoulder as I unwrapped my arm. Kuvira was the only one not to gape or get widened eyes. Well excluding earlier.
"Now I want you to run through in what I just showed you. Uhh... Suyin might I have a word."
I pulled on my jacket as we walked away from the Meteor garden to a more private pathway.
"Please call me Su. What did you want to talk about?"
"Am I right in assuming that your metal bending force hasn't actually had any military fighting experience. Don't get me wrong I heard rumours that that have excellent combat skills. It just that I don't think that they ever had someone with the attempted to kill exposure. Whether the training had been till some is knocked down or out. I don't know how you work things here. But I know what I see." While I was talking I could see her looking thoughtful.
"I have at least five people try to kill me in the last three months alone," I added.
"While some of that is correct, I do have my staff to other places among the earth kingdom for a good few months for work experience. So not all are naivete in their job." I nodded, it makes sense.
"Would you mind if I were to test them? I would like to see their style myself and their ability to work as a team." I asked hopefully.
She ponders my question for a good few minutes before answering me.
"What do you have in mind?"
A grin made its way to my face.
This is gonna be fun...
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And this is chapter 14.
As some of you have noticed I didn't include the conversation with the Beifong simply to quicken my story along, so it gets to the good stuff. I have been thinking of this story for ages. Heck I've filled four note books with ideas, sketches and other bits like that…..
Now….I have narrowed it down to a few names but I will need your help in deciding which one I should use….
Kazuki – (kazu) meaning "one" or meaning "harmony, peace" combined with (ki) meaning "brightness" "hope" "Tree"
Zalfari- no meanings.
I'll wait a few weeks on posting and I'll announce which one I'll use.
If you feel like these don't work send me a better one if you can. I am still open to suggestions.
I am finally glad to have internet again. New flat and no internet for the past five weeks. I never realized how much I relied on it. Now I'm happy again..
Plzz let me know what you think of my story.
I hope to have book 1 starting in about five chapters, give or take.
Until next time….