Chapter 9

Months had gone by for the boys as they continued their studies. There were good times and a few bad times but nothing could stop the determination the young males had to prove their strength. In his free time, Jin often continued his ink drawings. He enjoyed making pictures of his parents; which now both had faces. Whenever he created something he liked, he would frame it to be seen in the room. Kuma spent most of his time eating food and training. He even learned how to control water for longer than 5 seconds! He was quite proud of the improvement's he had made.

Soon the time had come for the boys to go on vacation. Jin had already wrote to his Grandmother about spending the vacation with Kuma to the Northern Water Tribe. She was a bit upset about not seeing her grandson but soon felt that it was better that he spent time with his new friend. Perhaps he would learn a thing or two. She also mentioned it was time for him to "explore the world". He wasn't sure what that meant but he was glad that she allowed him to go.

Jin sat on his bed as he looked at the small bag containing his things for the next week. Kuma had told him to pack warm clothes. He wasn't sure how cold it would be but he took his friends word. He put on the large jacket that his Grandmother had made him and smiled at Kuma.

"So how do I look?"

Kuma laughed slightly while looking at him. "Like a big puff of wool!"

Jin growled slightly under his breath. "Hey! Whatever... So when do we leave?"

Kuma opened the door as he began to walk out. "There should be some airships beginning to depart now. Let's try and get a good one!"

As the boys began to leave the housing area and head to the courtyard, Jin noticed a young girl dressed in the fire nation uniform. Something seemed off about her. Perhaps it was the slight paleness of her hair. It almost seemed... white. He gasped as he noticed a taller male dressed in a fire nation generals uniform. He seemed to be yelling at her. He watched as the girls gaze met his but before he could do anything, her gaze turned to a angered glare. He shivered slightly as she turned her head away from him and back to the male in front of her.

"Jin. You coming or what?"

Jin paused and quickly turned to Kuma who quite a few feet away. He quickly began to catch up then smiled as if what he had saw hadn't happened. He was still a bit curious about what that was all about though. As they began to get on the airship, Jin began to look out the window and watch as the clouds began to go by. He remembered the first time that Mr. Fang had took him on his first ride. It was such a amazing feeling. It was also very relaxing. He soon began to feel himself drifting off to sleep.

Many hours later, Jin could feel himself shaking. He quickly opened his eyes seeing Kuma with a smile.

"Wake up! Were here!"

Jin yawned and rubbed his eyes as he looked out. There was ice and snow as far as the eye could see. Kuma wasn't kidding when he said to pack warmly. He could even feel the slight child on the steel of the ship. As it began to land, he got his things and walk out with Kuma. He watched as his boots sunk into the deep snow. This was completely different than what he was use to. There would never be this much snow and frost in the middle ring ; yet along Ba Sing Se. He kneeled down and touched the snow with his hands and smiled. It felt, well, chilly. But somehow fun.

"Hey Jin. Come on, I'll show you around really quick."

Jin looked up at Kuma who was smiling. Soon they began to walk around all of the Northern Water Tribe. The place was quite large and spacey and every seemed very friendly. Kuma smiled as the two stood in front of a large building.

"I would show you more but im starting to die of hunger. And some of the places around here are guarded so.. Yeah."

Jin smiled. "So is this where you stay."

Kuma laughed and folded his arms behind his head. "How'd ya guess?"

"Well you are the son of the tribes chief so."

Kuma smirked and rubbed his own chin. "Heh. So you do pay attention. Good! Come on I'll show you to my folks!"
The traveled up the large ice stairs until reaching what seemed to be a large home. The view was quite amazing and the whole tribe could be seen from there. It was obvious a home of power. Jin watched as Kuma confronted the two large guards in front who soon bowed before him.

"He's with me." Kuma said as he pointed at Jin.

Jin smiled and waved happily as the guards stood aside and let them both pass. As they walked, Jin began to observe Kumas home. It was quite... elegant. Something he imagined the Upper Ring would look like.. But colder and such. It was actually a bit surprising to think that Kuma stays here. The home didn't even fit his, well, personality. Jin watched as Kuma hugged a older woman and male dressed in quite traditional clothing.

"Jin. Let me introduce you to my parents. This is my mother, Utah."

The woman smiled and laughed slightly. She was pregnant it seemed. Kuma did mention he had mentioned he had many siblings but he never mentioned there were more to come. The woman herself was quite vivd looking in appearance. Her hair was a pure black and the length traveled down her back in a braid. It was hard to tell that she was a mother at all. She looked quite young.

"I hope you boys both brought your appetites. Supper is almost ready."

Kuma smiled as he heard his mothers words. He then stood next to his father and smiled at Jin. "And this is my dad. Chief Yakuah"

The male stood and faced Jin with quite confidence. He stood at least 6 feet tall and looked a lot like Kuma but much older. The males hair was packed into dreads and messily were placed in a ponytail. He wore what Jin assumed to be the chiefs head wear that seemed to be a wolfs head. He was quite muscular and had a bit of a rugged appearance to him. And yet, something about him seemed so professional. Perhaps it was the facial hair. The male approached Jin and held out his hand with a smile.

"Well boy. I welcome you to the Northern Water Tribe. Kuma has told me much about you. It's nice to know there's someone with enough patience to keep him out of trouble."

Kuma groaned under his breath. "Dad!"

Yakuah laughed and patted his sons head. "Yes yes I know. Now why don't you two go get cleaned up for dinner. Oh and Kuma, do you mind gathering the pack?"

Kuma smiled as he led Jin towards the back of the house. He opened a door slowly and smiled as he heard slight screams. Before he could react, a group of 5 younger children began to surround Kumas legs. This must be the "pack" his father had talked about.

"Jin. These are my brothers. Kazah, Hado, Bokka, Yukahe, and Ahku."

Jin smiled as the young boys looked at him. They couldn't be more than 6. Or younger than 4. He could tell the boys were a bit uncomfortable with his appearance.

"Whats with his clothes?"

Kuma smiled. "He's from the Earth Kingdom. You know, the super far away place with barely any ice."

The boys whined.

Kuma rolled his eyes. "Anyway, you should all get ready for dinner. "

The boys cheered and began to run off as quickly as they could. Jin smiled.

"Wow must be nice having siblings."

Kuma laughed. "It's not all it's cracked up to be. Please, take as many as you want from me."

The boys laughed and soon began to follow the pack to the dining area. He sat down with the rest of the males as he began to look around. He watched as Kuma's mother and a mysterious girl began to set the table. She seemed to appear about Jin and Kuma's age. Her hair was short and bit black; which brought out the brightness and softness of her face. She looked quite timid and of her appearance, he couldn't help but notice the interesting necklace around her neck. Jin watched as the girl sat next to Kuma and lightly placed her head on his shoulder. Kuma smiled and his face turned red slightly.

"Oh. Kuma. You didn't tell me you had a sister too? Wow that's a lot of siblings."

Kuma smiled. "Huh? Oh noooo this isn't my sister. This is Maka. She's my wife to be."

Jin smiled at her. "Well it's nice to me-" He then paused realizing what Kuma had said. He twitched slightly and held his head. "WAIT YOUR ALREADY GETTING MARRIED!?"

Yakuah laughed as he watched Jin's reaction. "You aren't familiar with are customs are you? Well, Kuma will be chief soon and every man of power has a strong woman to support him."

Jin watched as Utah sat next to Yakuah.

"You see, you propose to a woman, you gift her a special necklace. Just as the one Utah is wearing." Yakuah said as he pointed to her necklace.

Utah smiled. "Kuma had met Maka when he was about 5 years old. Her father is quite the scholar. They played together and he swore that one day he was going to marry her." She giggled slightly. "It was adorable. Seeing Kuma work countless hours on making her the perfect necklace."

Kuma growled and covered his now red face from the embarrassing story his parents were telling. "Geez... I knew coming home was a awful idea..."

Maka smiled and blushed as she looked at the embarrassed expression on Kuma's face. Her necklace was quite beautiful. It looked composed of certain shells of turquoise and aqua blue. He couldn't believe this. That Kuma was going to be married.

"So... Uh... When is the wedding?"

Maka smiled as she looked at Kuma. "Kuma wanted to have it before he went to the academy but I didn't want to put myself on him as a burden. So I promised him that once he is finished with his studies there, we will be wed. It would be lovely if you could come, Jin was it?"

Jin smiled. "You kidding? I wouldn't miss it for anything. I'll even be in it if you want." Everyone laughed happily and soon Kuma began to come out of his embarrassed hiding. It felt nice to be surrounded by family; even if it wasn't his own. Somehow the hospitality of Kuma's parents made him feel like he had belonged there all along.

Dinner was quite delicious and Jin and Kuma ate to their fill. As Jin was directed to where he could sleep for the night, he couldn't help but smile. He was happy that he was staying the week here with Kuma and his family. It was a nice experience. He sat at the small table in the room and began to prepare his letter to his Grandmother.

"Dear Gran Gran,

I cannot believe what I am seeing here. This place is completely covered in ice and snow! It's like a winter dream of some sort. However, thanks to the warm clothing you prepared me, I'll be staying warm. Thanks again.

I've learned a lot about the Northern Water Tribe. Things that dad use to tell me about in his stories. I've even learned a few things that I hadn't known; like their customs.
Also, I learned something amazing too. Kuma is engaged! How exciting! He even said I could be in the wedding! I've never been to a wedding before so... I don't really know what to expect.. But it's another experience I hope to see!

Thanks for all the tea. I brought some for Kuma's family and they really seem to like it. It's just something nice to drink after a long day of being in the cold.

I miss you a lot. I hope that you will reply to me soon.

Sincerely, Jin."

Jin smiled as he finished his letter then paused as he heard a light clearing of the throat. He turned to see Kuma standing with a slight smirk on his face.

"Kuma?"

Kuma smirked as he leaned against the wall. "Hey. Feel like exploring?"

Jin blinked blankly. "Exploring? What exactly are you talking about doing?"

Kuma smirked as he quickly grabbed Jin's arm and led him out silently. "Let's just say were going... Fishing. Yeah, fishing."