Chapter 6: Raging Waves

(Vahni)

I watched the open waves crashing as we sailed North. Houjin offered to call in another vessel to take me home, but I decided to take the opportunity to travel. I turned and looked at what everyone else was doing. Tenchi was playing Pai Sho with Kai, Houjin was looking over maps, and Miku was playing with the Tigerdillo. I looked at the sky and slumped down into a seated position. I was contemplating getting to know everyone else in the group a little better. Besides Kai, I knew him a little too well. I looked up as I heard someone groan. Kai stood and walked off having clearly lost against Tenchi. He cheered I stood and walked over sitting across from him. Tenchi always had a knack for looking like he rolled around in the dirt. He seemed a little intimidated by me. He pushed up his glasses before clearing his throat.

"Need something?" He asked cleaning up the pieces on the board.

"Let's play a round," I suggested.

"Okay," he said setting up the board again. "So, you like traveling?" He said moving his piece.

"Yeah, I do what about you? You don't seem like the traveling type."

"I've enjoyed seeing the different cultures. I just wish this was a little less dangerous. I'm not very good at fighting," he admitted.

"Seems like Houjin's been training you," I said as I moved one of my pieces. I watched them training sometimes. Usually, Houjin would just knock Tenchi down fairly easily. For an Earthbender he didn't have a very strong stance. I hadn't seen him Earthbending a lot though with us being on the ship. He flushed before moving another piece.

"He's been trying too," he agreed.

"So you're a scholar don't most spend their whole life at a school?"

"I decided to leave to be with my mom. Are you sure you wanna move that piece?"

"I know how to play," I said. He shrugged and looked at the board pondering his move.

"What about you bounty hunters usually stay in a clan. You were part of the Jade Dragon's I can tell by your tattoo so what happened?" I felt my eye twitch before I stood.

"I'm done playing," I said and walked off. I went to my room and pulled out a dagger. It was silver with a brass handle.

(Tenchi)

I watched Vahni storm off and scratched the back of my head.

"What did you say to her?" Houjin asked walking up.

"Maybe I overstepped," I said with a shrug.

"Well It's time for practice," Houjin said his sword in hand.

"Do we have to," I whined out.

"Oh, are you guys gonna spar can I watch," Miku asked walking up.

"Maybe you two should spar my arm still hurts from yesterday," I said.

"Oh fun, can we?" Miku asked looking excited.

"Fine, you're off the hook this time," Houjin said handing me his sword. They both stood on either side of the ship. Miku put her hands up and had a very loose stance. Houjin punched fire at her. Miku jumped out of the way easily. Houjin made her step back as he swept his foot and fire ran along the ground. Miku stumbled and her back hit the railing off the ship. She put her hands on the railing and lifted her legs parallel with the ground. She swung her legs back her feet pointing to the air and did a half push up off the railing using air to push her higher. She flipped in the air and as she slowly landed she kicked down and air hit Houjin from behind. He fell into the railing. He kicked back flames at her and she split the stream of fire slicing down them with air. He approached her as she cleared the flames and he tripped her she fell back and he raised his foot and brought his flaming heel down towards her. Miku rolled out of the way and regained her footing. Houjin pushed two first forward at her creating a strong wave of fire. Miku changed her stance. I noticed her feet get wide as she moved her hands apart breaking up the flames. She punched forward and a strong gust hit Houjin he put up his arms trying to keep his footing. Miku did a right hook jab and the air hit Houjin from the left knocking him off his feet. Miku then cartwheeled close to him and put her foot chest.

"I win," she said beaming. She then helped Houjin up.

"You're very good where'd you learn to fight?"

"Surviving mostly I have traveled on my own for a while." She said as Eri landed on her shoulder. After that, I decided to get my star charting scrolls. I brought them out and noticed that the sun was setting slowly. I sat down and waited for the sky to darken. I heard footsteps and looked back. Houjin walked up with two cups of tea. He set one down near me and sat beside me.

"Still trying your hand at astronomy?"

"Well, it's a big sky." I said looking up at the orange and pinks painting the sky.

"Why physics of all things to study?"

"I figured that it would help me understand earthbender better."

"Your bending does seem very precise."

"Did you ever want to do something other than being a general?"

"Not really, I was raised to be a part of the army."

"I always wondered what it would have been like if my father reversed Mamoru and me."

"You'd be a terrible warrior." Houjin laughed out before taking a sip of his tea.

"You don't have to be so blatant about it." I huffed out and Houjin just smiled.

"I would get bored doing anything else."

"I could see that you were an intense kid after all."

"I wasn't that intense."

"You're the son of a general you should learn how to fight," I mocked in a childish voice. Houjin shoved me and we both laughed. Just then a horn sounded in the air. We both got up and I saw in the distance another boat. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Pirates." A large flaming bolder was headed towards our boat. They undershot and it missed. "Go get everyone above deck," he said to me. I nodded and ran off to go find them all. I saw Miku first.

"Pirates up above tell everyone," I yelled and she nodded before running like the wind. I found Kai next and he was already headed up with a spear in hand. Just then I felt the ship veer and we slide to the right of the boat. Kai and I both stumbled up and went above deck. I saw another flaming boulder soar over us. I heard Houjin calling out orders. Kai got to the side of the ship to bend. Mike appeared above deck and another flaming boulder flew by they kept missing. I looked at the arch and everything.

"Miku, would you be able to send a blast of air up at one of those boulders?" I asked.

"I would need to know where it's going to be." She said I watched another fly over it was too off-kilter.

"Houjin, get the boat closer," I said.

"In this current! Not the mention the flaming balls." He yelled.

"Trust me."

"Bring us close, Kai you think you can cut the currents pull?" Kai nodded and bent the boat. I grabbed Miku's hand as another flaming rock passed this time closer.

"You stand here when I say go shoot a strong blast straight up." She nodded and I stood perpendicular to her and waited. I saw them light another rock then waited. "Now!" Miku sent up air and it caught the bolder slowing it. I took a wide stance and grabbed the rock I swung it back and it hit their boat in the middle. I could hear everyone around me cheer. The pirate ship started to turn away from us leaving. Miku gave me a hug.

"Great job Tenchi." I smiled at her.

"You helped," I said. I felt a strong slap on my back almost knocking me over.

"I guess that science is useful." Kai chuckled. Houjin walked up and gave me a small nod.

"Good job, I thought you had lost it for a second."

"Well just don't ask me to bend anything else for a while my arms hurt." I said and they all laughed.

(Miku)

After our scare with the pirate ship, I went to find the kitchen. I did and saw a small guy who looked like he was preparing the kitchen.

"Can I make supper?" I asked he looked shocked. I wanted something to do sailing was getting boring.

"Be my guest," he said he looked exhausted. I looked at the ingredients and read the different labels.

"Hmm, not a lot of protein. Don't you think everyone would want something fulfilling Eri?" She chattered on my shoulder and I nodded I would need some help though. I walked out of the kitchen and down a few ways. I found the waterbender's room. He was very kind looking so I was sure he would help me. I knocked and he answered.

"Kai," I said and he looked confused.

"Miku what do you need?"

"Wanna help me fish?"

"An odd request, but sure." I smiled and walked up to the top of the ship. I looked over the ledge and went and got a net. I'm not a strong swimmer which is why I asked for Kai's help.

"If you disturb the water they will be forced to swim into here," I explained and he nodded understanding.

"I'll find them better in the water." He said so he started removing his layers and I flushed. Kai was very handsome. I had met a few men on my travels but none that were too close to my age. I rarely saw people most of the time. When I traveled most of my run-ins were with robbers. He was very muscular and I looked at my feet cause I didn't want to stare. He jumped over the side and went in. I walked two the edge and laid the net out. He went under and I waited. No such luck though. Kai came up from the water for the fifth time.

"They're more scared of the boat." He said. I turned and decided I would have to get in. I took off my shoes and unwrapped my shirt. I took off my pink pants leaving my white skirt still and a white under wrap that went around my neck but stopped at my midriff. I let my hair out of their buns. It fell out past my shoulders. I took the net and jumped in. I swam up and Kai looked surprised.

"Let's get those fish," I said and he laughed. He took one half of the net and we swam. He spotted a group of fish and then bent them towards us. We got them and I cheered. I nearly went underwater not focusing on swimming then I kicked and remembered too.

"You're a terrible swimmer." He laughed and took the net of fish. He bent it back onto the boat. I launched at him and tried to push him under for his comment. He wrapped an arm around my back and took me with him. He turned and pulled us both backup.

"Did you just try to fight a waterbender in water?"

"I can still fight," I said and we both laughed. He still supported me which I was grateful for swimming is tiring.

"Your optimism is refreshing Miku, but maybe you should learn how to swim better first."

"You should teach me," I said and he looked to be thinking.

"Hmm only if you teach me to cook."

"Deal!" I said.

"What are you two doing?" I looked up and saw Vahni leaning over the edge of the boat she looked upset.

"Fishing," I said.

"Well looks like you already caught some," she said.

"We should probably get out," I told Kai. He held me tight then bend the water around us. We shot in the air which I found fun. I cushioned our descent with air. Vahni raised a brow at us. I flushed stepping away from Kai and grabbing my clothes. I felt the water leave my clothes and hair and looked to Kai. "Thanks," I said putting my layers back on. I also tied my hair back up.

"Why were you fishing anyways?" Vahni asked.

"Oh, I was going to cook for everyone. Kai wants that first cooking lesson?" I asked

"I actually need him for something," Vahni said. I shrugged and took the net of fish.

"That means I don't have to babysit him in the kitchen," I said and he smiled at that. I walked off to go make the fish. I had a feeling Vahni didn't like me, but I decided to speak with her about it later. I made a lot of food and then rang the eating bell. A lot of staff showed up smelled the food looked excited and got their portions. Houjin came down with Tenchi and they both looked surprised to see me.

"Wow, Kai wasn't joking you took over the kitchen," Houjin said.

"Yes," I said serving them. Tenchi tasted it right in front of me.

"Wow food with seasoning." He said and Houjin elbowed him.

"Thanks, Miku we're lucky to have you with us." He said.

"Have you seen Kai and Vahni by the way they're the last two to eat?"

"They were sparring a while ago. Knowing Kai he might be enjoying the moon rising. Vahni's probably in her room."

"Thanks," I said. I packed two meals and went off. I went above deck and saw Kai sitting in a lotus position. I set the food by him quietly not wanting to disturb him. As an Airbender walking quietly is super easy. I then went to Vehni's room. I knocked and heard a quiet come in. I opened the door and saw her sat on the ground she had candles lit and a knife in her hand. "I brought you food," I said and set it down. I looked at all her weapons.

"So you're a bounty hunter?"

"Yes,"

"Vahni are you mad at me about something?" I came right out and said it.

"You just seem like you're trying too hard. Cooking for everyone being super nice it feels fake to me." I haven't been around people in a while so I wasn't accustomed to arguments, but I wasn't about to just let her walk over me.

"That's how I am it's not fake. I was a monk after all."

"Yeah what happened with that you seem perfect so why'd you leave?" I felt the silence fill the air.

"I didn't leave I was kicked out," I admitted and then turned to leave.

"Enjoy your meal."

"Yeah whatever," I went to the kitchen got my meal, and then went to my room. I was upset I had a feeling Vahni and I wouldn't get along. As we continued to the Northern Water Tribe and I taught Kai basic cooking stuff while I could and he helped me with a few swimming lessons.

(Kai)

I watched as we pulled up to the great walls of my lands. I smiled as we docked and I felt the familiar chill of the air. There stood the grand port and the ice buildings where my people lived. I was home.