Chapter 3: Distracted
Kai awoke at dawn with new determination, a kind of determination he hadn't felt in years. He knew it was all because of Jinore, she'd always made him feel like he could be better. Like he wasn't just a streetrat and a thief.
Some people didn't share that belief.
He found Tenzin medidating at the edge of the south balcony. He got closer than he thought he would before Tenzin turned around.
"Kai" He said as he stood up, back in the day Tenzin had towered over Kai, he was glad to find he'd caught up pretty well even though the master was still able to glare at him with hawklike eyes.
"I'm just here to tell you that I'm going to stay here."
"Why?" Tenzin looked surprised, I'd thought you wanted to do some more... traveling."
"You know why. And you're not going to make me change my mind again." Kai stood his ground. "I'm an airbender and I have just as much right to train here as the rest of them."
"There are other temples-"
"This one has all five masters and most of the airbenders." And Jinora. Kai turned around to leave, he'd said all he wanted.
"You see what she's accoplished don't you?" Tenzin said "She's going to become a great leader."
Kai stopped in his tracks, "She already is."
…
Jinora felt strangely light as she woke the next morning, she hadn't had anymore to drink after her two glasses and the intoxication seemed to have passed before she went to bed.
The night had not exactly gone like she'd thought. She'd replayed every possible scenario of her seeing Kai over and over in her head the last years. But she hadn't expected this.
She didn't know why he'd thought it was for the best to leave, but she knew he was telling the truth, he'd been her best friend and she knew when he was lying. Last night on the balcony he hadn't been lying.
She wasn't ready to go back to the way things where, but she coudn't deny a feeling of happiness that she hadn't felt in a long time. She got ready quickly, it was still early, and she thought she would do some meditation before breakfast. After the events of last night, she needed to calm down.
She made her way down to her usual spot looking over the valley and sat down. She'd just gotten into it when she heard a rustling sound beside her. She looked up and found Kai, sitting down into lotus position beside her.
"What are you doing?"
"Meditating? I thought you were supposed to be good at this." Kai grinned wickedly, making Jinora huff.
"Just be quiet okay?"
"Of course."
Jinora tried to regain her focus, but she was waiting for that tap on the shoulder, that whisper in her ear when he gave up. It never came. Finally she popped one eye open and glanced over at him, he had both eyes closed and looked deep in thought.
"It's hard to concentrate with you staring at me." He said eyes still closed. Jinora's jaw dropped.
"I wasn't staring!"
"Well then let me focus" He was grinning, but his eyes were still closed. Jinora growled inwarldly and closed her own eyes. She tried to concentrate on her own breathing, but found herself locking onto his. He had a steady rhythm, she tried to copy it. But her mind wasn't in it, she was too aware that Kai was sitting next to her, after all these years.
"I can't concentrate with all of your breathing, you're throwing me off!" She exclaimed and stod up, Kai finally opened his eyes and looked up at her.
"But you always said that breathing was the key to-"
"Oh whatever" Jinora rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Either way I can't concentrate with you here."
"Want me to leave?" Kai stood up too, and she realized she definitely didn't want that.
"No."
"Okay, just tell me what you want me to do. Except to stop breathing, that might be a bit hard, but I'll try." He gave har a loopsided smile, and Jinora felt her irritation die away.
"Let's just start with some breakfast okay?"
"Sounds easy enough." Kai fell into step beside her, when they where kids they would walk close to each other sometimes gracing a hand, and if they were brave enough, hold hands. Jinora glanced down at his hand, suddenly wondering what if it would feel the same.
Jinora walked into the hall first, noticing her family by a table, her father waved her over, but his hand fell when Kai stepped in behind her. Meelo on the other hand shot up with excitement.
"Kai! Sit with us!"
Kai glanced over at Jinora, who simply gave him a light scuff in that direction.
"It's so good to see you Kai, it's been too long" Pema said as they sat down, and Jinora silently gave her mother a thankful smile. Glancing over at her dad he was glaring openly at Kai, who was tense beside her.
"It's good to see you too" Kai smiled charmingly.
"Kai we have to play airball! I need someone who can put up a fight!" Meelo exclaimed, and Jinora felt Kai relaxing slightly.
"You're on Meelo, you'r reign of terror is over."
"Oh I woudn't be so sure of that." Meelo grinned, and Ikki rolled her eyes beside him.
"Oh joy."
"Jinora how are you feeling today, no headache?" Her father said, but didn't look up at her. Jinora kept a calm exterior.
"Oh I'm just fine, slept like a baby. Even got some meditating done." She chirped, and felt Kai glancing at her.
"See I told you" Pema beemed at Tenzin before turning back to Kai. "So Kai, how long are you around for? You should really stay around and do some training with the others."
"Actually that was my plan, traveling isn't really all that much fun." Kai said easily, and Jinora found herself smiling.
"Oh Tenzin, Kai should really be in your master class, he was always so talanted don't you think?" Pema said, and both Tenzin and Kai choked on their food.
"Oh I'm sure I'll be fine with the rest of the airbenders"
"Oh no you have too, you're too good for that class, you should be in the master class. Before Opal came to train with me she studied under my dad." Jinora exclaimed, Kai was looking at her with an expression she coudn't exactly read.
"Or maybe I could teach you" She added.
"Nonsense, he'll be in my class!" Her father suddenly said, and Kai's smile faltered.
"Then it's settled!" Pema said, "Oh it's just so lovely seeing you two together again." She gleamed at Jinora and Kai, and they both blushed like a pair of kids while Tenzin groaned.
…
Jinora and Ikki laughed as the airball hit Kai straight in the nose and bounced off. Kai looked dizzy but kept his balance on the pole.
"I'm going to get you for that Meelo!" Kai yelled, sending the ballback towards Meelo.
"So, are you a couple or something again now or what?" Ikki leaned closer to Jinora with a raised eyebrow, Jinora huffed.
"No of course not! I haven't seen him in years."
"So? It's not like you're getting any younger. Do you see any other boys around here?"
"Ikki!"
"Well if you're not getting together with him mind if I ask him out? He looks kind of cute nowadays." Ikki ggrinned towards Kai on the field, and Jinora felt a wave of jelausy course through her body.
"And it's not like yu ever kissed or anything, did you?" Ikki turned to Jinora, who was left speechless.
"I- uh"
"But if you like him, I wont make a move," Ikki added with narrowed eyes. Jinora knew Ikki wanted some gossip, but she wasn't exactly ready to share her feelings, she wasn't sure what she was feeling herself.
"I don't care."
"Fine" Ikki turned back to the game.
"Fine"
"Jinora?" Ronin's voice called, and Jinora turned aroudn to find him approaching them. Ikki grinned beside her.
"Right, forgot about him."
"Ikki stop it." Jinora elbowed her sister as Ronin reached them.
"I was going to go meditate, I was wondering if you'd like to join?" Ronin smiled. Jinora was just about to say that she'd meditated the same morning, but then realized she'd actually never managed. Glancing back at Kai on the field, his arrival had been very distracting.
"That would be great."
"You are of course welcome to join us Ikki" Ronin said, but Ikki just rolled her eyes.
"Suure."
"Ignore her" Jinora sighed, as she and Ronin walked away.
…
Kai glanced up towards Jinora just as that guy from the night before approaced them. Kai narrowed his eyes as he threw the ball. Jinora stood up to follow him, and Kai felt the urge to follow. He momentarily forgot where he was, and Meelo's next airkick sent him flying to the ground with a thud.
Ow.
"That's Ronin by the way, In case you where wondering." Ikki said, looking down at him. Kai fell back down with large groan.
…
Jinora sat down with Ronin by at the meditation pavillion.
"I feel like I owe you an apology for last night Jinora", Ronin said solemly as they were getting into position. Usually in class he would sit behind her or sometimes next to her, but today he sat down opposite to her.
"It's all right, but I am eighteen, it shoudn't be such a big deal." She sighed.
"You're just so mature that sometimes I forget that you might want to do normal teen stuff you know." Ronin smiled sweetly. "I was nowehere near as mature as you when I was eighteen. I don't think I really grew up until I came here."
"Yeah, normal stuff." Jinora glanced away, Ikki's words echoing in her head. And it's not like yu ever kissed or anything, did you?
Ronin seemed to notice, so she closed her eyes.
"Let's just concentrate."
Ikki's and Ronin's words refused to leave her alone. She'd never done those normal teen stuff, she hadn't kissed, she'd ever really been drunk, she'd never been carefree. All she'd ever done was study.
She did however not regret the studying, airbending was a part of who she was and she was proud of what she'd achieved. But her mind wandered to all the times she'd wished Kai had kissed her, or she'd been brave enough to kiss him.
Five years earlier:
Jinora tried to hold back a giggle as Kai messed around, leaving the other airbenders laughing. Tenzin glared at Kai
"Order everyone, or you'll be meditating instead of having dinner later!" He grunted, and everyone immidately straightened up on their poles. Kai's eyes flickered over to Jinora and blinked, the moment her father looked away he did another little move on the balancing pole. Jinora held back a laugh and gave him a stern look.
"Dad I think they're done for today, it's almost dawn." She said, and her father sighed loudly.
"I guess you're right, everyone's free to go."
"Thank raava" someone said and a collective sigh went through the airbender group as they jumped down. Kai landed next to her.
"I'm still full of energy, can't you show me some of your master moves Jinora?" He asked excitedly.
"I think you need to master the basics before you move onto Jinora's level Kai." Tenzin said coldly, Jinora saw the flicker of hurt in Kai's eyes before he was able to hide it.
"Kai's the best in the class." She protested. "And I can teach him if I want to. C'mon Kai" She caught is hand, ignoring her father's dissaproving looks as she dragged Kai with her.
"So what do you want to learn?" She asked as they reached the north pavilion, the most remote place she knew of at Air temple island.
"What about air blades?" Kai said excitedly, creating an airball and scooting around her. Jinora laughed.
"What about we practise your heat regulation?"
"Oh, that doesn't exactly sound as fun." Kai let the airball dissapear and landed before her with a wry look.
"Well winter is around the corner and I'm thinking it will be useful. Also it might impress my father if you're the first of the airbender recruits to completely master it."
"Fine" Kai dropped his gaze. "I guess I'll try it."
"Great, so stand here-" Jinora reached out, her hands on both Kai's shoulders. She'd noticed he'd gotten taller than her, and she had to turn her hed slightly to meet his gaze.
"What are you doing?" He asked, with a slight blush to her surprise.
"Adjusting your position." She answered, Jinora had chosen this particular excersice because it would let her be close to Kai. Not that she'd ever admit that to anyone.
"Oh." Kai's eyes dropped again, down to her hands. "So now what?"
"The heat comes from your heart and lungs," her hands slid down to settle on his chest, Kai took a short intake of breath. "Holding your breath wont make it easier."
"Sorry" he let it out, looking away from her. Jinora knew she should feel more nervous, but something in her wanted to stay this close to Kai, to feel the warmth radiating from his body. Her hand was placed right above his heart, and she could feel it beating fast.
"Slow your heart rate" she said.
"I'm trying"
"Breathe, and focus on my hands, thats where the heat radiates from." She looked up at Kai's face, his eyes where closed but he looked nowhere nere calm enough, his heart still not slowing down.
"I said I'm trying okay?" Kai snapped, and Jinora winced. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to push you-"
"Look this isn't what I wanted to learn" Kai took a step back, a gush of cold air bringing her back to reality as it parted them.
"I'm sorry." She mumbled, not exactly sure what she did wrong.
"Don't be, let's just go back to the temple. I'm hungry." His voice grew softer, but Jinora still had a nagging feeling in her stomach the rest of that day.
Four yeas earlier:
"Everyone ready?" Tenzin asked trying to get heard over the commotion. Jinora tried to keep a cool face as she watched Kai ready Lefty's sadle. A warm hand landed on her shoulder and she looked up to find Opal smiling reassuringly at her.
"I'll make sure he get's home safe, don't worry."
"Thanks, I need you both to come home safe" Jinora wrapped her arms around Opal in a tight hug.
"I'll disctract Tenzin so that you can say goodbye to Kai", Opal whispered, and Jinora nodded. Kai had rounded Lefty and was fiddling with his saddle on the other side when she came around the bison. Kai looked up, his charming smile in place as usual.
"Hi."
Jinora was thankful that the bison was covering them from the rest of the gang, giving her this short moment of private time with Kai.
"Bye would probably be more accurate" she pointed out, and Kai rolled his eyes.
"It's not like I've had you for myself that much, I think hi works."
He stopped fiddling with the saddle but kept a hand on Lefty's side.
"I can't believe you're leaving again, I barely got to see you." She sighed taking a few steps closer to him.
"I'll be back, the earth nation needs all the help it can get. And you're needed here by the spirit portal."
"Just... be safe okay?" Jinora closed the last space between them and threw her arms around his neck, Kai stumbled backwards in surprise but then she felt his arms lace tightly around her waist. Jinora felt Kai's warm breath on her neck and a shiver went through her body, suddenly very aware her body was flush against his. She didn't want to let go though, and dissapointment washed over her as he loosened his grip around her.
"Jinora I-" Kai started just as she was about to let go of him, but his hands had settled on her waist, Jinora glanced up at him in surprise, hands still hooked around his neck. She felt the small dark curls at the nape of his neck, and wanted to run her hand through them.
"Yes?"
"I-" Kai's gaze didn't falter, Jinora's eyes flickered down to his lips, he was close, all she had to do was lean forward and-"
"JINORA!" Her father's voice boomed as he rounded the bison, tightly followed by Opal. Kai immidately tensed up, his hands letting go of her as she fell back against the bison, face dark red.
"Yes dad?"
"It's time for Opal and Kai to leave."
"Yes master Tenzin" Kai mumbled, looking down at the ground. Opal gave them both an apologetic look.
"Sorry, I tried."
"Jinora? Ronin, I'm sorry to interrupt, but dinner is being served." Tenzin's voice brought her back to reality with a slight blush. Ronin opened his eyes slowly and nodded.
"Thank you master Tenzin."
"Oh and Ronin, I was wondering if we could discuss those changes you where thinking about to the north balcony later?"
"Yes of course," Ronin stood up, offering his hand to Jinora. She took it and let him hoist her up. To her surprise Ronin didn't immidately let it go as her father turned around to leave. Ronin's warm hand still encasing hers she looked at him wonderingly.
"So what where you thinking about?"
"I was just meditating" she answered, narrowing her eyes.
"Sorry, I heard you make a sound and looked up, you seemed to be thinking about something." Ronin smiled. "You where blushing, like that."
"I uh, it was nothing." Jinora cursed herself for letting her face heat up like that all the time.
"Don't worry, it was pretty." Ronin's hand squeezed hers, and Jinora blinked in surprise.
"Uh..."
"Let's get some dinner." Ronin let go of her hand, and Jinora found herself confused by the resent events. She didn't notice Kai until they reached the doorway, he was leaning against the frame looking relaxed.
"That seemed to be some deep meditating." Kai noted.
"You should have joined us." Jinora said.
"It seemed intimate" Kai glared at Ronin. Jinora realized she'd never actually introduced them.
"Uh, Ronin, this is Kai, he's one of the airbenders from the earth nation."
"So where were you when we rebuilt the temple?" Ronin asked, and Kai's green eyes grew darker. "We could have used another airbender."
"I was here when it was attacked" Kai glared, crossing his arms. Jinora narrowed her eyes.
"Hey were all on the same side here, let's just get some food."
"I'll just see you tommorow morning for class... Master Jinora" Ronin said evenly, giving her a long glance and then left her and Kai.
"You didn't have to be so rude" she said, with a little more tension than she'd planned. Kai's jaw was clenched tight.
"What? He's not even meditating, he's just oogling all over you. Aren't you supposed to be facing the same way when meditating?"
"That's not a rule." She objected, Kai hummed discontentedly.
"Well he shoudn't be oogling you like that anyway, what is he like thirty?"
"He's 23, relax Kai. Why are you so on edge?" Jinora asked, Kai's irritation finally seemed to fade.
"Well I guess I have your father's classes to look forward to tomorrow." He sighed.
"I'm sure he won't be too hard on you guys."
"I woudn't be so sure." Kai said, looking away.