4. Aim

Jinora slammed the door behind her, and threw her book across the room, it knocked a small ornament from her shelf and she cussed it. "You are too young to be getting into anything too serious of a romantic nature right now. And don't try using your grandparents as an example of young love that actually worked!" Jinora scowled as she stomped towards her bed, she sat on the side, her thoughts circling, "You need to understand that sometimes, boy's intentions are different to what you may think…" She couldn't believe what her father was saying, of course, she still had limited knowledge on… "Making sure that you two keep distance between yourselves, will set an example for your siblings!" she wanted to know more about what her father was getting anxious about, the better my counter argument, the more likely I will succeed in conveying my point!

She stood abruptly and stomped towards her door, she pulled an oil-lamp from the wall outside her room and walked towards the library, she was going to find out what all the fuss was about when it came to young people and banned romances.

…

"Explain to me," the voice croaked nervously, he approached a peaceful looking spirit, "How will it work?" The spirit looked almost bored, it flipped up one of its pointed ears, cocking one half its feathered mono-brow and sighing audibly.

"You shot it at whomever you wish to have control over, and you then have it. It is virtually undetectable." It sighed, "Not much to it." The spirit was the self-appointed essence of disloyalty, getting a kick out of making people and fellow spirits act against the ones the love and have trust in.

It called itself, Bú Yi, and it had perfected a technique during its time in the spirit world that allowed itself to take over another spirit's conscious. When the physical and spiritual worlds were united, they assumed that many years of practise would be needed to be able to use this ability on humans. Yet, it took them less than four years to redevelop and perfect their technique to work on humans.

"I heard that when a spirit and human combine," the elderly man held the tiny spot of green-yellow light in his hand, "It can result in death, and that is not what our master wants."

The spirit froze, turning towards the quivering old male, "Our master?" they snarled, "I have no master… I am choosing to share my ability with your master simply for what he promised me. Yes, spirits living within humans can cause them to die, but that is not always the case, is it? The Avatar still lives, and Raava fused with Avatar Wan long ago, and again with Avatar Korra less than a decade ago. My technique is not permanent, but will sustain long enough for the pre-discussed plan to go through. It is for that reason that the carrier of the tiny bug," it glanced at the spot of light, "will not give the welder one hundred percent control over the carrier, not like if I were the controller, but they will have the impossibly strong ability to persuade. Of course, that is why I suggest threats, or pain… Even nightmares… Anything that will get them to do as you wish. It will be impossible to fight against the persuasion, and impossibly strong willpower to overcome it, I doubt even the Avatar could. Now, is that enough information for you? Will you insist on continuing to question me? Undermine my commitment? Anything else?"

"What is my master's end of the agreement?" the man asked, taking a step towards the door.

"Privileged information, my pathetic acquaintance. Now, get out."

…

There were books piled high around her, she had the lamp at her side as she flicked through scrolls and scanned the contents pages of thick books. She had started with the 'romance' section, hoping to find anything that would alarm a parent enough to set out ridiculous rules. She had been down in the library for almost an hour, her eyes were starting to flutter close, when she heard a noise. She looked up, there was only darkness beyond the reach of her lamp-light. She scanned more and more pages, looking for anything that may help her build an argument, her blinks were becoming sluggish. There was nothing she had found that she hadn't already known about, was it kissing? Sex? Any kind of intimacy? What is he so worried about?

It was when she saw a movement in the corner of her eye that she gasped, turning the light on them. Lin stood tall, an eyebrow cocked high as she took in the young master airbender before her, "What on earth are you doing down here alone, at this hour?"

"I-I was looking for… Something." Jinora said nervously. Lin pursed her lips and walked forward, squatting down besides Jinora, she reach forward and turned the cover of the book towards her, before lifting it closer, thinking she had misread it.

"In romance novels?" She asked, holding the book in her hand.

"Well, I…" Jinora was about to lie, but knew it was no good trying when it came to a Beifong, "My father has challenged me on a topic I have little information on…" she mumbled. "I wanted a well-structured counter argument." She finished, feeling embarrassed for being caught.

Lin raised her eyebrow again, "A counter argument won't do you much good. This is your father, he will stick by his decision until the end."

Jinora half smiled, "He said he'd never give me tattoos…"

"Touché." Lin said, her eyebrow still raised. "But I cannot imagine your parents being impressed with you reading romance novels, which are past your maturity and past midnight."

She knew Lin was right, besides the 'past maturity' bit, Jinora sighed, "I just needed to learn more about it. Books are sometimes the only place I can turn." I am very mature! I turn sixteen soon, that is older than a significant number of these characters...

"Well, how about turning to them during the day? I wouldn't feel good about you staying down here, and I would like to go to bed." Lin said, not wanting to sound harsh, and hoping Jinora didn't receive it that way. Instead, the young girl nodded, scooping up her lamp and placing the other books back on the shelf, she rubbed her eyes and walked forward, secretly concealing a book under her robe. Lin waited until Jinora had walked past her before quickly placing the book in her hand under her own robe.

It wasn't until the pair was approaching the stairs when Jinora spoke, "Chief Beifong, do you know anything about love?" she yawned slightly, Lin almost choked.

"I don't." she said seriously, I tried once, I don't think I will again. "I am not the person to ask." Perhaps about heartbreak.

Jinora felt awkward and dejected for asking, she decided to change the topic, they were almost at the top of the stairs, "Why are you tired? I thought you said you were in bed all day at dinner."

"Just because I was in bed, doesn't mean I was sleeping." Lin quickly said. Her eyes suddenly widened, she had forgotten she was talking to Jinora, concern tore through her at the thought of Jinora realizing what she had meant, like it matters, the girl is almost sixteen... But still...

"I guess so." Jinora replied sleepily, not fully-understanding the response in the haze of exhaustion, and Lin was slightly relieved. Jinora walked to her door and pushed through it, "Goodnight, Chief Beifong."

"Goodnight, Master Jinora." She said, she continued walking to her room. Lin watched Jinora walk into her room, making sure she wasn't sneaking back down. Lin pushed the door to her visitor's room open, she knew that her room was finally empty. She walked across and placed her metal cables on her bedside table, removing her robe. She pulled the book out from inside the robe as she approached the bed, her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she read the title, "The Metal Flame".

…

"The world is heading in a new direction…" The man spoke softly, his voice still managing to carry through the crowded chamber, "In my own opinion, there was a reason the Air Nomads almost died out. Survival of the fittest." There were a few murmurs, some surprised, some in agreement, the voice continued, "I think it is time, I take no grievance in the fact that the Nomads are trying to… Rebuild. But, it is creating nothing more than an inconvenience for our projects. So far, we have only one successful mine, our second was cancelled because of Mater Tenzin's air nomadic claim over the lands that surround the Northern Air Temple. And the Avatar's influence over the world council to remove the lands from us, was an unfair abuse of her power. All we need, is someone on the inside… Someone with power, a master perhaps." The room was quiet, the old man stood, walking forward, in his hand he held a delicate charm, spinning it on a string. He approached a man, "You are thinking against my plan… May I enquire, why?"

The man gulped, shit, he had known the master's ability to sense a person's mood and decipher a thought pattern, simply by looking at them, he had tried to stay hidden. "I-I, just cannot think of a way to convince an air nomad to, well, turn for us, m-master. Also, the land, we claimed it without asking… What makes you think they will ever return it?" The old man huffed a laugh, he let the pendent-like charm roll from his fingers and fall, catching the string as it swung like a pendulum before the frightened man's face, glowing a strange yellowy-green. To the master, the image was clear as day, a young woman, about sixteen years old, sleeping in her bed, sun peeping through her window. A book opened over her face, obviously she had fallen asleep reading, the candle by her bed burnt out. The spirit inside the locket projected the image to its new master, "They plans to rebuild the Northern Air Temple are scheduled for next year, if there is no Air Nation, there is no temple." The image swirled, "Everyone has their price." He smiled, the pendulum spun slowly revealing a young man, with messy brown hair and green eyes, smiling wickedly as he prepared a prank.

The man's smiled widened.

…

Kai was perched above a doorway, a huge clay jug of wine in his hands, waiting, patiently. He had a sly smile on his face while Meelo stood a few feet back, pretending to be playing with Poki, but really, watching for Bolin. It was when Meelo pretended to cough, that Kai stood, ready to bolt in a moment's notice, he heard Bolin laugh at something someone had said, Kai held the jug high above his head, he began to tip when, "KAI!"

Kai fumbled the jug out of shock as it slipped from his hands and landed over his own head, becoming slightly stuck, wine washed over his body, soaked his hair and face. The fright had also caused his to lose his footing, falling towards the ground, when whoooosh, Tenzin's gust of air caught him, only letting him plonk from an approximate foot to the solid, stone ground. Kai let out an 'oof' that echoed around the clay jar, somehow firmly stuck on his head, Kai stood up and tried to remove the jug, grunting with effort, it was definitely stuck tight. "Hold on, little bro!" Bolin laughed, rushing over to Kai's aid, not yet grasping the prank was aimed at him, "I didn't know you liked pottery… To me, it is just a way of kiln time!"

He had paused for a response from the people in the near vicinity. Opal and Korra looked between themselves and shrugged, Mako smacked his palm to his forehead. Meelo looked confused, "I don't get it!" he whined.

"A Kiln! What you bake pottery in! Killin'… Kiln… He has a clay jar on his-oh forget it! No one appreciates the effort put in to keep you people entertained!" Bolin stood behind Kai and tapped his fist on the clay pot, having it fall into two equal halves. Kai already had his expression of guilt, and embarrassment ready as it stretched into a large, awkward smile.

"For someone who seemed so repentant a day ago, you are very quick to return to being a nuisance." Tenzin said with a heavy tone of disapproval, "Or were the words you spoke to me lies?"

"No, sir…" Kai mumbled, rubbing his elbow awkwardly and avoiding Tenzin's gaze, "We-" Meelo had a momentary expression of terror, when he suddenly made kissing faces, Kai knew that he won this round, damn it… the threatened has become the threat… "I…" Kai continued with emphasis, Meelo smiled, "Just thought it would be funny, getting Bolin and all..."

"You were aiming for me?! Oh! Well… No harm done, Tenzin!" Bolin smiled, slapping Kai's back, "Just a bit of bro-v-bro pranking!" Tenzin's scowl intensified, he looked down at the ancient wine jug, now perfectly halved.

"Of course, they will make sure to avoid all airbender relics and anything breakable from now on!" Opal smiled, nudging Bolin slightly as he picked it up and sealed it back into one piece.

…

Jinora rolled over, the book fell from over her eyes to the floor, it made a loud slap sound that woke her with a start. She couldn't believe how high the sun was, peaking over the mountains that surrounded the temple, she leapt out of bed and rushed to grab some day clothes. How much time have I wasted? What if I don't get enough meditation in today? I will have to skip breakfast. She was rushing around frantically, almost running out of her room as she tried to pull the robe over her head, she tripped on something. She blasted a gust from her hand that caught her before she hit the ground, she half screamed in surprise at the fall. She pulled her head through the neck hole of the robe and looked around herself, trying to she was she fell over, I swear, if Rohan and Meelo are pulling pranks… Huh. Grapes? Green and burgundy grapes were scattered all over the floor, a small bowl was upturned and a note was poking from the bottom. She creased her brow in confusion as she plucked the note from under the bowl, she barely managed to read the words, "Grapes are my favourite food now." she felt her face heat up, as she brushed some hair behind her ear smiling as she checked the other side of the note, "See you at training."

Huh? What trai-… Uh-oh.

…

"I have chosen you two for the purpose of your comparative youth," the master turned slowly and looked at the two younger men, they were in their late thirties, "The others are not as fast, or have equal eyesight to you both." They glanced at each other, smiling smugly, they know they are important. The old man placed the small spirit in the first man's hand, a slingshot into the second's man's. "It is important that you hit the master Jinora, she is the one we need."

…

Jinora wasn't as late as she thought she was, she was relieved that the only person who seemed to notice her tardiness was Kai. He was smiling widely as she tried to finish shoving a handful of grapes into her mouth, he sneakily winked at her as they made eye-contact, blush broke out across her cheeks like a wildfire. Bumi raised an eyebrow at the sudden appearance of the blush and nudged Kai, knowing he was the source. "I-er, I am sorry everyone, I forgot breakfast." She smiled awkwardly, standing beside her father.

…

"We have one job…" the first man, Youi, mumbled. They were far away, trying to think of a way to approach. They had the girl in their sights, she was flipping and flying circles around a boy about her age, she was completely oblivious to how her life was about to change. "We need a clear shot… I think, as they are finishing their training for the day, the master always leaves last."

"Yes, but she isn't the only master there. The old man, he could cause a problem, if he sees his daughter being struck with the spirit." The second man was about to say something when, as if a sign, a person called the old master away. Leaving the young girl in plain sight, they waited, hoping he would stay away.

…

"Come on, master." Kai smiled, slipping down from a high tree branch as Jinora chased him, "If you can't catch me, oh masterful one! No one will!" he laughed loudly as he dived from the tree, flitting across the ground, Jinora leapt for him, chasing him easily in her arms, knocking him to the ground and laughing. A shadow stood over them, Tenzin did not look impressed.

"Master Jinora, what was the point of this exercise?" Tenzin rumbled, the acolytes and other airbenders chuckled quietly, their hands over their mouths.

"Umm, speed?" Jinora said quickly, leaping to her feet, she didn't sound sure in her response.

"Err, agility?" Kai stood up, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, "She caught me because I was slow…" He hoped his answer would stick, Tenzin pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing loudly. It was then an acolyte had finally reached the top of the mountain they were all practising on, perfect timing.

"Mas-ter Ten-zin…" he puffed loudly, holding his knees for support. "Rai-ko on rad-i-o." Another acolyte pushed forward from the group under the tree, he handed his friend a cup of cool water and patted his back while he drank thirstily. "He says-" he paused to drink more, "Important business." He sighed before collapsing onto his back, still holding the cup in his hand.

"Thank you, Min." Tenzin nodded, turning briefly to look again at Kai and Jinora, both standing with their hands behind their backs, smiling nervously, "I will be back for you two…"

They both sighed in relief as Tenzin pulled out his old glider and took to the skies, heading towards the temple. Kai nudged Jinora as she turned and addressed the students, "You have all done, um, really well! Perhaps on a windier day, we can have a go at flying with the implementation of more advanced evasive manoeuvres."

A few people raised an eyebrow, not catching the words she was using, Bumi looked around. "Wooh! Fancy flying tricks!" he cheered, everyone 'ooooh'ed and smiled. He had heard the phrase 'evasive manoeuvres' frequently in his military days. Jinora smiled at her uncle, mouthing the word 'thanks'. She bowed to everyone and watched as they returned a bow and left, only Kai stayed, waiting to have her alone.

"So! Slept in this morning?" he smiled, they he lazily strolling after the others, leaving a massive gap to ensure they were out of hearing range. "I was worried at breakfast, it was showing through the haze of my own tiredness." Kai wasn't a morning person, sometimes, people could spend a whole hour talking to him, and he wouldn't have caught a word. Opal jokes that he sleeps with his eyes opened, especially after an early morning flight that almost resulted in a grounded bison a few months ago.

"You were worried about me?" she smiled, pushing her hair behind her ear. She felt her cheeks redden, but didn't want to draw attention to the action by pulling her hair back across her face.

"You were always the first thing I saw in the morning that made me happy! It was for selfish reasons I was sorry you weren't about." He winked at her, she blushed a deeper red.

"So! Grapes?" she smiled, mimicking his tone from a few seconds ago.

"Yeah," he smiled, "Well, in the light of the sunset yesterday evening, the reddish-brownish-burgundy grapes matched your eyes… It was only this morning how crazy different I realised the colours were." He laughed the last part, "Still beautiful though! It is probably my favourite colour now, burgundy."

"The green grapes matched yours pretty well. Green has always been my favourite colour…" She smiled, "I-In the new book I am reading, they use colour comparisons all the time and heaps of visual imagery…"

He couldn't control the smile that was spread across his face, she spoke for a while about her new book, about the characters and writing techniques. He had no clue what any of it meant, but listening to her speak about something that was obviously so important, it made him happy just being involved. When she finished speaking, he still had his smile planted firmly on his face, but now, it slowly turned cunning, "So, you still think your 'speed' is greater than mine?" he smirked. They were still on the plateau of the mountain, about to begin the descent to the temple.

Jinora peered at him suspiciously, "Yes… Why-" He lunged for her, almost knocking her down, but something stuck him, he fell. She spun quickly while he lay on the ground, convulsing. Jinora stood frozen, she screamed out as he shook, "Kai? Kai?!"

She didn't know if he was playing with her, he had a cut from where his cheekbone had hit the ground, his eyes were closed tightly, as if fighting off pain. Jinora tried to hold him down, to stop the shaking, she had tears of panic streaming down her cheeks by this point. She had never felt horror like this, she screamed for help.

It wasn't long until the people closest to them had run back, after hearing Jinora's screams. People surrounded Kai, some took off at a great speed towards the temple in seek a medics. The convulsing got worse, before it stopped altogether, he opened his eyes and everyone jumped back in fright.

His eyes glowed a strange yellow, everyone paused, Jinora's eyes were wide, not believing what she was seeing. There was a wrong spiritual energy around them, Jinora felt the hairs on her arm stand on end.

The glowing faded as Kai's body slipped into unconsciousness.

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