Chapter 26: Airball

"You guys have two days to prepare," I offered to the nervous Avatar before me as I grabbed dishes for Pema. "You guys can beat them. They're good, don't get me wrong, but you guys are better. Trust me."

Korra frowned at me. "But how did they win so quickly?"

"I don't know... But you guys won't let that happen," I reassured her. She offered me a smile. Her fist pounded into her open palm. "I just can't wait to punch Tahno in his pretty-boy face."

I laughed, nearly dropping the plates. "You can't physically punch him, Korra."

She shrugged. "Well... I can beat him up though."

"That's the spirit. Now get out of here. You have practice."

She looked over her shoulder at me. "You coming?"

"Not today. I promised Pema I would watch the kids today."

Korra nodded. "Well will you come to dinner with us tonight?"

I pursed my lips, knowing that dinner would cut my plans short. "Sure, but only if its later."

"We can do that! See you tonight! We're going to that Water Tribe restaurant with the really good seaweed noodles!" I smiled, nodding to tell her I understood. She smiled, turning with her bag over her shoulder, and sprinted in the direction of Naga.

"Can we come to dinner?" I jumped at Ikki's voice as she appeared behind me.

I laughed. "Nope. You'll be with your family."

"But why?"

"Because your Daddy and Mommy want you there."

"So?" Her voice was innocent.

I put on a face of fake offense. "Oh, I see. Aren't afraid of your parents, huh?" I moved forward, grabbing her around the waist and hiking her over my shoulder as I spun in circles. "Well I said you have to be there!"

She squealed and giggled, kicking her legs. I stopped, slowly wrestling her back to the ground as she squirmed.

"Fiiinnneee," She grumbled in her high-pitched voice. "But only if you play with me!"

I crossed my arms. "Conditions, huh? What kind of game?"

Her grin should have warned me.

By midday I was sweating unlike any time in my life. Ikki had dragged me to the far side of the island, to where large wooden pegs stood high above the ground.

"What is this?" I had asked.

She smiled a cheeky grin. "Airball."

"Airball?" I frowned, everything beginning to set in. "Ikki, I can't airbend, remember?"

She shrugged, taking a running start before using her airbending to propel herself on top of the pillars. She picked a hallow ball with curving holes from the top of one, airbending it deftly around her as she smirked at me. I pursed my lips as I debated on what to do.

Come on, Kanni. Just think. You can handle it.

I used the snow on the ground to lift myself to her level, stepping lightly onto my own pillar. The wooden pegs were just large enough for me to stand on, not really large enough to fit both feet, but enough surface to balance on.

"Alright, so how do we play this game?" I asked hesitantly.

Ikki smiled, jumping in the air in excitement. Her words poured out of her mouth like an avalanche. "So you and I are on opposite sides and we try to get the ball through the other person's goal! Are you ready?"

"Woah! Hold on, there!" I followed her finger to where she was pointing. The pegs were set up to be a few feet apart, forming a huge rectangle. On either sides stood two larger pegs with a circle suspended between them. The circle had an intricate carving of the Air Nation symbol in the middle, which I assumed rotated as the ball went through. "Alright... I think I know what I'm doing. You do know I have to use waterbending, right?"

Ikki laughed as she practically floated to her side with the ball. "Of course, silly. Now get ready!"

I hopped across the pegs, getting used to the balance, towards my side. I turned, pulling a length of water from the ground around my shoulders. Ikki and I both stood in ready stances as I waited for her to begin.

"Let's GGOOOO!" She cried as she tossed the ball in the air. She leapt after it, spinning and kicking out with her heel to send the ball flying towards my goal with a gust of wind. It went so fast I almost missed it.

Thankfully, I grabbed it with the water that now enveloped my arms like long tentacles. I spun as well, whipping the ball back in her direction.

"Eek!" I let out a yelp as I landed, one foot missing a peg. I fell between the wooden pillars, but used my water tentacles to grab the ones around me, pulling myself back up. When I landed, my feet on two separate pegs, I saw Ikki shoot the ball through the pillars, making it ricochet about, before bouncing out and smashing through my goal, the spinning symbol whirring like the gentle roar of an audience.

I looked back at her grinning face with my mouth agape. "Alright, I'll admit it. That was cool."

She gave me an exaggerated bow, along with a cheeky smile.

"Are you guys playing without me?" A voice cried from below. Ikki and I looked down to see the short form of Meelo, his hands on his hips.

Ikki mimicked him. "Well we can't play with uneven numbers, stupid!"

"Ikki," I scolded, silencing her.

"I can play, too,." I turned my head to see Jinora floating gracefully down onto a peg beside me, the ball in her hand.

I smiled at her, which she returned. "Alright," I started. "Teams then. Jinora and I versus the high-maintenance kids?"

Jinora laughed as Ikki pouted. "Fine! We can beat you!"

Meelo joined his sister across from Jinora and I. I have no doubts that they can win...

Jinora developed a confident smirk, before throwing the ball in the air, and flinging it towards her younger siblings.

"Lunch, everyone!" Pema's voice called out from the distant courtyard.

"So, what's the score, huh?" Ikki was way too energized as she bounced around across the pillars.

I was breathing heavily, hands on my knees as I grumbled, "I don't even know anymore..."

Jinora let out a breathy laugh as Meelo responded triumphantly. "24 to 20! We win! We win!"

"Alright, alright, you win! Let's be done now," I offered.

Pema's pregnant form rounded the corner of the house, obviously looking for us. When she saw us all on the Airball pegs, her face contorted into one of confusion and amusement. "What on earth are you doing?" She called as she came closer.

I stood upright, my breath still a little short. I extended my arms to my sides, yelling back, "Playing Airball! What else?"

She laughed as all hopped down, landing softly in the snow. Well, the airbenders landed softly. I could barely hear their feet hit the snow. I, on the other hand, tired out from a game not meant for me, as well as their eternal energy, landed rather heavily, almost stumbling to my hands and knees.

"She actually did really well," Jinora praised in her formal voice. "We only lost by four."

Pema's eyebrows raised, "I'm impressed, Kanni. I've watched them play before. It's an intense game, even for them."

I nodded, only half believing her.

"Alright, guys. Good game," I breathed out.

Ikki jumped up and down, tugging at my arm. "Can we play again? Can we play again?"

I laughed. "Sure, but some other day. Maybe I'll beat you next time."

"I doubt it!" She yelled, teasing me.

I tousled her hair and nudged her towards the house. "I'll take that bet. Now go get cleaned up, you filthy brats. Your mother doesn't want any dirt at dinner, got it?"

They all giggled, giving me hugs and rushing off, Jinora's hand lingering affectionately on my elbow before she followed after them.

"Don't let them fool you," Pema chuckled to me. I looked sideways at her, raising my eyebrow as we walked towards the house. "They're more tired than they seem. They'll crash tonight. Thank goodness. It's been terrible trying to get Meelo and Ikki to bed. Even Jinora tries to stay up reading all the time. But at least that one is quiet as she stays awake."

I laughed, "Well, I'm happy to be of service."

Pema wrapped her arm around me from the side as we walked. "Thank you, Kanni. You really are wonderful with them."

I smiled softly, returning the side hug. "They're wonderful kids. It's not difficult to love them."

"And they love you. Really, they do. They all act differently around you. Especially Jinora. She's been going through this... quiet stage. But with you, she seems so comfortable and even gives you hugs. I mean she gives hugs... but... I can't explain it. There's a connection there."

She has a gift. Who? Pema? Jinora. What do you mean? The girl has a close connection with spirits. Can't you feel it? When I though about it, there had been something that automatically bonded me with the girl. Yeah, I do... It's uncanny. She's hypersensitive to the spiritual aspect of the world. It's no wonder she is such an accomplished airbender at her age. Huh...

I pulled myself back to my conversation with Pema. "She's a good kid," I offered, a little discombobulated by my silent conversation with Yue.

"She is. And so are you, Kanni." Pema's hand rubbed my arm.

I smiled, "I'm considered an adult, Pema."

"Please," She waved her arms in front of her as I opened the door for her. "You're still a kid in my book." Her finger was jutted in my face.

I playfully batted it away with a laugh. "Alright, alright. I'm going to wash up quickly. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"That's fine, hon. Make sure those troublemakers of mine are actually getting clean."

I laughed, nodding as I left Pema to return to my room. Once there, I shed my sweaty clothes, splashing water on my warm face. After pulling on a new shirt and pants, I slipped back down the corridor, tying my hair into a bun.

I ducked my head into the common bathroom, and yelled, "Let's go, slowpokes!"

I heard giggles before almost being trampled by a stampede of yellow and red. The kids, all in fresh airbender robes, sprinted down the hall, me on their heels.

As much as I loved them, I was excited to finally be able to leave tonight. They made me feel like an old fart, the way they sped around with eternal energy.

Besides... I had things to do that night.