Hello, and welcome to the second chapter of Between the Earth and Sky! Let me just say, thank you so very very much for all of you who reviewed and read the first chapter(:
This chapter, meet some new OC-Rai, Mikah, and Sage, as they make their way to see some old friends.
Remember to read+review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Korra or Skoochy or Jinora or anyone else. Okay, except for my OCs. :)
Earth. Fire. Air. Water. 70 years ago, my grandfather, Avatar Aang, master of all four elements, ended the 100-year war against the Fire Nation. With help from Firelord Zuko he created Republic City, my home. According to my father, Republic City is at war. Amon, the Equalists, and the non-benders of our city have begun a rebellion against all benders. They think we have repressed them because of their inability to bend an element.
Avatar Aang has long since passed, but the new Avatar is here—Korra. She will find a way to bring light to the darkness. She has to.
...
As many times as she gazed out the window, looking out towards the City like Korra did, as many times as she forced herself to attend airbending training, as many times as she delved into the past through her novels, Jinora seemed to keep coming back to Skoochy and his odd kinks. Like his hat, or his smirk, or the way he ran off as soon as he figured out whom Jinora's father was.
Groaning inwardly, Jinora took her most recent book from her face and sat in her open windowsill in a way that her back leaned against one side and the soles of her feet were touching the other. She glimpsed over at Republic City, just a small glider ride away, and forced the idea out of her mind. The chances of Jinora seeing Skoochy again were slim—being saved by the earthbender last week was simply a small meeting that was never to happen again. And besides that, he'd never want to see her again anyways. Her father's status as a councilman for Republic City made sure of that.
There was a bang on the door to Jinora's room. She airbended herself up and set her leaf bookmark at the page where she had lost herself. "Who is it?"
The door opened a little and Jinora's very pregnant mother, Pema, peeked in. "Can the two of us come in?"
Jinora blew a stray strand of hair from her face and sat down. "Sure." For a well-read person, Jinora did not have a single word in her today. Strange.
Closing the door behind her, Pema stepped over to the bed and sat down on it, making it sink to accommodate for her excess weight. Jinora sat down next to her and affectionately rubbed her cheek against her mother's shoulder, something Jinora had only done to Pema when she was troubled.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Pema reached over and stroked the back of her eldest daughter's head.
"It's just…" Jinora let her voice falter when she realized she couldn't tell Pema about her secret trip to Republic City. Yes, her mother might understand, but would Tenzin, would her father accept what is once he found out she had stolen away to the most dangerous place in the world right now? Jinora sighed. She couldn't remember ever feeling this vulnerable, this helpless, this illiterate before.
Without asking questions, Pema dismissed the topic and began a new one. "So, I just came in to tell you that Mako and Bolin invited some old friends to come and see the island. I wanted to tell you so that when you see more kids running around, you don't freak out."
"Alright. Thank you."
Pema planted a kiss on Jinora's forehead, and rose to leave. Just before she left, her mother turned and quickly said, "It's not like we need more kids around here!" before running off somewhere else. Jinora had to grin at this. Mako and Bolin, the fabulous bending brothers, had grown up on the streets, staying alive and making friends wherever they could. That was what landed them a home in the pro-bending arena before it got blown to bits by Amon. That place wasn't important to really anyone anymore. The people they knew from the past consisted of mostly other kids living on the streets of Republic City, hiding in the shadows, surviving in any way possible. Like Skoochy.
The young airbender warmed at the thought. Who knew? Maybe the young pick-pocket was one of the people coming over in that ferry.
...
"Report?" Skoochy called to no one in particular. He removed his cap to toss his sweat-streaked hair, then replaced it. Still no answer from his small band of street urchins. Last he had checked, Rai had been tailing Skoochy to the alley, but now the boy was nowhere to be seen. "Report?" he called louder. The earthbender's voice vibrated through the so-called empty alley.
"Calm your stones, we're here!" Rai's voice called back. A moment after, the small boy appeared, his eyes kept solemnly on a wad of yuans he was counting. "Sorry I'm late, Skooch, but I got caught up in some loose pockets."
Just then Mikah ran into the alley, bumping into Rai as she did so. "They had me stay to finish some paperwork, so I got here as fast as I could. Sorry, Rai!" Mikah, older than Skoochy by at least a year and taller by a head, was shoving some extra cash into the front pocket of her sky blue shirt and readjusting the curve-tipped dagger tucked away at her hip. The dagger was with Mikah when Skoochy found her all those years ago; it was something she cherished greatly. Mikah stooped down to pick Rai off the floor.
Rai rubbed the top of his head. "Come on, Mikah! Can't you watch where you're going for once?"
Groaning, Skoochy rolled his eyes and hit his heel against the ground, causing Mikah and Rai to bounce up in the air. Mikah stifled a short yelp. "Did you here me? Where is Sage?" the only bender in the group repeated.
"Said she wasn't coming. Something about unfinished work." Mikah rolled her eyes.
"Sage just doesn't want him to see her in her state of—oof!" Rai got a perfectly aimed elbow to the ribcage. The little boy whipped around to yell at Mikah, one eyebrow shot up in the air. "What did I tell you about hitting me like that?"
The earthbender wanted to start shouting at his easily distracted gang. The only reason he had been appointed leader of his family was because he had been on the streets the longest, and Skoochy was the only bender. "Guys!" Both Rai and Mikah stopped their fussing and looked over. Skoochy pulled his hat down and gestured his team over with his chin. "Let's move."
Instantly Mikah crouched down, and vanished into the midday shadows. Rai jumped on top of a closed trashcan, and began to soundlessly vault from level to level. After watching the small boy lead the way, Skoochy heard an almost silent scuffle, like the sound of a spider-rat hiding in the corners, but the earthbender knew better. He knew it was Mikah, creeping her way towards the ferry waiting for them at the docks, ready to take them to see their old friends.
Skoochy walked out of the alley, keeping his eyes on the ground, with Rai's silhouette just in sight. He bumped into a man in green in the street. "Sorry, mister," the pick-pocket mumbled, and the man repeated the apology. As Skooch entered the next back alley, he pulled a small change purse from his pocket. "And thank you," the boy smiled to himself, and pocketed the few yuans inside.
As the earthbender kept walking, the brightly-lit ferry sat waiting at the docks. The large staff was blowing off smoke. The deep horn sounded, lighting Skoochy's eardrums on fire. The ship was too far away to make a noise that loud. "Mikah…" the earthbender boy started warningly. As usual, her uncanny ability to mock different sounds and people was spot on.
"Oh, come on, Skooch. Can't I have a little fun?" Mikah's voice sounded somewhere close, traveling in the shadows. Skoochy could imagine her smiling at him. "Where is Rai?" the boy asked the shadow-runner, but to anyone passing he seemed to be murmuring to the ground.
"Hold on." There was the sound of wind whistling past the earthbender, and he swore he felt her skim past his arm. Skoochy crossed two more busy streets and acquired four more wallets before Mikah returned. "He's almost there. Two blocks ahead and three more from there to the ferry."
The leader couldn't help grinning. "I guess we better hurry, then." And broke off into a sprint down the alley. Even during his streaking run, the young boy managed to get his hands in two more unsuspecting pockets, collecting the fare for the trip over to Air Temple Island as he went.
Mikah reappeared near him; Skoochy could tell by the change in atmosphere. "You got enough yuans?"
"Almost. I need six more yuans for Rai's fare. He can pass for under 5-years-old, right?"
"He won't like that, you know."
"Tell him that it'll save enough money for an extra dumpling on the way home."
"Alright." Her voice sounded unsure of Skoochy, but she didn't further question his decision. And then, just like that, Mikah was gone, like a sonic zap of light, leaving Skoochy alone for the remainder of his pick-pocketing sprint.
When the leader of his small group of urchins got to the ferry, Mikah looked picture perfect as always; Skoochy never really knew how she crept around like that, and wasn't sure he wanted to. Rai had his arms crossed and lip curled down in a glare. As soon as Skoochy was in earshot, Rai started, "I am not going to pretend to be a little kid just to save you more money."
"I told you he wasn't going to be happy with it." Mikah said with a roll of her wide aqua eyes.
"Listen—"
"Come on, Skooch! Do you know how much it hurts to know that you will always look like a five-year-old? I don't think you do!" Rai narrowed his eyes directly at Skoochy's chin; at the boy's height, that was all the non-bender's glare could reach.
Words were beginning to form in the back of Skoochy's mouth when Mikah added, "So what are you gonna do now, Skoochy? I mean, it's either this or that—"
"LISTEN UP!" immediately the earthbender cringed at his voice echoing through the City and out towards Air Temple Island, but he needed some order. He drew in a long breath and lowered his voice. "Now both of you are going to listen to me. I'll do the talking and I'll deal with the money. You just need to sit tight and act pretty, got it?"
For a moment both Mikah and Rai just stood there, astounded. The small boy's eyes were wide, and Mikah looked bored while twirling her chestnut hair around and around. Finally, Rai managed a nod. "Good." Skoochy nodded back, and took the lead towards the ferry. He paid the man at the fare booth his money, and made sure to stress that Rai was old enough to pay full fare for the ride over to Air Temple Island.
Finally, the small trio entered the ferry and holed up in the stern of the ferry.
"I cannot believe you sided with him." Mikah didn't say anything for the rest of the trip over to see Mako and Bolin. She just sat with her legs and arms crossed, her back firm against the side of the ship. The girl with the dagger kept glancing back at Republic City, different emotions displaying themselves upon her face, the owner of the face unknowing of it. But Skoochy noticed, and made a note to keep an eye on Mikah.
Rai didn't say anything either. He just stuck his head out to feel the wind run through his grimy hair. Soon, with his cheek rested against the side of the boat, Rai closed his eyes and fell into a light sleep.
As the ferry rocked on and Republic City became smaller and Air Temple Island became larger, Skoochy couldn't help but find nostalgia hiding in the crevices of the old ferry he was in. The sea smelled so familiar, the rocking so comforting…no. Skoochy refused to go back to that time. He had to stay strong, for his new family. The old one he used to have was long gone. Skoochy knew that. He let his head fall back, in hopes to see something to take his mind off the past. That was when he saw three orange and yellow blobs dancing in the wind above him. The colors jump-started the earthbender's heart, and he stood in the boat to get a closer look. No…it couldn't be…
What an idiot! Skoochy mentally slapped himself in the face. Of course that Genie girl would be here—she was an airbender after all. Skoochy wasn't looking forward too much to seeing her. For all he knew, she could've figured out that her empty change purse was missing by now, or who he was from Bolin. He didn't need another unplanned run-in with the past; it was not just Jinora's father's status that made Skoochy flee the week before.
Mako and Bolin were waiting at the dock when the trio exited the ferry. "Mako!" Rai squealed, and ran to hug his brotherly figure. Rai only reached the firebender's mid-thigh.
"Nice to see you too, Rai." Mako responded with a small smile and a pat on the back.
"Hey, Bo." Mikah called from the top of the ramp leading from the ship. The sun was directly behind the girl, illuminating her chestnut hair, but Skoochy swore he saw her cheeks redden when Bolin, the earthbending brother of Mako, answered back, "Hey there, Mikah."
The older brother nodded at Skoochy as he pried Rai from his leg. "What new, Skoochy?"
The earthbender shrugged. "Not much business. That time of the year."
"You know, Amon being all 'I will take your bending and stuff' probably doesn't help." Bolin added out of the blue.
There was a silence before Mako managed to release himself from his new growth and said, "I think its time to take you three on the grand tour of Air Temple Island."
"Are you going to show us around?" Rai asked as he latched himself back onto Mako's leg.
Instantly the firebender began to try and shake off the young boy. "Get off!"
"Nope." Bolin appeared behind Skoochy, with Mikah trailing not far behind. "But I bet Jinora could."
The other earthbender's eyes widened. He cleared his throat and reached over to scratch the back of his neck. "Um, is there someone else who could show us around?"
But Skoochy's awkward question was lost because just then a small bald airbending boy fell from the sky and sent a gust of air at Rai. Rai was peeled off of Mako's leg and tumbled on his back on the pier.
Meelo, the airbending boy, made his landing on Mako's shoulder and peered down at Rai, his face skewed into a frown. "This is my firebender. Get your own!" he shouted at Rai, and sent another gust of wind at Rai's face.
"Watch it, pipsqueak!" Rai retorted, leapt into the air and floated down on Mako's other shoulder, and clenched his hands into fists.
"Whoa! Whoa, you guys." Mako pushed off both small boys from his shoulders. "Come on, there's enough firebender to go around."
"There better be." Just then, a vaguely familiar and very beautiful face came into the picture, and laced her fingers with Mako's.
The firebender grinned at her. "Oh, and this is Asami. Asami Sato."
Something clicked in Skoochy. "You mean the rich girl?" His fingers itched to pick her pocket for some reason. With Mako present, he couldn't. The firebender never really approved of Skoochy's occupation.
"And Mako's girlfriend." Bolin added as he walked past the reunion, and headed for the rest of the island. Mikah, as usual, trailed behind him. Skoochy was never going to be able to 'borrow' from Asami Sato now.
"Come on, you two!" It was Mikah. "Hurry up! The tour's about to start." Rai followed the girl's orders and ran after the departing tour group. Skoochy pulled his cap over his features, wishing that he didn't have a run-in with the awkward Genie. But as he followed Bo and Mikah to one part of Air Temple Island, he thought he saw Jinora looking at him from above as she flew around in the open sky.
...
Jinora, from her perch above the tree line, frowned. Mako and Bolin's friends had been visiting for an hour or two, and she had still not been able to identify whether or not Skoochy was among the three tourists. Alright, so maybe Jinora did know that the earthbending boy was part of the group, but if she didn't talk to him, he wasn't there. The airbender lowered her below the trees and settled herself on a certain branch high up in a place where she thought no one could see her. The tree was a special place for her, for in the trunk was a knot that she held the books she was reading. At the moment Jinora's hiding place held Under Kyoshi Waters, a tale about the monster that used to live near the island.
The group, led by Asami and Mako, and Meelo, was just heading down Jinora's path. She watched them from above, holding her breath to ensure that no one would see her up there. No one looked up at the airbender as they passed her tree. And just when the young girl thought that she was safe, she heard a familiar voice quip,
"You can't hide from me up there. You should know better, Genie."
Jinora gasped and almost fell out of the tree. She looked down to see Skoochy smirking up at her. "How did you know I was up here?"
"I've got my ways." The boy replied, and looked down at his feet. Jinora felt a shiver run down her spine, a jolt of young love, something she hadn't experienced, so she didn't know what it was—yet. "So I haven't seen you around lately." Skoochy started.
"Well, as you can see, I don't exactly live in the area." The young airbender gestured to her island. She refused to come out of her tree just to be looked down upon, and injected a slight sarcasm in her voice.
The earthbending boy looped his thumbs into the button holes of his green vest. "Just to let you know, I'm still looking for that payment. You signed a contract that stated—"
"Contract?" Jinora interrupted, scoffing as she did so.
"—that if I were to ever save your life you owe me some sort of payment."
"And what, pray tell, is this so called payment?"
Still smirking, Skoochy started to pace around Jinora's tree, prowling around like a hunter waiting for his prey to come out of hiding.
"How about…I don't blast wind in your face and we call it a day?" Jinora made her weak attempt at a way out, but even so, her voice was firm.
"How about not." Skoochy stuck out his tongue. "Really, Genie, do you know anything about negotiation?"
That earned the pick-pocket a nicely planted blast of wind in the face. As he readjusted his hair and hat, from far above him the boy thought he heard Jinora giggle and say, "I tried to negotiate, but you wouldn't listen."
Despite how humiliated Skoochy felt, he couldn't help suppressing a smile.
Thank you for reading. Please review!