Welcome to Book Two everyone! Thank you so much for reading this far I appreciate any feedback and support you can give!
I don't own Avatar or any characters that aren't mine.
Book Two: Soul
Shiori didn't open her eyes even though she had woken up long ago. There was a damp spot on her back where her deep red vest annoyingly clung to her skin where she assumed Kita had been healing her. Of course wet fabric was the very least of her worries.
I don't want to face anyone...I really am weak…
She felt the frigid air blowing and biting at her skin and the rough material of a bison saddle under her, then soft fingertips brushing through her bangs. Daring to crack open her right eye, she peeked at whoever was touching her. Kita was peering down at her with tears welled in her eyes and a quivering lower lip.
"Stop worrying so much…" She mumbled.
"Shiori! How are you feeling?!"
"Give her some room to breathe," Ari snapped.
"Sorry," Kita laughed, scooting back slightly, but still anxiously staring.
"Can...can you feel your legs?"
Shiori sat up with Kita's help and tried to move her feet.
"Something is tingling in my right foot but...I can't move either of them," She said, barely above a whisper.
"I tried everything I know, maybe there's special water I can use, we can ask around and, and...and I don't know but we're going to do everything we can, I promise I won't give up!" Kita rambled through sobs.
"I'm going back to sleep…"
However, Shiori later regretted doing so after her nightmare ridden nap. Flashes of Kana's maniacal grin, the snap of her wrist, the feeling of being controlled again so real that tears streamed down her cheeks. Kita kept trying to wake her, but was held back by Ari and Raavi every time.
"You're still not in great shape either, you know," Kai scolded.
"I'm just tired, I'm not used to fights like that. I'll be at full strength in no time, it's Shiori we need to worry about."
"It's just so….weird to see her like that…" Ari said.
"Ssh! I don't want her to hear us saying anything that'll upset her."
"Being an overbearing Mom isn't going to help her either," Ari shot back.
Kita slumped over and tucked her head in between her knees.
"We're just upsetting everyone now," Raavi sighed, earning a hard nudge from his mother.
"We're coming up on the temple!" Kai announced, and everyone peered over the side of the bison.
"He must be getting older than I thought, I don't see a temple anywhere," Ari whispered to Giyan, who just shrugged.
"The Western Air Temple is underneath this cliff, it's an architectural masterpiece," Kita told them. The entire descent into the temple, she kept informing everyone of little facts and tidbits, but Ari had long zoned out by the time they landed.
Before Jinora's feet even touched the ground, she was attacked by her younger sister with a suffocating hug.
"Jinora I'm so glad you're alright we were all so worried, I just can't believe what happened, the world is going nuts, how did you even make it out of there, who all is-"
"Okay, I'm very grateful that you're taking us in and everything, but we've had a really long day and I need a bath desperately, so can you just point me in that direction please?" Ari interrupted.
"Hey, I get you're tired, we're all tired, but how about you show some respect to our family?" Raavi told him.
"My little Raavi poo, no need to get all serious. Under the circumstances I'll allow that sass just this once….SINA, SEN, FRONT AND CENTER!" She hollered.
Seconds later, two airbenders in wingsuits came swooping down, nearly crashing into Ari, but Giyan tugged him out of their way in time. When they skidded to a stop, the two girls folded the flaps of their jumpsuits in and clipped them.
"These are my youngest, S-"
"We can introduce ourselves, but thanks Mom," one said, stepping forward and brushing her waist length brown hair from her shoulder.
"I'm Sina, eldest twin by three minutes and forty two seconds, and this is Sen."
Sen just waved, her other hand absentmindedly rustling her short, spiked hair.
"At least we can tell you two apart," Kita said with a giggle.
"Girls, can you show everyone their rooms while I catch up with my sister?" Ikki asked. They shrugged and turned to walk away, motioning for everyone to follow. Two other airbenders had brought a stretcher to carry Shiori, and followed close behind with her.
"Do we have any wheelchairs here?" Sina asked her twin.
"I think there's one in storage, it's some kind of antique."
"Should we let anyone use it then?"
"Well yeah Sina, she can't walk otherwise, duh."
"So girls!" Kita started, trying to change the subject, "You're, what...twelve? That's gotta be...fun?"
"Sure," they responded in unison.
"I haven't seen you guys in a while," Raavi said, smiling at them.
"Yeah since you decided to...what did Mom say?"
"Throw a whiny fit and run away," Sen answered.
Raavi grimaced and sighed, figuring maybe no one should talk at all.
The twins bumped elbows and flashed each other triumphant grins just as they rounded the corner to a hall of dormitories.
"Doesn't really matter which ones you take but it's two to a room because of how many of you evacuated here." Sen explained.
"Oh wait, mom said the Chief has a better room that's closer to Auntie Jinora's," Sina remembered.
Tila just nodded.
"So, uh two to a room huh?" Raavi asked, rustling his hair and glancing at Kita. However, unlike the usual routine in which the two would nervously giggle at any sign of a romantic instance, Kita's mind was elsewhere and her face had fallen.
"Are you o-"
"Well if we absolutely must, Kita, shall we?" Ari said as he hooked his arm around hers and snatched her away before Raavi could get out his question. He and Giyan both sighed simultaneously as they were left outside of the door Ari had just closed in their faces.
"This really isn't your day, huh?" Sina said, containing a chuckle as she patted her cousin on the shoulder.
"We're gonna go test our suits some more, Chief Beifong just follow us, catch you later," Sen told them before she and her sister bolted back down the hall, Tila hustling to catch up. Kita watched after her with concern, but decided she shouldn't pry right now.
"Should we go check on Shiori? Would that make you feel better?" Ari asked, tapping Kita's chin.
"As much as I want to be there next to her, I don't think that's what she wants...I know she'll tell me when."
"Then what can I do to cheer you up?"
"Nothing."
"Kita…"
"Ari please...I need some air," She said quietly before briskly leaving their shared room. She never knew why, but Kita loved getting lost. Being somewhere unfamiliar and expansive, having to learn her way through, so overwhelmed with new discoveries that it took her breath away; it was a sensation she couldn't rationalize, but one that was always close to her heart. The Western Air Temple was a perfect blank canvas for her to map. Kita navigated her way through the corridors, mentally logging shortcuts and detours alike. However, despite trying her hardest to feel lost, she didn't. Her mind wouldn't wander, rather it stayed fixated on Republic City.
One hall would lead her out to the main level terrace...then the screams of the citizens as a searchlight scanned them, the bombs, the people she left behind, Shiori. Ren. Flat, dark eyes penetrating her. Then when they touched. Like ice was being poured into her body through her fingertips. She'd never felt so cold, not even on her darkest nights in Ba Sing Se. Kita stopped in her tracks as the hair on her skin rose.
What is this feeling…?
"Kita?"
She spun around to face Raavi, eyes wide.
"What's wrong?"
"I...nothing. I'm fine. I was just...taking a walk."
"I can join you-"
"No, but thank you."
"I don't think you should be alone right now."
He's right. No, he's wrong, I want to be alone. But I want him to...no, yes, what am I even thinking?!
"I-I need to go."
"But, Kita-"
"Raavi leave me alone!" She snapped, instantly regretful. Surprise flashed across his face, then she saw the hurt set in.
"I…" She began, but couldn't say anything more. Kita put her hands over her eyes and turned abruptly to run from him. She darted around the corner and eventually made it to the terrace where she snatched a glider leaning against the wall and leapt off the edge, whipping it open and hanging on. Soaring around the outside of the temple, she swooped up and into the grass above it. She landed hard and rolled over the glider, hearing the frame snap in two. Kita sat up, her hair having fallen out of it's buns from the crash landing, and buried her face in her hands. Tears poured out of her and she wailed at the top of her lungs, voice carrying on the breeze and echoing throughout the field surrounding her. Her throat burned from the screaming, but she couldn't hold herself back, and stayed that way for what felt like a lifetime. She was just about out of breath and gasping for air when a pair or strong arms clasped around her. Kita inhaled the faint, musty scent of incense.
"Raavi I-"
"You don't have to say anything," he cooed, tightening his grip and nuzzling his nose in her hair. She continued to sob into his chest and clutched onto his sleek jacket with white knuckles. His hand rubbed circles on her back as he made an effort to comfort her further. After another minute or so, she pulled away from him and breathed deep. Her face was a blotchy red, cheeks puffy with bloodshot blue eyes. Kita sniffled as tears continued slipping down her cheeks.
"What if Shiori...what if she never walks again because of me…?"
"That wasn't your fault."
"It is, it's all because of me, when I met him I knew there was something dark, something awful, but I doubted myself."
"How could you have known what he was planning?"
"Aang would've known, Korra and Kyoshi would have put a stop to it before it went this far. Republic City has been taken over because I wasn't strong enough to stop him! And I...I yelled at you back there and I'm so sorry."
"You don't know they would've done any better, how many stories have we heard about Korra's mistakes, it took her years to even get where you are now."
"That's not true, it's not at all, I'm a coward," She said, her voice cracking as she buried her face in her hands.
"No, no you're not!"
"Yes I am...I'm so scared of fighting.."
"That's not what makes you brave. You believe in people, you have compassion, you're smart and caring, and you always do the right thing. That's courage. Kita, we're going to fix this."
"We have to. I have to."
"Not alone, you have all of us," he said with that crooked smirk, holding out a hand. She took it and offered a small smile, shuffling to her knees and hooking her free arm around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you," She murmured. He nearly shivered feeling her breath on his neck, then cleared his throat and backed away, "By the way, don't think you're gonna be the one getting all the credit, after we help you save the world I expect a medal ceremony, a statue, probably an entire day dedicated to just me, I'm sure Ari and Shiori would have their own days, but mine has to be better."
"A medal for what exactly?"
"I dunno, saver of humanity, number one badass, comic relief, take your pick."
"Well, I would say...best hair."
"Oh really? I mean it is soft as a baby's bottom,"
"I thought that only related to skin, not hair."
"Technicality."
"I think Ari would be offended if I gave you that though."
"You're right, I guess you'll have to give me the medal for cutest Team Avatar member right?" He baited.
"Uh, well I, um," She rambled, twiddling her fingers again.
"Oh, I almost forgot, you can check on Shiori now," He interrupted, figuring he'd save her from that question despite how hilarious it was to see her struggle so.
"Really? You think she wants to see me?!" She shouted, leaping to her feet and reaching for her glider, but paused once she remembered her clumsy tumble into the grass.
"We'll have to take the long way down, same way I got up here."
"So much walking," She whined.
"You benders can be so lazy," he teased. She snorted and they walked towards the cliffside together, where a path was carved into the mountainside.
Shiori swatted the nomads hand away, refusing the beige porridge she claimed smelled like a bison's vomit, a substance she regretted being familiar with.
"Let me," someone said, motioning for the other to leave and sitting on the stool at Shiori's bedside.
"I'm not eating that crap," she said sternly, eyes still fixed defiantly on the ceiling.
"That's okay, maybe I can get you some rice. I guess they say your stomach is sensitive right now and shouldn't have anything too heavy right now in case you throw up and can't roll over on your own, causing you to choke to death, but if you're willing to risk it…"
Shiori snapped her head to the right to get a look at this 'smartass', and saw a blonde young man sweetly grinning at her despite his grim words.
"So? Porridge or…?" He offered, swirling the mush with a wooden spoon before scooping some up and raising it towards her.
"Open wide," he said, still grinning to the point where Shiori officially labeled him a weirdo. Glaring harshly at him, she parted her lips just enough for him to slip the spoon inside.
"Shove the whole thing down my throat why dontcha…" She grumbled after swallowing. He just chuckled.
"I hear you've been through a lot."
"Mmf…"
"It's alright if you don't want to talk about it...Uh anyway, I'm Soma, Ikki's son."
"So you're related to those brats, huh?"
"My sisters? Sure, they're a little mischievous," he laughed. Shiori glanced over him discreetly: a shaggy golden blonde mess falling in his eyes, but she could see his arrow peeking out between the strands, light almost translucent taupe eyes and the same cat like smirk that Ikki seemed to have passed down to all her children.
"Are you feeling alright?" He asked, concerned at her vacant stare.
"No…" She admitted.
"What can I get you?"
"My legs would be nice."
"I wish I could, but I do at least have something for you. Once you're stable enough for it, at least. Since you're the Avatar's right hand man, I think you'll appreciate it. During the war, Avatar Aang and a lot of others came here after the eclipse. They sought sanctuary here just like you. According to my grandfather, this is where he and Zuko first trained together. Anyway, one of them left a damaged wheelchair and it's being repaired for you. It's really outdated, but there's a snack compartment."
"Yippee." She drawled.
"I think it'll help, really."
"Yeah maybe. Thanks. You air nomad guys really are as nice as everyone says."
"Nah, just me," he joked, then holding another spoonful of porridge to her mouth.
"I take it back," she said, wincing as she let the lukewarm goop slide over her tongue.
Knock knock
"Yes?" Ari trilled.
"Can I come in?"
"I know you just can't stay away," he laughed.
Giyan had to budge the door open before entering to see Ari laid on his stomach, head in his heads as he looked down at a magazine with his feet swinging lazily back and forth.
"What's up?"
"I wanted to say goodbye."
"What?!" Ari squeaked.
"I can't abandon my people at a time like this."
"Are you serious? If you waltz back into Ba Sing Se right now you'll just get captured again. Ren said himself there's Shizen all over the world, a mob could be waiting for you."
"My council-"
"Your council will be fine until this situation is under control."
"I need to help control it."
"I'm only going to say this once," he began, standing and cocking a hip to the side, "For you and Kita and your idiotic feelings of responsibility to the world, you can't help anyone if you're dead!"
Giyan sighed and looked at the floor.
"You know I'm right."
"What do I do?"
"Nothing. Giyan, you're a stubborn earth bender if I ever saw one, but you have to do nothing right now. We're here to lick our wounds. Shiori is...I never even knew she could look so helpless...and we don't even know what happened to Kita, but she's not herself right now either. I can't watch you fall apart too, you're the sanest one here."
"I need a plan."
"I know you think you do. We'll have one soon, but not today. Let's get some food."
Giyan nodded and let Ari leave first, following him out.
"I hear they don't eat noodles here. Not one noodle in this whole place."
"That's unacceptable."
"Isn't it?" Ari agreed with melodic laughter and Giyan cracked the slightest smile.
