"Your arm may take some time to heal, you shouldn't go anywhere for now." Akahana recommended. She supported Hakaru in his walk outside, allowing him to support his weakened body by holding on one of Akahana's shoulder. They walked for about a minute until they reached fallen a log with a clear view of the sea. Akahana instinctively guided the injured man towards it.
Sitting down carefully, Hakaru ensured that his arm was secured. He did not want it to hurt more than it needed to. Once on the log, he let go of Akahana, grateful for her assistance. As he checked on his bandaged arm, Akahana walked past him to admire the view of the scenic ocean. It's waves rippled with sound as water glided across the sandy beach. Birds can be seen flying on the horizon.
"Thanks for your help," Hakaru said, while gently tightened the bandage. I'm glad I can get some fresh air after being in that room."
"Why?" Akahana asked without facing him, her attention still focused on the ocean itself. "Did something about that room bothered you?"
"Well, I felt there's no enough sunlight in there," Hakaru pointed out. "It's strange that it's so dark even though it's sunny outside," while he may need a glasses to see things clearly, he does have a good awareness of his surrounding. "There's also this weird smell."
Hearing his seemingly pointless complaints, she turned around to face him, Akahana's expressionless face moved closer until it is right in front of his. "I prefer my room that way, unless it's yours, that room will stay the way it is." She whispered.
Hakaru went silent, internally smacked himself for his open rudeness. That room he occupied belonged to this very women, and he didn't even considered that possibility.
"I'm sorry, I didn't very think before I talk." He apologized in great embarrassment. Although he can feel that she wasn't very impressed with his unplanned apology.
"Firstly my hair don't smell that bad, Secondly, if it wasn't for your injury, I would gladly bend your arm," she states in a more menacing way. "Usually those who get on my bad side don't live long."
Hakaru felt a hinge of fear in him as he heard the women. "But didn't you already bent my arm?" He said in an act of futile resistance, although the logic is there. For his left arm is already bent, and he didn't want to lose his right arm too.
Her face appeared baffled a little, a part of her brain is telling her that he is insulting her intelligence. She immediately forced a punch on Hakaru. Right before that punch can connect, she stopped. But Hakaru fell backwards as his body's reflex propelled him to hit the ground behind him.
"Ow!" He yelped in pain, the nerves of his injured arm may have been tampered a little from the impact.
"My bad, let me rephrased my sentence, what I should have said was that I will gladly bend your other arm." Akahana looked at the man before her, the word weak, was all she saw from her perspective. The founder of this island, Kyoshi trained the first batch of Kyoshi warriors with the aim to help them not to be subjugated by men. Over the ages, this tradition has not survived, and the rights of women on this island is definitely better than most places on this world. Yet, here she is, almost torturing an already injured man. He lied helplessly on the ground as he tries to suppress his newly felt pain. Her face turned stern as she walked to a nearby tree, and produced a fist with her left hand.
Hakaru heard a loud punch. He slowly recomposed himself and regained his position on the log again. Looking around at his surroundings, he noticed that Akahana only stood near the tree, pondering something. She stood still, which confused Hakaru even more. Despite not knowing how to fight, he at least had some knowledge in the field of strength and endurance. However, it doesn't require someone like him to figure out that punching a tree bare fisted would definitely hurt.
The women in front of him showed no signs of pain or discomfort. Although he can't confidently confirm that. Unknown to him, her face returned to the normal expressionless feature typical to a Kyoshi warrior.
"You ok?" He said in a sudden motion. It felt weird that their conversation went from talking about her room to completely something else.
She didn't respond to him directly, only breathing out from her lungs as she slowly made herself to the log. Immediately after she sat down, Hakaru felt the log slightly moved. He did not expect someone of the same age might possibly be heavier than him. Although he concluded that he might be the one that has a abnormal weight here, as he hasn't been eating properly for the past few months.
"Say, what is the world out there like?" Akahana asked.
"What?" Hakaru felt confused. This conversation just became even weirder.
"I'm asking you what is the world out there is like," Akahana's voice became a bit louder, though she is trying very hard to not raise her voice.
"Well, for the most part, it's very unstable these days" Hakaru recited, he has been to many places and has plenty of experience of the life on the mainland. "Ever since the Earth Lingdom is divided, bandits and rogue forces are becoming more prevalent, some states are already fighting one another, and I think many will be considering finding somewhere safer like Ba Sing Se. The situation there is starting to look a lot like the one hundred year war. But who am I to judge them, it's not like the conflict between them is something new. Ironically most of them thought things would get better after the Earth empire is gone."
His tone sound depressing, it's as though he is an old man who was recounting his entire life just to complain the many aspects of it. The multiple conflict between each of the Earth states has naturally forced many to relocate themselves in order to evade the danger. But with the Avatar fixated on Republuc city, who can they depend on to fix this own mess?
"Then why didn't you go to Ba Sing Se? Isn't living within the walls better than coming to a place as run down as here?" Akahana lightly questioned. Though Kyoshi island is still threatened by pirates after the demise of the Earth empire, she still holds her home in high regard. Logically, refugees of the now war torn Earth Kingdom would not chose this location over the Ba Sing Se, a city blessed with an almost impenetrable wall.
"Never," he said with a confident voice that surprised Akahana. "I may escape conflict by hiding behind the great bastion, but what I truly wanted is to live my life in peace, far away from all those political chaos I have known all my life. I wanted to leave my old life behind entirely, and Ba Sing Se is a little too close, I need somewhere further."
"So you chose here?" Akahana asked.
"No, I do plan to go somewhere even further." he said while shifting his concentration towards the horizon. It reminded him that he still need to find a place he dreamt to be his new home. "Somewhere...quiet, and no one would remember I even existed," he said almost in a complacent manner.
Unsure about his strange response, she challenged his perspective further. She may not understand his whole viewpoint, but she does want to know a bit more. "So you are telling me you want to live out your life like an air acolytes? How boring can your motivates get?"
"I don't know," he said plainly. "While being an air acolytes may seem rather meaningless to many, a simple life like that may just be what I'm looking for." Hakaru replied earnestly. After experiencing the ravaging instability of the now fracture Earth Kingdom, he very want to settle down somewhere safe, somewhere calm.
"Argh!" Akahana stood you from the log. "Why are you taking my words that seriously!?" she cried indignantly.
"Why are you so angry?" Hakaru pointed out. "Did I said something wrong?"
Akahana reassessed the situation. No, blaming him for her own anger is simply wrong. Especially not to someone who she personally injured. This irritates her so much. She breathed deeply to calm herself.
"Listen, just because I might have been a little friendly to you, doesn't mean I trust you entirety." She pointed out, and her enclosed fans are pointed towards Hakaru, who leaned a little backward while trying not to fall backwards again. "I don't even know your name yet."
"Just call me Ming," He said
"Well Ming, listen, with that arm you are not going anywhere!" Akahana stated out intently. "You can't even see clearly without your glasses, how are you even going to survive out there?"
"Well maybe I can a replacement for my glasses first?" He suggested, although it only reminded Akahana that she was the one who broke his last glasses.
Akahana thought about his proposition, and an idea came to her.
"We can get you a new glasses, but only if finish healing your arm first," She begin to walk away, leaving him sitting on the wooden log alone.
He didn't how to respond, only unwilling accepted his situation, that maybe a full recovery may save some trouble later. He procrastinated for a while, enjoying the ocean's scenery. When he thought about this island, it's remoteness, the villages, it does sound rather peaceful. With the exception of pirates, of course.
"She has become a lot tamer these days," an old voice behind Hakaru spoke out. This surprised the injured man, who turned around to face her. He did it slowly to avoid hurting his arm. Noticing that the voice belonged to a very elderly women, he realized she only supported herself with a walking stick. She appeared old, even older than the village's chief himself. There are many wrinkles on her face, and though she is old, the color of her hair is somehow still brown. Unlike most of the other inhabitants, who wore blue clothes, this person before him also wear green color.
"Usually her attitude used to be much fiercer when she gets into arguments with others," the elderly lady continued. She made her way to Hakaru. "Mind if I sit with you?"
"Sure," he replied respectfully. He didn't know who this women is, but no matter which culture one came from, it is always imperative to respect those who are from the elderly.
The women is cautious when she tries to sit on the log. Her advanced age has definitely limited many movements she once had in her youth.
She let out a sigh as she too looked out towards the ocean, with her walking stick resting near her. "Time sure do fly, and I think Spring is coming again," Her tone reflected many things, but Hakaru isn't what they are.
"Indeed, this year's spring did came a little earlier, I believe it's usually this season where more Earth Benders are born." Hakaru said. While he did not envy the natural power of benders in general, there are times where he wished he had it. Most people in this world did not have bending, but that doesn't stop them living life to the fullest. Yet, if only he too know how he can do that to similar extent.
"Well, spring is good," the lady replied. "But here on Kyoshi island, we don't have benders, while tourist do come here sometimes, the pirates are more than enough to scare new people from settling here."
"So you mean there won't be any benders living here for the foreseeable future?" Hakaru asked. He became a little curious about this topic.
"I don't know, what I know is that the people of Kyoshi island have endured many things." The old women recounted, though her memory isn't the sharpest at this point. "It's not like we actually depended on benders, not in the past, not now, not in the future."
"But aren't you afraid of things that are out your control?" Hakaru said in changed tone. "I saw what is happening in the fracturing Earth Empire, and it will only get worse once it reaches here. I don't know if Avatar Korra would even be here to save us."
The old women pondered. She has lived a long life, while she is no scholar, she is certain she had some elderly wisdom at the disposal. "There are many things that are inevitable and uncontrollable," she said as she looked at her own hands, which is populated by many wrinkles. "But I think there is something else you need to address, you are still young after all."
"What is it, please, do tell me," Hakaru tried to not sound too desperate. He felt that somehow what this lady is trying to convey might help with his inner struggles.
"Ask yourself this, what is your place in this world?" The women said in a simple yet complex manner. "I just heard you said you want to live out your days as an Air acolyte."
"Well, I am considering, but to be honest, I'm not very sure myself." Hakaru admitted to what he said early on. "While it might be peaceful living in the Air temple, I do sometime doubt myself in the path I am choosing. Which is why I wanted to see the world from a broader picture first"
"A traveler, I see, that sure does made me nostalgic," The women said with a little chuckle. "I used to go to many places with my late partner when we were young, back then, I remember Republic city were just tiny towns and villages."
Hakaru became interested in what she is saying, a women who have seen what that city is like at the beginning hunts she must be very old.
"Just, who are you?" He finally asked. He felt the way he presented that question may have been slightly disrespectful given his young age.
"An old lady, that's all." She replied, she knew this is not the exact answer the young man is looking for. "You are still young, my past has been written, but yours, is just the beginning. That's what I very wanted you know for now young man, that life brings many things, good and bad, but at last, you shouldn't take it for granted either."
He didn't know what response is good enough, but he know the wisdom is indeed timeless, even for someone like him. "I will remember that, meeting you allows me to realize how much there is still to learn."
"Then I will take my leave then, I do wish you a full recovery," She slowly stood up, and her back can be heard cracking a little. Hearing her physical struggle, Hakaru immediately lended his right hand to assist her. "Thank you, Ming, enjoy the island while you are at it!"
Her voice was lively, despite her old age slowly her down. She and her walking stick take off towards the village square, where he noticed few of the villagers seemed to act differently. The younger ones bowed to the elder when she walked past them, which implies she may be someone of significant status on the island. Whoever she is, he may not know for now. But he will remember this encounter, especially the words dispensed by that elderly women.
Looking down to reassess his arm, he suddenly realized he can walk a little by himself. This obviously is a good sign of recovery.
But the moment he moved his other feet, he felt something hard has been stepped on. Looking down at his feet, a pair of golden metal fans lied there as if they wanted him to pick it up.
He held the fans up to examine it, it has a design that looked exactly like the ones Akahana wielded. Except this one has a little rust, some parts appeared bent and battered. There are signs of repairs made on the weapon to preserve the condition. Clearly this weapon went through countless battles in its days.
His instinct told him to look where the old lady was, but he couldn't see her. She was gone. Does these war fans belong to her? Just when placed the fans into his pocket, another person behind him called him out.
"What you got there?" a familiar voice asked behind him, he felt a little fearful, but he was more used to it now. "I got you a stretch, you are welcome, spy."
"I am no spy," he said with immediately. He didn't know why he had the courage to argue against the very person who can injured him severely, but he just went with it. "If I were, won't I have been killed by you now?"
Unfazed by his response, Akahana brushed it out immediately. "I was planning to do it, but father just had to give you a chance."
Hakaru felt mentally relieved, he is grateful for the village's chief to be the one to save him from possible danger. Akahana tried to gave him the stretcher, but he at first refused.
"You sure? I know it's your arm that is injured, but can you very walk?" She asked in a rare display of compassion. He expected her to be more asserting, but looks like the old lady was right. Compared to when he first arrived here, she seemed...different.
"I need you to help me with something," He asked. He very wanted to return the fan to the right owner. "Can you return this to the owner?" He said as he showed her the golden pair of fans from his pocket. Since he is not an inhabitant of this island, he knew this women is a much better choice than him in returning the fan.
He gave the fan to Akahana, who hold the fans tightly. She knew exactly who this belonged to.
"Ming, where did you got it?" She asked with a heavy voice. This startled Hakaru a little, as he has seen this expression right before many of her angry outbursts. "Did you stole this?" she asked forcefully this time.
"I didn't stole this fan," he defended himself. "An old lady came by talk and I think she accidentally dropped the fans," Hakaru quickly explained, he do not want to cause another misunderstanding due to his actions. "Before I can return it to her, she is gone."
"Does she had brown hair?" Akahana inquired. "Tell me, does she?"
"They are like yours, now that I think about it," He answered while looking at the hair color of Akahana. While many villagers on this island has brown hair, he can tell the color are identical for these two individuals.
Akahana relaxed a little, it appeared she knew what is going on. "Thank you for telling me this, I will return it to her." She looked down at the fans to examine the markings and craftsmanship. It has to be hers. "That person is someone very important on this island, and to me, it's something personal." Her tone softened, once again an act of her anger management. Although this time she easily mitigated her temper, as if she is younger girl.
"Wait-" Hakaru said.
"I know, and don't worry, I will procure a glasses for you, just not now." She promised to him, Akahana then walked off, not looking back. Presumably to return the golden fans to the rightful owner.
Hakaru only stood there, looks like answers will have to wait for now, even though he still had many questions about that old lady he just encountered. He turned his head to face the beautiful ocean, like he done it like a million times already since he arrived here. No matter how many times he admired the ocean, he still does not get bored. It's rather soothing to watch the waves, which unlike him, does have a place in this world. They contribute to this beautiful scenery just like the birds in the sky's and the wind that drives it all. Together, they form an artwork like an actual piece of painting. It's great to watch all of this. It makes him comfortable and forget the pain of his arm, the pain of his past.
And may, just maybe, even he can become part of this beautiful painting.
*Crack!*
-The flashback abruptly ended.
Satchiko turned around to the sound's origin. A scrapping sound is then heard, it's from the kitchen.
"Sorry! I accidentally broke a plate," Mayumi called out to inform her sister and father. The sound made from the kitchen signifies she is cleaning up the broken pieces on the floor with a broom. Even thought Satchiko couldn't see it from this angle.
"I think I will end the story for now, it does take a lot of time to recount important details." Hakaru said. He turned his attention to the already prepared Pai Sho board on the table. "Goodness, it's getting late, and we haven't even played it yet."
"We can play it now, you can teach me the rules and I will adapt," Satchiko suggested to her father, she does want to use this game to at least bond her father. "But will you just tell me who that old lady was?"
Hakaru stopped for a moment, he carefully considered his response. Unbeknownst to him, Mayumi was also secretly listening from the kitchen. Waiting what he will say to Satchiko in regards to who that old lady is.
"We never told you about her did we? if you want know, come to the temple tomorrow when the meeting is over, get Mayumi with you." Hakaru said. He felt if she wanted to know who this elderly lady is, his own storytelling would not do enough justice for her. He picked up the white lotus tile on the board, looking at its very details. He stared at it blankly into the wooden piece for a little while.
"Dad, you ok?" Satchiko asked. This suddenly brought Hakaru back to reality. "Sorry, it's just an old habit of mine."
Author's message: Hey guys, thanks for reading this fanfic, I just wanted you to know that at this point in time, I will be spending some time to finish the 'Shadow of Kyoshi' novel. This so that I do not write anything that would contradict the canon, and I promise I won't too long. :)