Chapter 52: Friends

"I heard what you did today," Ming said tensely as she fished through her bag. "Actually," She corrected with some venom. "I saw what you did today." Her eyes cut to mine before glancing towards the back of the infirmary.

I shrugged. "I trained. Fought some people. What's wrong with that?"

She narrowed her eyes at me, her hand finding her hip. "You knocked a kid unconscious and blew out his knee. Is that not excessive? You're supposed to be chi blockers for goodness sake!" I looked at her, slightly amused. "Why are you smiling? This isn't funny, Kanni!"

I let a laugh bubble out. "It's a little bit funny," I gasped through my fingers that were clamped over my mouth.

She gasped, slapping my arm with her rubber gloves. "What is wrong with you?"

I sobered slightly. "Nothing! The bastard deserved it."

Ming gaped at me. "Excuse me? And who gave you the authority to decide what someone deserves? If I remember correctly, that's the very reason you oppose Amon."

I rolled my eyes, batting away her jabbing finger. "Relax. It was just a little payback. He and the other boy I fought tormented me in the woods, finally stringing me up out in the snow. So I kicked their asses."

She knitted her brows in thought. "Why did one get hurt worse?"

I shrugged. "Well the kid, Durjaya, not only was the leader of the two, but he hurt Naomi. Excessively."

"This might sound bad, but isn't she treated you terribly? Why would she matter?"

I looked at her, confused, with a tilted head. "I'm standing by what she said when we first met. Just because someone thinks differently than you, doesn't make them a bad person."

"But she has abandoned you even though you seem to constantly throw yourself on the line for her."

I shrugged. "She might hate me, but I still care for her. She's still a friend in my mind." Suddenly, I stared at the opposite wall as my bending picked up a presence. I kept myself from turning to look, instead relying on my bending. Naomi...she was behind me. How much did she hear?

I felt her backpedal slowly, receding out of the room to dash away. I guess she heard enough... My eyes cut back to Ming as she glanced behind me upon hearing the curtains ruffle.

"Who-?" She started.

"Naomi," I whispered. "I didn't know she was there until..."

Ming shook her head. "Maybe she'll finally change her mind about you. She feels guilty, you know." I raised a questioning eyebrow at her. Ming smiled softly, continuing. "Really, she does."

I scowled, looking away. "She didn't seem very sorry when she came into my hospital room."

"Kanni," Ming scolded. "That's what she feels bad about. How she's been treating you... it's eating at her." I gnawed on my lip uncomfortably, wringing my hands. Gentle fingers settled over mine, stopping them. "I'll try talking to her, how's that?"

I nodded slightly. "Appreciated. Thank you." She bobbed her head, pulling out a stethoscope from her bag of contraptions. She placed it in her ears, instructing me to breath normally.

It was silent for a moment while I felt suddenly self conscious about how loud my breathing seemed to be. Ugh this is awkward. This is one of the reasons I never made regular visits to the healers. Well... that and the fact that I have a strange tattoo on my arm and yellow hair. Besides... I don't like feeling like I'm being dissected with someone's eyes.

Ming nodded, grumbling to herself as she moved away, writing on a clipboard. "What are you even checking for?" I asked. "I'm sure my heart is working just fine, thank you."

Ming rolled her eyes at me, not looking up. "You had a punctured lung, Kanni. I was checking to make sure that there was no fluid in your lungs."

"Oh."

"Besides," She brushed the strands of dark hair away that had fallen from her bun. "I can guarantee that you have no idea what shape your heart is in."

I shrugged. "Feels fine, to me."

"You died, Kanni. You died. You were gone." Ming looked away, emotion filling her voice.

I hopped off of the cot, moving to her, my hand alighting on her shoulder. "Ming... I'm alright now, because of you. You brought me back, and for that I am thankful. But you don't need to worry..." I glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "I talked to someone in my time away. Someone important to me. She said I still have work to do here. I'm needed here. So don't worry," I smiled at her. "I'm not going anywhere."

She returned the smile, giving me a quick hug. "What's weird," She explained as she pulled away. "Is that despite the fact that you were dead, your heart is... it's fine. And your lungs... you should have at least a little fluid, since you did in fact, more or less, drown and have pneumonia, and a punctured lung."

"But?"

She shrugged. "Nothing. Your healthy, minus some soreness I'm sure you're feeling."

I nodded. "My ribs hurt. And I just feel a bit tired and short of breath."

She mumbled to herself as she scribbled down more notes. "Expected... of course, they're expected months from now but.. I'm assuming you did some healing?" I nodded once. "Alright. Well the upside is, Amon didn't allow me to disclose your condition. The only people that know how bad you were are the few that saw you. So... Amon, me, the Lieutenant, Naomi, and that poor chap you beat up. But he doesn't even remember, you nailed him so hard in the head."

I grinned. "I guess that works out. But what about the Lieutenant and Naomi? You and Amon obviously know the... arrangements of my stay... but won't they be suspicious?"

Ming pressed her lips into a line as she thought. "I don't know. Since you healed this quickly last time, you might get away with this. It might be... expected. For all they know, you just heal fast. You are seen as unique in other ways, perhaps this is one of them."

I frowned. "I hope you're right."

Ming was about to respond when she was called by one of the head doctors. She glanced sideways, giving them a wave, before turning back to me. "You're good to go. I'm assuming you're grabbing lunch with the chi blockers?"

I shrugged. "I guess? I wasn't really given an itinerary."

"Really?" She quirked an eyebrow. "So he's given you some freedom then?"

"I guess?"

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Interesting. Well you're welcome to drop by here whenever you like. Lunch hours just started, so you can go over and grab something if you like. Where will you be sleeping?"

I sighed, "Amon's quarters." Her face took on a mixed look of amusement and alarm. I waved my hands earnestly. "Oh spirits, no! Nothing like that! I'm sleeping on the man's couch! Relax! He just wants be to have dinner with him and stay there so he can keep tabs on me."

She raised her eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Oh really?"

I scowled. "Yes."

"I don't believe that for a moment!" She laughed. "I'm keeping my eye on you, miss."

I rolled my eyes jokingly. "Whatever, Ming."

"Dr. Ming!" The chief physician called again.

"Coming, I'm coming!" She turned to me quickly, giving my shoulders a squeeze. "Drop in again tomorrow when you have time so I can check on you, alright?" I nodded. "Good! I'll see you later, Kanni." She jogged off after the impatient doctor, leaving me to myself. I grinned after her, turning to head towards the cafeteria.

I could hear the chatter echoing down the hall as I stepped up to the double door entrance. I took a deep breath, mindful of the ache in my ribs, before entering with my head held high. To my surprise, the commotion didn't die down, and the only attention I received was a few heads turning in my direction before returning to their meals.

Well that's a nice change...

I strode up to the line, gathering my lunch, which consisted of a common Earth Kingdom dish with rice. I placed a cup of tea on my plate, scooped up some chopsticks, and headed out into the crowds of diners. I glanced around, unsure where I should go.

I could eat with the doctors... even though I have no idea what they think of me now. I let my eyes slide around, finding only people who I had trained with that morning. And most of them, if not all, are sure to dislike me now...

"Hey Shiny!" I pivoted, my eyes searching for the owner of the voice. Finally, I found the calm, bearded form of Kanan. He was sitting with his arms folded before him on the table, making direct eye contact with me. I raised my eyebrow at him in question. He flipped his head form me to the seat across from him.

Oh thank the spirits...

I weaved through the tables to find the seat he had gestured to, plopping down gratefully. "Thanks," I spoke calmly, hiding the pure relief I was feeling.

"Sure," He muttered back, stuffing some food in his mouth. We ate in silence for a moment before he spoke again. "So you guys never finished your challenging tournament. Does that mean no one gets out? Or are you finishing tomorrow?"

I swallowed the food in my mouth before answering. "No, the Lieutenant actually disbanded our little group. He thinks that learning from veterans in the trial program will be better for them."

"Them?" He raised an eyebrow.

"...Us. Right... us."

"You don't affiliate yourself with the new group? You did just show up."

I shrugged, staring intently into my tea. "I don't really affiliate myself with any of you. The Equalist cause, I mean."

He looked at me quietly for a moment, the gears in his head turning behind his eyes. "Then why do you try? What's the point?"

I shrugged again. "I... I mean today was about making a point."

"Okay, sure. But what about after that? Or before that, even? Why show up at all?"

"I..."

"Actually..." He looked at me contemplatively. "Why are you even here at all? Why weren't you let go?"

Shit. Think, Kanni, think!

My mind reeled as I struggled to come up with a lie. "Um..." Oh screw it. "Amon made a deal with me."

"And what is that?"

"I... I can't disclose that."

His face contorted. "He isn't-"

"Oh my spirits, no! Hell, no! Spirits!" I squished my face into my hands, feeling heat rush to my cheeks.

Kanan busted out laughing, his head tilted forward as his shoulders shook, brown hair falling into his face. I forced myself to smile through the discomfort, and awkward laugh pushing past my lips.

Kanan wiped at the tears pouring down his face, his white teeth revealed through his wide smile. "I'm- I'm sorry," He gasped through his laughter. "I shouldn't have said that. I mean... obviously right?"

I stopped, quirking my eyebrow at him. "Obviously...what?"

Kanan was still smiling, oblivious to the unintentional twinge of venom in my voice. "Well, I mean obviously." I stared at him in question. He shrugged, waving his fork in the air. "I mean you're... you."

"What's wrong with me?" I asked, trying to contain my frustration.

It dawned on him that I was offended. "No! Not that there's anything wrong with you!" He waved his hands in front of my face, his face insistent. "I'm just saying... I mean... that would be weird right? You were a bender... he took it away. There has to be... you know? Resentment, I guess? And I mean, you're on opposing sides right? So why would either of you want something like that?"

He was scrambling, and I felt my anger crumble away. I forced a smile. "I'm just teasing you," I lied smoothly.

His tough hands scratched through his beard as he looked at me in relief. "Oh thank the spirits! I worried that you were actually getting offended. Besides, he's an older guy right? How gross is that? What is he? Around my age?"

"Well what is your age?" I spoke calmly, fighting the turmoil inside my head.

"37," He responded, his fingers brushing through his beard again. "I mean Amon has to be at least my age, right? Maybe even older?" The men around us, all around Kanan's age, agreed. "He has to have experience if he's leading a revolution, right?"

"One would think," I responded, putting some food in my mouth.

Kanan raised an eyebrow at me. "What? He's not?"

"Not what?"

"Older. Don't tell me he's really young." I stared at him for a moment as I chewed. "Oh spirits. You're kidding!"

"I never said anything, Kanan."

"Well? So what is it?"

I shrugged, glancing back down to my food. "I've no idea. Why should I know? I think we already established all of that." Maybe my voice was a touch colder than I intended, but Kanan didn't even react.

He was too busy conversing with his friends. He waved his hand at me casually. "Ah, the guy is older. So you even have the age gap against you. I mean, thank the spirits his deal has nothing to do with...that... ya know? With all that?"

I forced a smile and a laugh. It sounded fake to my ears, but I guess Kanan had never heard my real laugh before. "True. Thankfully that's nothing I have to worry about."

But is it?

It was silent again for a few minutes as we all turned back to our food.

"So, you won't tell me what the deal is?"

"No," I chuckled as he smiled cheekily at me.

"Anyway, hurry up and finish, Shiny," He said gruffly as he stuffed the last bit of food into his mouth.

I frowned at him. "Why?"

"Training," He grinned at me. "You seem like someone who isn't going to let other people walk all over ya. If you want to keep that up, you gotta start learning from the vets." He gestured to himself and his friends. "My mates and I can help with that. Give ya some experience and get you ahead."

"You would do that? But why would you help me to possibly steal your position?"

The guys laughed. "There's more than one position, girl," One of them rumbled.

Kanan wiped his tearing eyes. "A Shiny for sure. Come on, kid. We saw what you did today, and we liked it."

"That kid was a real bastard. The one you knocked out," A man beside me with a missing front tooth laughed, slapping me on the shoulder.

I smiled. "Well, I'm definitely going to accept your offer." I scooped my remaining food into my mouth and stood, puffing my cheeks.

Kanan laughed. "Let's get to work, huh?" His hand fell to my shoulder, guiding me towards the door with his mates behind us. It was nice...

Almost like an uncle. Sure... I have an uncle... two actually. They just don't know I'm alive, and would probably hate me for technically taking their sister away... But still... This is nice.

We walked out of the dining hall as I swallowed the remainder of what was stuffed into my cheeks. I was suddenly very comfortable with the older guys, their relaxed state putting me at ease. As I laughed aloud at one of their comments, I found myself smiling at my thoughts.

Look at me... I made friends after all.

Author's Note:

Hey guys! I'm sooooo sorry for the long wait! It's crunch time here at college, and I've been positively swamped. Also, with Thanksgiving break, it's like family bonding is being shoved down your throat 24/7, so time to write is all but nonexistent.

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me despite the obnoxious wait. If I were in your positions, I would be pissed so I get it. I hate waiting, too. Just be warned... This week is Hell week for me. Projects and tests LITERALLY every day.

And then I have one more week of classes and then FINALS. So I'm a busy bee and I really want to just sleep for 10 years or something. But I'll do my best to post more for you all!

A final sidenote: kaleiler is my closest friend ever (friends since childhood). She's always been a big supporter of my writing and is my constant nag to get moving on my stuff! But the other day I was completely blocked on what to write, and she saved my ass by texting me random ideas. Mind you, she hasn't seen the entire LOK series... so she's in the dark about everything that happens... which is hilarious. But she gave me awesome ideas which will probably be popping up at one time or another. Already, a move in the last chapter was something she told me she wanted to see.

So, I figured I should deal out credit where credit is due!

Love you all, and you'll be hearing from me soon!

-Ryder S. Block