Chapter Thirty Seven

Danger Prone

Meditating, hmm?

A few days later, I had once again set out with Aang to explore the Temple (which was, mind you, huge), and, once again, Aang found himself wandering back to the Air Sanctuary to meditate, saying that he needed clear his mind. I had simply nodded and set back on my usual trek back to the camp.

The single thought of meditating struck me just as I passed the larger-than-life statues of the nuns. I paused, looking out over the darkened canyon, the chirps of crickets and the distant roars of bullfrogs setting the surroundings into a serene sort of environment.

I walked over to the edge near the cliff and settled down, crossing my legs underneath of me.

Um…how do you meditate? I asked myself, feeling downright foolish.

Straightening my back, I closed my eyes.

Clear your mind.

Is Olin okay? I wonder if he's sleeping…

Clear your mind.

Aang looked really cute today playing with Momo…

Clear your mind…

I need to work on that airbending move…

Come on, Vinca!

Palms together at the end near the wrist, scoop downward and out…

Focus.

Clear your mind.

I let out a growl, falling back on my back in anger. How hard was it to meditate? I couldn't clear my mind if it was to save my life! My brows came together in frustration, my breathing coming out heavily. How did Aang do it?

I stuck out my tongue, trying to remember what Aang had said…

"Meditating will make you a better airbender."

But it's hard. Much harder than I had originally thought. I sighed.

I drummed my fingers against the ground, still laying on my back. I gazed up at the ceiling, which seemed to go on forever.

A flash of black moved from the corner of my eye, and I rolled my head that way. Of course, nothing was there, but I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched.

"Hey, Vinca! Wait up!" The next day, Teo's voice caught my attention as I was walking to my spot where I had meditated yesterday to try and clear my mind again. I turned, seeing Teo roll up quickly beside me.

I smiled lightly, "Hi, Teo. How are you?" I asked, ceasing to walk. His hands were behind his wheelchair and he looked like he was hiding something by the broad smile on his face.

"I'm fine, thank you." He then looked skittish, "Well, I know that you're an airbender and all…and no airbender is complete without a glider, right?"

I shrugged, slightly confused, "I guess not, why?" I blinked. His smile grew as his hands whipped out from behind him, a long staff placed in his hands. I stared at it. It was like Aang's glider. A glider? "Is that-?"

Teo beamed, nodding, "Yep! Do you like it?"

"Teo…I love it!" I exclaimed in glee, taking the staff in my hand. I ran my fingers along its spine, feelings its smooth, perfected wood. I mimicked Aang's action of flicking it open, and marveled at how swiftly it did so. The wings were a yellow color.

"There was some yellow fabric here." Teo explained.

"I…I…thank you, so much!" I hugged him, which took him completely off guard. A hint of pink tinted his cheeks. "How can I ever repay you?" I asked.

Teo smiled, "It's a gift. You don't have to repay me."

"But-" I began to protest. This was certainly the best gift I've ever received.

He shook his head, "No, don't. I gotta go. Have fun!" And with a grin he was rolling away.

I stared after him, a smile lining my lips as I turned to the left, where the ground suddenly stopped and dropped down.

With a determined nod, I ran and sprang off the edge.

If this was heaven, I would die right now.

A gleeful laugh escaped my lips as I swerved right, riding on the air currents.

Every thing about this was what I have dreamed of; the wind in your face, the ease of it all, not worrying about anything. It was, simply put, amazing.

I dipped into a loop, switching to another air current and riding it up to where the camp was. I had been flying for hours, and my throat was dry without water.

Closing my glider, I set it down against a wall, stretching. My back was sore from being in the same position for so long. My eyes flickered around the camp, resting near the fountain, where Olin was sitting. I looked at him in surprise.

Olin saw me staring at him, "Hey, sis!" He called, waving me over. I sat down next to him.

"You must be feeling better?" I asked as I sat down on the edge of the fountain next to him. His brown hair was ruffled and hanging down slightly over his eyes, and a little bit of scruff lined his face.

He nodded, "Yeah. Katara won't let me walk yet, but I can sit upright and stuff." He explained, motioning towards his abdomen, where the gash was.

"How is it?" I inquired, my forehead creasing in concern. I hope it wasn't infected; my stab wound hurt like hell when it was.

"It's fine," And, as if reading my thoughts, he said, "It's not infected." He pulled up his shirt, which was a light blue. Sokka had let him borrow it after Olin's shirt was destroyed. A bandage was wrapped tightly around his stomach where the cut was, "Katara wrapped it. She heals it three times a day to make sure no infection gets in." He dropped his shirt.

I dipped my hand absentmindedly into the fountain. The water was cool and refreshing. "Oh, that's good." I commented, drawing my hand out, "Katara is a good healer."

Olin nodded again in agreement, "She is." There was a moments pause, "So, I heard that you've been danger prone just like I said you are."

"What?" I glanced up in surprise, not sure what he was talking about.

"The pirates?"

I rolled my eyes, "That was nothing-"

"You've got to be careful."

"I am careful."

"You're going to crash that glider thing."

"No I'm not."

"I really don't want to see you dead…"

"You won't." I sighed, drawing my eyes up to my brother's face. He looked uncomfortable, his face strained. His fingers flitted to his wound. "Is it hurting?"

He nodded slightly, exhaling a tiny breath, "Y-Yeah, its fine, though. It just stings sometimes."

I bit my lower lip, pushing strands of hair out of my face. "Why don't you lie down? I'll go get Katara." I suggested, moving to my feet.

My older brother seemed to consider this for a few seconds. "Okay." He finally said, and I helped him down to the sleeping bag which was hidden in the shade. Olin let out a relaxed sigh once his body hit the soft blankets. "Ah."

I smiled to myself, patting his head. "I'll go get Katara."

After fetching my waterbending friend for my brother, I set off again on my glider.

"Do you think I'll ever get my arrows?" I asked, my voice soft as I held his hand in mine, observing the blue arrow on his arm. I traced the tattoo, drawing a light laugh from Aang. "What?" I murmured, dropping his arm and facing him.

We were sitting in a gazebo, which was surrounded by an overgrown garden. Flowers of all sorts swayed majestically in the breeze, their delicious aromas tickling my nose. The sun was high in the sky, the temperature warm.

"That tickles," He smiled, rubbing the arm that I was holding, brushing away the goose bumps. "And I'm sure you'll get your arrows. You're a great airbender."

I closed my eyes, trying to picture myself with the airbending arrows. I frowned, pushing away the picture. That was in the future. And, that would never happen if we lost this war. I sighed, changing the subject, "How has your meditating been going?"

Now, it was Aang's turn to frown. He fell back onto his back, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. "Not good. I've been trying to connect with my past lives…or go into the Avatar State. I haven't been able to since Ba Sing Se."

That certainly wasn't good. "I wonder why?" I pondered aloud.

"Chakras. I think I've blocked them." His voice was low and thoughtful, and otherwise filled with fatigue.

I let my eyes wander to out over the canyon, where the fog still lingered. "It's impossible for me to meditate. I just…can't." I said, more to myself.

"You'll get the hang of it," Aang chided, "It takes a lot of patience."

I sighed, "Something I don't have."

He chuckled, "It's different for you, I'm sure. I had the monks to help me, while you virtually have no one."

I nudged him playfully, "Well, aren't you a monk?"

"Yes, I suppose…"

"Monk Aang." I tested it out, laughing.

He laughed.

"I have you, though, Monk Aang." I said affectionately, a smile gracing my lips as I tucked a few pieces of hair behind my ear. My eyes rested back on him, and he had changed from laying on the ground back to his previous position of sitting next to me, his legs crossed.

"That is true," He smiled as well, a faint blush tinting his cheeks. Suddenly, he rose to his feet. "Close your eyes."

"What?"

"Close your eyes."

Raising my eyebrows and shooting him a suspicious, yet playful look, I obliged, closing my eyes tightly. I heard and felt a gust of wind, a sound of rustling, and yet another gale. I felt a presence in front of me and struggled not to open my eyes in curiosity.

Suddenly, I felt something soft and warm press against my lips, and my eyes fluttered open in surprise to see Aang in front of me, his closed eyes in front of me. He was kissing me, and I closed my eyes, pressing my lips back against his. Butterflies kicked wildly against my stomach, my head was swirling, I felt like I was spinning in circles. When he finally pulled away my lips tingled like they had been shocked.

"I…" I started, my voice breathy; my eyes were wide in surprise and my cheeks were hot.

Aang smiled shyly, his cheeks reddening as well. He then thrusted forward a single flower; a rose. It was in full bloom, its red petals swelling out grandly. This made me blush even more as I gingerly took the flower in my hands.

"Thank you," I murmured, looking down, not really sure what to say. When I lifted my eyes, Aang was grinning and holding our two gliders in his hands.

"Wanna go flying?"

"Sure."

"'Night Vinca, Sokka, Toph, Katara, Olin, Momo, Appa." Aang's cheerful yet tired voice rang out as everyone settled down in their sleeping bags. I smiled to myself, calling out a 'goodnight' in unison with the others.

I pulled the blanket up under my chin, closing my eyes. I wasn't really tired, though, and soon I grew restless. Sighing, I quietly removed the blanket, rising to my feet and tiptoeing away.

"Where are you going?" Someone hissed and I froze.

I then realized that it was only my brother. "Mediating." I whispered back, flashing him a smile.

He snorted before snuggling down under his blankets.

I considered bringing my staff but refused, knowing that I wouldn't need it. I then crept off into the night.

I found myself wandering back to the place that I had been attempting to meditate nights before, in front of the larger-than-life nun statues. I dropped onto the ground, crossing my legs under me. I exhaled slowly, my eyes fluttering shut.

Eventually, my mind cleared and I sat in serene silence, the only noise was from my breathing, the distant croaks of frogs, and the soft footsteps echoing against the stone walls.

Wait.

My eyes shot open and I flew to my feet, my hands rising into a fighting position. A yelp of surprise escaped my lips as the person - a man - was closer than I expected. I punched forward instinctively, forgetting about my airbending and just trying to throw a punch. The hooded guy ducked and grabbed my wrist, twisting at the scarred skin.

I gritted my teeth, kicking at him, and managed to catch a spot. He gasped in pain as my foot landed straight onto his shin. With a frustrated growl, he lunged forward, grabbing me by my waist. I stumbled backwards, somehow narrowly missing falling off the side of the cliff. I drew my other wrist around, collecting the air and shoving it straight at the man, causing him to fall back.

The man flipped on his feet, his motions growing more and more frustrated. He lurched forward with a fist that I easily dodged, rolling around so that is back was facing me. Breathing in, I sidestepped a kick and a punch, and then bent my element into a sphere which I shot at him, making him fly back.

"Oh? You want to play that way?" His voice sounded oddly familiar as he called out. He then sprinted forward, pausing only two yards away to force his two fists on fire.

My breath caught in my throat as I nearly got burned. "Who are you?" I yelled as I dodged another flaming punch. His attacks were growing stronger and stronger, and I was getting worn down by fatigue.

An inferno-foot suddenly came crashing down on my head, and with a yelp, I extinguished the flame with a gust of wind, only to be kicked on the head. I let out a woozy groan, and stumbled backwards onto my feet, my vision growing blurry. My eyes felt like they were rolling around in my head.

The hooded man came forward, bending down in front of me. "I'm sorry, I really am. This whole 'being good' thing is new to me." And with that, I retrieved into darkness.

AN: There you have it, folks! Chapter 37. I tried to make it longer; hopefully I did? I don't know. And sorry for leaving such a cliffy, but I'm pretty sure some of you know who Vinca's attacker is, just on how I'm currently following the episode sequence (kinda, you could say.) If you don't know who the attacker is, don't worry! He'll be unveiled very, very soon. But, you guys will have to wait a while.

As usual, thank you all for the reviews. And thank you for adding me to your favorite stories list, favorite authors list, story alert list, and author alert list. It means a lot. I appreciate each and every one of you for reading and following my story. It warms my heart and makes my day when I see that I've been added to someone's list or someone reviewed. Just a big thank you to all of you. :)