Chapter XII
Bedlam in the Bathhouse.
The weeks began to pass by the three rather quickly, it was almost high summer and the Minor Heat has started in the southern half of the Earth Kingdom. Each of the brothers, felt like a part of the estate as days went by. Arjuna enjoyed their company and Yomi seemed more cheerful and himself as he worked in the gardens. Chiko saw glimmers of his foster father's former life as he weeded and tended the garden. Chiko sat in the plum tree as Yomi worked. To him, nothing brought more peace than watching Yomi work, it felt like home again. Kirana was also getting closer to Yomi sharing more time again, Chiko watched her cross the lawn to greet him with a cup of mango juice and fresh nuts.
"Something to refresh you Yomi," offered Kirana as Yomi stood up, bare chest, and sweating.
"Oh thanks Kira, I needed that." He took the snack gratefully as she turned her head to see Chiko.
"Come out from the tree bird, I have some kumquats for you." Chiko wrinkled his nose as he floated down from the plum tree in airbender fashion.
"Don't c-c-call me bird. Only Yomi and Mao can me-me-me-me-me-me that." He said walking to the apartment where Mao was. Kirana chuckled watching him.
"Oh don't be cross with me Chiko; I'm only trying to be friendly." Chiko walked inside with a surly response of:
"Save your f-f-flirting for Yomi." As he gone out of view and earshot, Kirana laughed again and shook her head.
"Teenagers, they always have to be disgruntled with something don't they Yomi?" Yomi laughed too finishing his juice. The warm summer sun shined down on them as Yomi took spot of turf to sit upon to chat with Kirana.
"Chiko has been moody lately, I think he reaching a point where he is feeling a lot of things he doesn't understand and he doing the typical guy thing of not talking about it. Much like Mao really." Kirana didn't comment on Yomi's observation but cocked her head a bit as a breeze played with her light brown hair. She had a playful smile on her lips as she reached to play with Yomi's greasy hair.
"You are in need of a haircut dear monk. Perhaps in a more fashionable style you'll fit in better with the Earth Kingdom." Yomi made a dismissive noise and pushed her hand way.
"My hair protects my neck from bug bites and sunburns, and as someone who had no hair for most of his life I like having the protection." He said with a sly smile. Kirana chuckled again as she played with his hair more.
"My sister and brother are coming up to visit this afternoon, and my sister's husband and their son. I think you would like them, especially by younger brother he's much like you really." Yomi had a wry grin.
"You mean he's a nervous wreck and can't stop fussing over his family like a mother-hen." Kirana laughed and covered her mouth to try to stop it. She was smiling brightly before answering Yomi.
"No, no, I'm saying you're a lot like Ijo in the sense both of you are caring, protective and awkward around women you like." Yomi paused for a second and then fell back on the grass laughing.
"Is it really that obvious?" He asked, to which Kirana replied.
"No, but then again I really like you so maybe we're both acting awkward and clueless." Yomi lifted his head up to smile at her before turning away to laugh again.
"Maybe we both are."
Meanwhile Chiko was sulking in the apartment trying to read the 'Hogmonkey King' while Mao was cleaning his sword which means he was brooding about something. He let out a long sigh as the sound of summer chimes echo in distances. He could hear the cicada-locusts chirp in the distance. Chiko mouthed the words of the pages before pausing and squinting at the sentence.
"Mao? Can you tell me wh-wh-wh-what the c-c-character means?" Mao stopped and looked over his shoulder and saw the character he was pointing at and he squinted at it before replying to him.
"Oh I see, the word is 'encompassing' see look at the character here, zhōu, with that character it makes the word 'encompassing" got it?" Chiko nodded at Mao before continuing to read Mao watched him helping him every so often before Yomi walked in and threw his dirty shirt on the table and got a hair brush. Mao lifted his head to grin at Yomi.
"Have you kissed her yet?" Yomi looked puzzled as he asked that and wrinkled his brow at him.
"What? No. I didn't kiss her, would I?" Mao had a fox's grin as he leaned on the wall near the window.
"Well you both totally dig each other; you've been making cow-eyes at each other all week, by now you would have made the first move." Yomi frowned and shook his head as he was brushing his hair. At that moment Kirana walked into the apartment.
"My brother, sister and her family just arrived, my father asked you three to get cleaned up so you can be introduced." The three hurried and scrambled to get cleaned for Arjuna's family. Chiko rushed and forgot to get the cloak needed to cover his left side and followed after Mao and Yomi.
Ijo was Arjuna's second eldest son; he looked very much like a younger version of his father, complete with his charisma. His sister was meeker and had very mousey air about her; her husband was quite the opposite and was very loud and energetic. The trio walked up to the front of the house and bowed politely to four there. Arjuna smiled at them and introduced them to his children and son-in-law.
"These are the nomads I wrote to you about, they are honored guests here. This is Monk Yomi, Monk Mao and the lad here, is Monk Chiko. Boys, this is my son Ijo and my daughter Bethari and her husband Sentosa and their son Perak." They all exchanged mutual bows before going into the sitting room for tea. Perak however looked at Chiko with a furrowed brow.
"Baba? Why Mr. Chiko missing his arm?" Sentosa frowned at his son,
"Perak don't be rude, it's not nice to ask such questions to monks." He chided as he ushered his son into the sitting room for tea, Perak didn't seem satisfied with that answer and pouted as he sat beside his mother. Bethari blushed in embarrassment as she took a seat beside her husband.
"I apologize for my son's rudeness; we've taught him better manners." Chiko waved it aside as he said beside Ijo.
"It's n-n-not a p-pr-pr-problem. He's just c-c-curious." said Chiko wrinkling his nose a bit as he spoke. Bethari was going to say something but Padma interrupted her by setting hot tea and red bean dumplings on the table. Perak grabbed on and ate I happily as all the adults started to converse and catch up.
Chiko was bored throughout the conversation, Yomi was talking to Bethari and Mao was listening to a conversation with Sentosa, Ijo and Arjuna, his attention was immediately grabbed when Ijo started talking about the Omashu king.
"Privithi is getting old, and he isn't as sharp as he used to be there is a very good chance Bumi is heir will take the throne before shuāng jiàng, the Frost Descent. I've been watching a lot of the inner court talk and if Bumi take the throne, then Omashu would be safe." Arjuna disagreed and shook his head as he sipped his tea.
"No, Bumi is an odd fellow, he's a few tiles short of a pai-sho set but he knows what he is doing. Omashu won't be safe until the end of the war. Bumi could be assassinated and one of noble clans could usurp the throne. Knowing Bumi I think he will continue to send men out into the fields but be restrictive on who enters city, but I doubt he have guards checking food and watching him around the clock for assassins." Mao got into the conversation,
"Why not Arjuna, does Bumi fear for his life?" Arjuna chuckled and shook his head.
"There is nothing that Bumi fears; life is nothing more than a game to him. His demeanor unnerves a lot of people and people underestimate him when they do meet Bumi. So if he does get assassination attempt, there is a good chance the assassin would be caught and severely dealt with. But no matter how good or competent a leader might be. No city is really safe with one." Mao took this into consideration. There as obviously going to be assassinate attempts, but it seems that Bumi is a skilled warrior and will handle himself. But the fear will always be present. There was also something else.
"Bumi isn't good with court politics isn't he?" Arjuna chuckled and finished his cup.
"Right, he has no interest in them and prefers to care more about the city than the nobles in the Omashu court." Mao paused for a moment and then had a thought.
"So even though Bumi is a skilled fighter and any assassination attempt on him would be caught before it happens. There could be an internal affair and Omashu breaks apart from the inside because Bumi wasn't paying attention." Arjuna agreed and poured himself another cup.
"Leaving the city open for conquest; so even with Bumi, the city is not safe. There is always a risk. Now Mao tell how would the water tribe will fall apart with isolation?" Sentosa actually answered this before Mao and gestured as he spoke.
"Famine of course, without decent trade the Northern City will starve." Mao shook his head and leaned back with his hands behind his head.
"Nah you don't how the Northern Tribe works. First off, they won't starve because of two reasons, reason one; they are self-sustaining. They have been for centuries, they don't need food trade because they can hunt whales, fish, seals, and gather seaweed with no problem. And second they will have some export trade with some of the northern cities of the Earth Kingdom but there might be heavy regulations. The northern Watertribe is a fortress. It will be secure through isolation, and the government is very stable. The Southern water tribe will probably suffer the brunt of it and all the water benders will be slaughtered. They are not as nearly protected as the North and therefore Fire Nation is going to focus on them." Mao looked at Arjuna who nodded in agreement but Ijo wrinkled his brow.
"And you know this because?" Mao shrugged at his statement.
"We ran into two boys from the Southern Watertribe who told us and a girl from the North, she didn't tell us much though, but from what the boys said. Heading to the Northern Watertribe is the best bet for not being involved with the war. With Omashu you still have risk of being taken over and subjected to Fire Nation rule." The two other men seemed speechless and quietly ate. Then Sentosa said.
"You need to come to Omashu, Monk Mao. We need a man with good head on his shoulders." Arjuna sighed and shook his head.
"They won't be heading to Omashu quite yet not for a few years. He and his brothers have a job after New Year's." Mao blinked at that and leaned back.
"What kind of job Arjuna?" Mao asked drinking his tea, Arjuna waved it aside.
"I'll explain when you leave at the end of this summer."
Meanwhile Yomi was explaining to Kirana and Bethari about his adventures in the wilds of the Earth Kingdom and life as a monk as well. Chiko was listening but frowned a bit when Yomi got into detail about what Chiko was like as toddler.
"Fortunately Chiko wasn't a picky eater. He'll eat anything that isn't rotting when he was around three and half I found him in kitchen one afternoon after studies, absolutely covered in lemon jam in the temple kitchen." Yomi went on explaining, the women were giggling at the story as Chiko sighed and rolled his eyes. He looked at Perak who was watching him across the table. He looked to be around eleven, seemed fascinated at Chiko's stump.
"So how did you lose it? You never answered my question." He stated mildly as Chiko started to drink his cup. Chiko had to admit the kid seemed intent in knowing the answer, and it wasn't right for him to cop out and not really answer his question. Chiko stormy gray eyes looked at him almost crossly before sighing.
"It was ha-ha-hacked off, by a Fire N-n-n-nation soldier." Chiko replied as he looked away, bored with the situation now and annoyed at Perak. He thought that would shut him up and he could try to get into Mao's political conversation but instead Perak decided to follow up on his first question and annoy Chiko even further with another.
"Wow! What do you do to get him so angry that he hacked of your arm?" Chiko narrowed his eyes and felt a wave of anger and bitterness surge inside him. The kid found this amusing? It was a topic that still bothered him and Perak was taking it with humor. Chiko was already in a foul mood but Perak was worsening it. Chiko glared at him.
"I don't w-w-want to discuss it, go bug your mom." He shot back annoyed at the nosy child. Perak however kept bugging him.
"Why do you stutter? I know some kid who does that in the academy, did you get it because of the war or did you always have it?"
"Why are you so d-d-damn nosy? It's none of your b-b-b-business." Chiko growled out trying to hear Mao so he can throw in his opinion. However, Perek snapped the last string.
"Mama says questions make a man wise, and I just want know things. You seem more interesting than the others, so I wanna know why you lost your arm and stuff." He said so plainly. Chiko felt the wind rise around him, angry he sent a gust of wind around the table catching people attention as he snapped at Perek.
"I am not some goddamn th-th-th-thing you can poke at! You have no m-m-m-anners and it's apparent your mom d-d-didn't b-b-beat them into you!" silence paused around the table. Arjuna cough awkwardly and Yomi sighed.
"Bird. Go the apartment now."
"Yes sir.." Chiko said getting up and heading out.
()()()()()()()()()()()
Alone in the shade of his room, Chiko air-bent a ball and let it levitate and rotate above him as he sulked alone in his room. Yomi joined him a while later and closed the curtain.
"Bird? Why have you been so cross lately, you were foul to Kirana and now to Perak. Good thing Arjuna likes us you would have suffered a graver punishment for being disrespectful to a noble's son." Chiko turned over on his side as Yomi sat next to him and tried to talk to him to understand what happen to his sweet natured ward or rather, why today he decided to act out? "I understand that you have been bored lately, we all have been a bit bored, but what made you so surly lately?" Chiko continued to give Yomi the silent treatment and stared at the wall. Yomi decided to prod further. "Was it Yun? Have you seen her lately?" Chiko's growl indicated that it was the wrong answer.
"No it w-w-w-w-wa-wa-wasn't her, yeah I have h-h-haven't seen her in a w-w-while, but…it's none of y-y-y-your business anyway!" he said with a tone of annoyance not too happy that Yomi was asking these questions, however he rolled over and turned to Yomi a frown was still on his face. Chiko notice the expression on Yomi's face as the sun was starting to set. He looked pained almost hurt by Chiko's actions. Chiko was angry at a lot of things but he couldn't be angry at Yomi.
"I'm sorry for b-b-b-being so cross. I saw Yun but only for a few min-min-min-minutes, we haven't g-g-g-g-g-gone on another d-d-d-d-d-date and w-w-want to but I'm scared of a-a-a-asking." Yomi laid a hand on Chiko's shoulder and squeezed it gently to comfort him. Chiko frowned again and shook it off as he finally stood up.
"I don't know why I have b-b-been so, so, so angry everything makes me so angry. Seeing you happy with Kirana, Mao playing p-p-p-p-pranks on the m-m-maids, us being the m-m-most comf-f-fortable in years, it all m-m-m-makes me so frustr-tr-trated and I don't know why." Chiko said as he paced around the room his arm flapping and waving about. Yomi watched this and then an idea hit him.
"So you feel stagnate and you lashed out at Kirana and Perak because you really have nowhere to channel all that aggression." Yomi noted which made Chiko stop pacing back and forth. "Why are you so angry at Kirana being friends with me? Just because, or do you think it's because you are afraid that her and I will fall in love?" That made Chiko air-spin around with his mouth agape. He furrowed his brow under his long bangs and tilted his head in shock and surprise. Why did Yomi think that? Chiko blinked and then shook his head.
"N-n-n-no. It's not that Yo-b-brother, I mean, I know that you-you-you-you-you-you are h-h-h-happy with her, but I don't th-th-th-think you two will fall in love. You m-m-m-m-miss Nami too much." In truth Yomi's assumption was rather close to Chiko's fear and jealousy. Chiko still missed Nami and to see Yomi close to Kirana made him apprehensive. It wasn't that he disliked Kirana, though some days he wished she would stop hounding him and nagging at Mao about chores. In all he was worried that Yomi will fall in love with her and have his heart broken once again. Yomi understood what Chiko was saying and tried to assuage his fears.
"I do miss Nami, but I really like Kirana too. I am happy that you found Yun and I know you are happy that I found Kirana. If we do fall in love, then we do. Missing Nami isn't going to stop me from sharing my life with Kirana in the future. Now we need to expel all that aggression into something. It's not healthy for you to keep it in and release it on innocent people." Chiko sighed at Yomi's remark and sat on the divan that he was on, and levitated the ball again.
"Perak was far from in-in-innocent." Chiko said his voice was low and annoyed. Yomi laughed and beckoned Chiko follow him.
"C'mon I know a way to get all that teenage rage out of your system. We can spar."
It was almost dusk and Chiko and Yomi where at a dojo behind the main house. Arjuna was with Mao and Sentosa. Ijo had Perak beside him and Kirana and Bethari were watching them standing across from each other starting down.
"We'll why didn't I think of this sooner, Chiko could have sparred." said Mao scratching under his long top-not, Arjuna was still smoking his pipe.
"Mmhm, I agree it seems that it would be a good way for him to focus on something else. I use to spar with my son who is in the war right now. It helped a lot of frustration." Arjuna noted as watched Yomi take off his tunic top and Chiko following suit. Perak gasped at Chiko as he took a bow in front of Yomi. Ijo gave him a stern look at him.
"Remember about what I said about tasting your words?" Perak nodded and didn't remark on about Chiko's scars or stump.
"Well songbird? Shall we begin your lesson?" inquired Yomi his eyes at Chiko. Chiko nodded and got into position.
"Let's go."
Yomi started the bout with a powerful gust of air at Chiko who dodged it with ease he started to charge at Yomi who repelled him with another gust of air. Chiko was being pushed back as he had his arm and stump up trying to resist the pressure of the blast. He waved his arm rerouting the gale and returned it to Yomi who duck and counter attacked with a roundhouse blast. Chiko didn't anticipate the kick and was slammed backwards unto a wall. There was mutual groan from the audience but Chiko shook his head and moved forward again his face set with determination to win. He leapt high in the air and used a blast of air to vault him over at Yomi feet first, and used another gale at Yomi like a hammer. Yomi ducked and rolled away as Chiko landed behind him. Yomi took the opportunity to focus behind his spine.
"Excellent! You have improved so much. And I also see that you have been taking a page out of Mao's book on how to maximize force at your opponent." Yomi praised as Chiko tried to get behind him, but suddenly he vaulted over Yomi and as he landed on his right leg he kicked with his left and pushed Yomi forward, but master airbender whirled around and was facing Chiko again. "You are also thinking quickly too, that's good…now how are you going to get me out of the ring?" Chiko frowned at Yomi's question. Tried to think of a way to beat him, so far it seems that Yomi has an advantage with skill but Chiko also knew that Yomi was poor with ambushes. If only he could sneak up behind him. Chiko then noticed that the ground was sandy then the plan formed in his brain. Chiko watched Yomi noting behind him was a low rafter. He widened his stance and then used a gust of air he brought up a cloud of sand and with a breath of wind he sent it at a very surprise Yomi.
Yomi blinked and looked around. He couldn't see anything, what was Chiko planning now? Then he heard something just as he was to turn around he felt a powerful blast of wind at his stomach. He was thrown backwards and out of the ring as Chiko cleared the cloud of sand. Yomi groaned in pain as Kirana ran to help him. Both Mao and Arjuna clapped as Chiko walked over to help Yomi as well. Yomi stood on his own waved Kirana aside.
"I'm fine; I just got the wind knocked out of me. I forgot that Chiko has some really strong kicks." Kirana didn't look at ease.
"He really could have hurt you! What were you two thinking? I though airbenders solved problems with diplomacy not with fists?" Mao got cold cloth and handed it to Yomi.
"So? That doesn't mean we don't like to spar once in a while. And I have to say Chiko totally surprised you Yo-brother." Chiko was also concerned.
"I didn't hurt you too b-b-bad, did I?" Yomi was smiling and he shook his head.
"No I'm fine. But you really impressed me today bird. Not only did you beat me but you used my weakness against me and found other ways to use your air bending for something other than an attack." Chiko watched as everyone headed back to the main house, Perak however stopped for a moment and too look at Chiko before following his parents. Kirana was still with him looking worried and almost irritated.
"I still think boys should find better ways to get something out of their system without beating each other up." She said crossly as she finally got up to leave. "I assume Yomi will be taken care off?" Mao waved her off.
"Yeah yeah, it's over now. He'll be fine." Kirana huffed and finally left leaving the trio alone to head back to their apartment. "Man does she have it bad for you Yomi. Anyway did you go easy on him? Because I was sure you were going to use his missing arm as a way to beat him." Chiko looked annoyed at Mao but realized that Yomi had many opportunities to win. But as they finally reached the house did Yomi laugh and took a drink of water.
"I was, kind of. My plan was to gage Chiko on what he needs to improve and what he excelled at." Chiko looked a little disappointed but then realized that Yomi wasn't trying to win but teaching him, which sat with him better that Yomi just going easy on him. "I think regular sessions in yoga and sparring will help Chiko with his boredom and pent up energy. More sessions like tonight and Chiko would out master us in a few weeks." Now that was boost to Chiko's ego he broke into big grin as he took the cup from Yomi and took a drink himself.
"Really? Y-y-y-y-you think so?" Chiko asked with pride. Yomi ruffled his hair.
"Yeah if you keep doing what you did tonight, I am sure of it. But for us to spar with you, must control your temper and words. Sparring is a privilege and you will lose if you act out and blow up again like you did tonight at Perak and this afternoon at Kirana. Now I want you to wash up and do some mediation before bed I'm going to wash too. Chiko sighed and took a rag and some soap with him. At least now he wasn't going to be bored at the estate.
The slosh of water hitting his bare back was heard has he was in the bath-house washing off the sweat and grime from the fight. He heard footsteps thinking it was Mao or Yomi but instead it was Perak who ended the building. He couldn't see Chiko for he was behind a bamboo partition washing on stool. But Perak noticed a silhouette.
"Oh it's you…I was looking for my Baba. Have you seen him?" Asked Perak creeping near the partition, Chiko sighed and shook his head as he dumped the last bucket of warm water so he could rinse off the soap.
"Ch-ch-cha…cha…check the sitting room." Advised Chiko standing up, he noticed Perak hesitating for a moment before speaking again.
"Ok…I will. Ummm, I'm sorry for being so rude. Mama and Baba and uncle Ijo said it's not good to be so upfront with people." Chiko finally was dressed enough so he stepped out of the partition. He was shirtless which made Perak gasp a bit, however Chiko took his hand.
"Let's just find your-your-your-your fa-fa-father."
Returning to the apartment Chiko notice it was now dark and Mao and Yomi were smoking outside watching the fireflies. Yomi turned his head to him and took out his pipe.
"Oh bird you're back. Bath took longer than I thought." Chiko sat next to him and reached for the pipe.
"I had to help p-p-p-p-p-Perak." Yomi looked at Chiko suspiciously before grinning and letting him smoke.
"It's Arjuna's, it might be too strong for you." He warned before Chiko took a huge drag before pulling it out of his mouth to cough and gasp. Mao started laughing and Yomi took the pipe back shaking his head. "I warned you Chi-bird." Chiko coughed again before glaring at Yomi.
"Yeah yeah" he said coughing with a face. Mao took another puff of the pipe before blowing out smoke rings.
"I was talking to Arjuna and he invited us to come with him Sentosa and Ijo. They want us to join them at a spa on the outskirts of Gaoling. Just uh, guys only." said Mao leaning in his chair, Yomi nodded before empting out the ash.
"Yeah he says that we would both enjoy it." Chiko thought about an actual bath, soaking in nice hot soup of bath salts and soap. Not just a quick scrub with bucket of hot water and bristle hair brush.
"Sounds p-p-p-p-p-pretty good actually, I th-th…think it's been a long wh…wh…while since we-we-we-we-we had a n-n-n-ni-nice hot soak. We've been ta-ta-ta-taking cat-ba-ba-baths not real ones." Chiko said, pausing to speak clearly. He recalled the memory of find a hot spring one night years ago. The memory brought a smile to his face as leaned on the hard wood of the apartment and closed his eyes. The warm smell of summer wafted to him on a breeze along with the tobacco smoke. He felt a sense of warm peace as he lingered a bit on the stoop of the small house. Yomi got up and finally dumped all the ash out. He turned to leave to go inside, but not before he ruffled Chiko's hair. Mao was still present at the stoop but no longer smoking his eyes looked unfocused and soft. He was remembering something or…someone. Chiko had to ask,
"Copper P-p-p-piece for your th-th-th…thoughts?" asked Chiko, Mao turned his head at his little brother's question. His brow furrowed and looked pensive but not upset. Slowly he responded to the question.
"I'm thinking about someone Chi…someone from the temple." Chiko curiosity was piqued as he asked who it was. Mao was silent again and now looked sorrowed. He inhaled again before exhaling a cloud smoke. "Zigsa." He responded and could not hide the sadness in his voice. Chiko bit his lip and apologized. It became now an unspoken rule never to talk about lovers that died in the massacre. Yomi never spoke of Nami, and Mao never talked about Zigsa. Mao got up and dumped out his ash and helped Chiko up. For a moment Mao just looked at Chiko, before slow smile grew on his lips.
"No time for getting wistful, eh Chi?." Mao said his voice a whisper a note of regret lingered on it. Chiko felt a sense of awkwardness but swallowed it before going inside.
"C'mon Mao-brother. We-we-we-we-we should sleep."
()()()()()()()()()()
Chiko was awake as dawn started to peak around the edges of the horizon. He already got up just as Yomi did.
"Oh I was going to wake you?" He said surprised as Chiko got on his hanfu and trousers.
"I cou-cou-couldn't sleep Yomi." He said yawning at the end. Yomi was worried about this but didn't argue.
"Alright we'll start with the 'Sun Salutation" before breakfast." Yomi said quietly trying to rouse Mao gently. Mao growled almost cat-like as he rolled over bleary eyed at Yomi.
"Oh right…morning asanas." Grumbled Mao as he rubbed his hands up and down his face, he finally got up and followed Chiko and Yomi to the garden facing east.
"Alright we will start with Surya Namaskara, 'Sun Saluation' everyone go into Mountain pose with an inhale." Yomi guided to his brothers as they got into the basic yoga pose before going into the next one. Chiko was having no problem going to 'Mountain' then 'Arms-up' pose and into the 'Hands-to-feet' pose. Following Yomi's words as he guided his brothers but as he was getting to the poses that would need two hands, Chiko started to feel discouraged. He had to start over twice as he lost his balance and fell over. Yomi got up from his pose and walked over to help Chiko who was struggling to get into 'down-dog' pose.
"Let me be your support so you can move into the other asanas." Yomi said calmly ready to reach under to help Chiko, but he was waved away as Chiko wanted to do the yoga poses alone.
"It's Da-da-da…down dog Yomi, I c-c-c-can do it." Chiko said exhaling as he arched his back up and has hand supporting him while he stretched his legs back. Yomi very gently laid a hand under him to steady Chiko as he move into the next pose. Grumbling, finish that set of poses before standing up again at the start pose, he turned to glare at Yomi as he started over again.
"Can you at least g-g-g-g-give me a little fa-fa-fa…faith that I can g-g-get this set r-r-right?" Yomi wanted to argue but held his tongue as he stepped away letting Chiko go through each of the poses again without assistance. It was after the fourth run-through and several more spills that Chiko could do the entire series cleanly and with one arm. Yomi stood back impressed as Chiko flowed through each of the asanas exhaling as he got back into mountain pose. By now the sun was rising and the warm glow of morning as upon the boys as they continued the morning routine of poses. Finally after an hour long series, Yomi got into the lotus pose, relaxed, yet charged for the day.
"Now let's try to cool down with a nice lon-Chiko! Where are you going! We have to meditate." Chiko was headed into main house with Mao getting up to follow him. Chiko turned around with smile on his face.
"Me-me-me…med…meditate later! I'm having Br-br-br-breakfast!" Mao patted Yomi on the back has he followed Chiko.
"Yeah, c'mon, I'm totally starved after doing morning asanas." Yomi started to protest on the fact that one should detached one's earthly needs to achieve peace, when his stomach growled loudly. Yomi rubbed his face as he got up,
"Coming…"
The warmth of the morning sun was rather nourishing for Yomi as sat facing it as he ate a few rice crackers and some fresh bread. Chiko was in the plum tree with Mao enjoying a bit of the early morning peace before the rest of the family woke up. Chiko sighed as he listened to the birdcalls he watched Yomi before he got up again to weed the garden.
"Bird, go back into the kitchen to see what Padma wants from you today." Chiko rolled his eyes as he got out of the tree and wandered into the warm kitchen but Bethari and her family was there.
"Oh good morning, you're…um…Chitori, no Chi Cao, no not that." Bethari tried to figure out his name and Chiko looked at her dumbly before he stated.
"Chiko. It's Ch-chiko." Bethari clapped her hands at the realization and stirred her tea. Sentosa waved at Chiko from his news scroll and Perak grumbled a good morning. "Have you seen P-p-p-p-p-padma?" Sentosa asked looking around, Bethani made a noise noting yes and said to him,
"Oh yes Mom is with Pops in the training ring, Pops is doing some morning exercises with Ijo." She took another noisy slurp as Sentosa continued to read. Chiko took another honey-roll and headed out to find Padma for his morning chores. Bethari watched him leave chuckling to herself.
"He's rather awkward looking isn't he dear?" Sentosa chuckled,
"Now dear set a good example for Perak."
Chiko found the training ring with Arjuna and Ijo practicing Padma was observing when he saw Chiko and waved him over. Chiko crossed over and waved back, Chiko leaned over the fence and watch Ijo and Arjuna spar, fascinated by the techniques that Ijo was using
"I want you to go back to Guan Feng Square to go get some things for supper." Padma instructed as she handed him a basket and a list. "Be back before the tenth gong ring before noon." Chiko nodded as he headed out of the estate passing Yomi who started to work in the garden.
Yomi just saw Chiko head out with the basket realizing that he was probably going out to do shopping for Padma, speaking of chores Yomi sighed and got back into weeding feeling the steady pace of routine sink into him. A feeling he was starting to get fond of. Stability was something the boys lacked and he was relishing it. Time trickled a bit, and Bethari came out with Perak and found a seat under the plum tree. She had a small book for Perak who read with little interest.
"So Mr. Yomi, Kirana says that you use to help tend a garden back at your temple is that true?" Yomi pulled out more ragweed and tossed it in the pile before wiping his brow.
"Yes, it was long time ago." He sounded distracted as he pulled up more weeds. His mind seemed elsewhere as he pulled and tossed the plants and trimmed the bushes. Bethari smiled as Yomi started to tend the herbs.
"You seem to have a natural knack for gardening; back in out estate our gardener was a bit sloppy..." Bethari regaled Yomi with stories of her deaf but rather good natured gardener. Yomi wasn't listening as he spied Kirana working in the kitchen with the maids, his mind drifting towards her than the conversation.
Kirana joined him later as the midday meridian crept close. Chiko wasn't back yet and Mao was nowhere to be seen. Kirana handed him the tray of food before she bowed and left leaving Yomi. Each day her he couldn't help but pleasantly surprised at her acts of kindness and the small conversations he had with her. It was reminding him of someone, Nami. It started out like this back in the temple. Offerings of food, help and company, and slowly the two wove themselves together. Looking back on it however; Yomi realized that Kirana was not like Nami. Nami was more engaging and spirited, Yomi ended up being more passive and reflective, now it was reversed. Instead of Yomi being in the quiet observer position, it was Kirana who watched and interacted briefly. Was she just shier or like Yomi, had been stung once and didn't want to get to close? Relationships were a lot like Pai Sho, making a daring move could win or lose the game.
"Didn't you hear me? I said 'do you like to cook?" Bethari asked as Perak whined about being bored. Yomi jerked his head up and nodded.
"I cook because I have to, but Mao is the chef of the trio." Yomi said distantly again as he got back to work, now thinking of making something for Kirana. Perhaps it was his move now. What should he do that would be daring? Ask her out? Or should it be a lot simpler. He heard a noise as the door closed at the entry of the main house. Bethari and Perak left leaving him to work. Yomi sighed as he looked over at bush of blooming peppermint roses. They get their name for the sharp, minty smell and red and white spiraled blossoms. It was in full bloom and the smell wafted to him. Yomi knew that he wouldn't get more heads unless he trimmed back. Smiling he started to cut some stems.
"Your sacrifice would be a wonderful gift."
()()()()()()()()()()
Kirana was in her own room looking over the dojo, Ijo and Sentosa were sparring again and she tried to see if Mao or Chiko we're anywhere around the area, Chiko probably was still in the market-place and Mao was pulling more pranks around the house. She sighed when the door knocked; she expected to be her father instead she got someone else.
"You may enter." She said promptly, as the door was pushed open she caught a minty-rosy smell and turned around with Yomi holding the roses. "Peppermint roses, they…they are my favorites, thank you Yomi for the pleasant gift." She walked over to her vanity and grabbed a tall stemmed glass and filled it with water from the pitcher. She placed the glass of flower on her window sill and turned back to Yomi looking shy. "Thank you so much, I've wanted to get a few of them before wilted this summer." Yomi smiled and scratched the back of his neck unsure of what his next move was.
"You have done so much for me…and my brothers, I just figured you would like me to pay you back." Kirana lifted one of her eyebrows and laughed.
"You don't have to do that Yomi, I do those things because…because I want to." She offered Yomi a seat and closed the door. "We've been dancing around each other for the last couple weeks, we've both have been affectionate and kind but I want to know if there is a motive for it? I know that sounds mean, after your kindness but, I've been lied to before-" Yomi cut her off,
"I don't have a motive Kirana; you're not the only one burned by love. I genuinely have feelings for you, I just…tend to be a bit clumsy about them and I don't know if I come off too strong." Kirana bit her lip realizing she might be over reacting and over-reading Yomi's actions.
"I'm sorry, I know your feelings are genuine, that was wrong of me to suggest you have a motive. Maybe I'm just lonely, I am normally not as…generous as I am with other men. My last suitor said some very unkind things behind my back. I don't want a repeat of that. But somehow I know you're better than that." There was a pause and look of tentative curiousity bloomed on her face. She asked hesitantly to Yomi. "Can you…tell me what happened to you?"
Yomi bit his lower lip wondering if he should just be flat and clear with her instead of making something up or down play it. He realize if he doesn't start being honest, he will never will be. Carefully he replied to her.
"My wife and unborn child were murdered." He said with sadness eyes at the teak-wood floor and not at her face. Kirana gasped and covered her mouth.
"Oh dear gods Yomi, I am so sorry, that's horrible. I can see why you have been so reluctant...I don't know what else to say." She turned turn to the roses and played with the minty petals. Silence came between them as she stroked the silky leaves with her fingers. Then she spoke,
"Yomi, I really do like you and I appreciate your openness, I can't imagine the hurt you went through. I wish I could help or something." Yomi sighed and got up from her seat and laid his calloused hands on her shoulders, "Kira, you don't have to be apologetic, Nami's death was four years ago. I've learn that dwelling on it makes the pain stay."
"Makes the pain stay? Do you think about her a lot then Yomi?" Yomi's face made a variety of expressions some were sad others seem pensive and thoughtful.
"Yes…I try to think about her and not the situation, when I recall it I feel the sting of guilt and my mind are flooded with 'what ifs' and 'I wishes' I dwelled too much the pain of it that I've forgotten the joy that her memory brings. I wish to dwell on the joy than the pain." Kirana was silent but a gentle smile was on her lips. The naked gesture of Yomi admitting this to her made her feel honored, that he trusted her enough to tell what happened. Still she felt a bit awkward and wonder what she should do, saying anything felt stupid. However she moved in and held him in her arms. An act of real empathy and tenderness, while she never would understand the loss of a wife and child, she did understand loss and feelings of guilt. Yomi returned the hug, surprised at first but grateful, that she didn't try to verbally comfort him. Oddly, it seemed that telling her about Nami moved a stone from his heart. Something that was blocking him, he felt a bit relieved letting that part go. Whatever feelings of insecurity or doubt he had, floated away with the smell of peppermint roses.
"Thank you Yomi for the flowers but I have something to attend you should join Mao and Chiko, father should be leaving soon." Yomi smiled softly and pulled away to leave. Kirana watched him as he did. Alone she looked back at the flowers and touched them lightly.
"I've never felt the pain of real loss before…So I'll never understand it. Or him."
()()()()()()()()
The warm sunlight flickered down from the tops of the trees as Chiko waited in the same spot where he first met Yun, sighing he realized that she wouldn't show. Frowning disappointed, Chiko picked up his basket and headed back down to the estate.
"Oh good, you brought the turkey goose!" Padma exclaimed taking the cage with the bird inside. "Yomi and Mao are waiting for you Chiko you better skedaddle and join your brothers." Chiko nodded and headed down the dusty lane to the front gate to see Mao and Yomi waiting for him. Will all the men accounted for the six headed down to 'Shining Hands spa' for a little bonding time.
The spa had a wet, warm smell to it as Chiko stepped foot in the building, Arjuna requested bath tokens and passed them too all the other men as Chiko panned his eyes at the walls looking at all the wood block paintings and watching women in long bath robes walk by.
"Ijo, Sentosa and I are going to be in the West hall baths, soaking, Yomi, Mao and you, Chiko are going to take the North hall baths we will meet late in the south halls for lunch and hopefully later we can all have late afternoon swim. Sound good?" The brothers nodded and split off as they walked into a room with tall closets with locks on them. Blinking, Yomi peeled off his clothes and folded them neatly in the closet and grabbed the fresh towels and wrapped one around his waist. Mao did the same as well as Chiko. Walking down the hall Chiko wrinkled his nose as passing nude men, finally the three found an empty tub, Yomi inserted one of the bath tokens and noted a long cord on the wall as did Mao who took it and pulled it down releasing a chute and hot water scented with vanilla and lemongrass. Mao blinked curiously at the delivery and took off his towel.
"Thank the gods for modern ingenuity." He proclaimed as he walked in and winced at the heat. Yomi joined him and Chiko who took his time with the heat before he got down to his knees.
"Oooooh man this is-is-is-isn't half-bad." Chiko declared sinking into the hot bath. The three stewed in tub, letting the stress melt off of them. Chiko on the other hand didn't want to stay too long with his older brothers, part of him wanted to explore the other parts of the bath house and experience the rest of the bath house without the eyes of this brothers watching him. Yomi and Mao chatted over Kirana and Arjuna, discussing Yomi's relationship with her and Mao's thoughts on Arjuna, Chiko was alone with his own thoughts as Mao and Yomi talked.
"Look, I know you have infatuation with Kirana, why not persue it? I mean it will give you something to look forward to Yo-Brother."
"Because Mao, it's not that simple, yes I like Kirana and I know that she likes me, but. I am not ready to commit, not now at least."
"Yomi, if you hold yourself back because of your grief for Nami, you'll never heal. Just have one night with her. Go from there, now changing topic, I don't know how I feel about Arjuna. I wonder what kind of plan he has for us."
"No idea, I am assuming its retrieval or something like that, something that relies on speed no doubt." Yomi stopped talking and noticed that one of his bath tokens was gone and Chiko was missing. He looked around the room and realized that Chiko left the room.
"Huh I wonder where bird went."
Chiko found the outdoor hot springs and made himself comfortable among the reeds and plans that helped purify the warm water.
"Finally, a place by myself." Chiko said with a sigh floating around the pool. He thought he was alone, but then heard talking through the bamboo wall.
"-Glad you got this spot to yourself Musaki, Yuja! Kaalo! Over here." said a gruff male voice on the other side of the bamboo divide; in curiosity, Chiko leaned and tried to listen to the conversation next to him.
"Yes, I must admit, privacy is a rare commodity in a public bathhouse Aydin, at least the sake is good. So what are the objectives Aydin?" said a smooth deep male voice. Aydin the gruff male chuckled as younger male voice spoke.
"They are simple. Kidnap the Bei Fong girl and get the mayor to surrender the city to your men." Aydin chuckled again.
"There you go Musaki, the swamp shaman explained everything." There was another laugh, a cocky sound voice spoke.
"Lord Bei Fong won't know what hit him; he had me as his daughter's bodyguard for ages. It will be easy to take Yun Xing without any effort." Musaki laughed quietly amused at the situation
"Well done Yuja, Kaalo the shaman has scoped out the area and my army would be arriving in the harbor at Midnight. Everything will go down smoothly."
Chiko frowned and as he pulled away from the bamboo, his heart was pounding in his chest as he heard the conversation. Gaoling was going be under siege he had to warn Lord Bei Fong and Yun Xing. He got up out of the water and headed towards the door when the young male voice, Kaalo he was assuming got up too with a noisy sound of displaced water.
"I'll be heading to the latrines." He said as Chiko opened the door and meeting eye to eye with Kaalo. His tan skin and blue eyes and long braided hair made him look much meeker and gentle that Chiko would have imagined. He also looked to be around his age. Chiko took a step back as his heart beat like a drum in his chest. The shaman had tattoos and ritual scars on his body; they gleamed with moisture as they stood in dead lock. Kaalo smiled slowly as bent a stream of water. In a low but calm voice he said:
"I am not fond of ease droppers," and turned the stream into an ice spear and thrust it at Chiko who evaded before turning and ran down the halls his towel sliding off his bony hips. He heard the smash of ice as he turned the corners, Kaalo was close behind. Chiko did leap over a wall into an empty bathroom out of Kaalo's eyesight. He remained still as he listened for Kaalo. He heard some grumbling from him but nothing that gave away that he was looking for him. After few moments, he heard Kaalo sigh in frustration and turn down the halls. Slowly his footsteps grew quiet; and now feeling wave a dread, Chiko exited the bathroom and with a bit of airbending silently ran down to Mao's and Yomi's bath. He had to warn someone.
AN: Did some editing, it's decent enough for public viewing still need a beta…oh look moar plot.