Chapter 13

After what seemed like the most eventful vacation, the boys were ready to head back to the academy. Kuma's parents told them not to worry about the man who tried to attacked the Oasis. Being eager to head back to academy, Jin didn't really care anymore. He has a thousand things on his mind currently and dealing with some fish hating thug was the last of it. Jin entered the blimp and sat down before sighing. Kuma sat next to him and raised an eyebrow.

"What's the matter?"

Jin rubbed his neck. "Well... Just starting to realize how... Much I have to learn...In so little time." Jin said while looking at him.

"Well... It's going to be difficult not telling anyone... But how are we going to get you teachers?" Kuma said confused.

"Well... We can worry about it when we get back to the academy." Jin said while closing his eyes to sleep.

After hours of travel, the blimp finally arrived. The boys stepped out and began to talk. The paused seeing a girl who seemed quite angry sitting on one of the lone stones in the courtyard. Jin had recalled seeing her before. He actually recalled seeing her quite a few times. Something about her just seemed unique. Her hair was long and pinned in the traditional fire nation head pin but the only difference was it being pale and white. Her skin was also a bit of a light tan color but she was dressed as a fire nation student. Was she really from the fire nation.

"Jin? Hellooo~. Jin!"

Jin paused while looking at Kuma who waved his hand in front of JIn's face. Kuma turned to look where his friend was and smiled.

"Ohhh now I see. So you gonna talk to her?"

Jin blinked blankly. "W-Wait what? What do you mean talk to her?"

"Well I mean you're already staring at her. Might as well know the name of the girl your staring at, right?"

Jin rubbed his neck. ".. Does something seem a bit off about her Kuma?"

Kuma looked at her and rubbed his chin. "Now that you mention it, she does look a bit off for a fire nation girl." He said before pushing Jin. "Sounds like a good conversation starter to me!"

JIn whined while being pushed towards the sitting girl. "Kuma no!"

Kuma smirked and pushed his friend forward until he was next to the girl. She paused and turned to see a nervous Jin fiddling with his fingers and Kuma in the distance with a innocent smile.

"O-Oh um... S-Sorry. I um..." Jin said.

The girl looked at him and rolled her eyes. "Can I help you?"

Jin gulped. "I-I couldn't help but... Uh notice your... Your beautiful stone there!" Jin said while pointing at the rock she sat on. He laughed nervously before grabbing his things and backing away. "Ok that's it thank you bye bye!"

The girl looked at him with no expression on her face before turning her head away. Kuma groaned. "Really Jin?! A beautiful rock?"

Jin sighed while hitting his forehead. "Idiot..."

He wasn't sure what to say at that moment. Everything was just going a bit too fast for him. But it's not like he wouldn't see her again.

The boys brought their things to their room before relaxing for the rest of the day. Soon night began to fall and Kuma was fast asleep. Jin, however, couldn't sleep. He jumped out of bed and began to head to the door deciding to go on a stroll around the courtyard. His head was a bit clouded with his responsibilities as usual. He wanted to talk to his grandmother but he didn't want to put her in danger by doing so. As he continued his walk through the path, he paused seeing bright lights in the distance. He quickly hid behind a bush and gasped slightly seeing what it was. It was the mystery girl from before except now she was going through her fire bending drills. Her flames were blue; which Jin had never seen before. He watched her flip and move with her fire as if they were meant for each other. He smiled seeing how powerful she was. She was... amazing! He then paused seeing her tripping and falling to the ground.

"Ah! Stupid!..." The girl said as she slammed her fists against the stone floor. Her fire dance had been interrupted by a mistake of her own resulting in her falling to the ground. Jin stood from his bush and began to walk to her slowly.

"Y-.. Your bending is amazing."

The girl paused hearing a voice then turned quickly to see Jin standing with his idiotic smile. She glared angrily and backed away from him.

"Were you spying on me!? That's an invasion of privacy you know."

Jin gasped blushing from embarrassment.

"W-Wait no! I didn't mean to- I mean I did but! Wait please don't be mad at me! I just- I was just walking. I-I!"

Jin continued his rambling for a few seconds until the girl sighed and folded her eyes.

"What do you want?"

Jin paused and looked around a bit.

"M-Me? I don't want anything. Honest. Just taking a walk... And watched you bend."

She raised an eyebrow. "Your an earth bender, correct."

"Yes I am." He said with a small gulp. "My names Jin. Pleasure to meet you."

Jin held out his hand slightly waiting for a hand shake. The girl looked at him then slowly took his hand.

"Azuki. Likewise."

So Azuki was her name. What a interesting name for a interesting young lady.

"I-I didn't mean to interrupt your practicing Azuki. I'm sorry if my presents was the reason you messed up."

Azuki sighed. "It's not your fault... I'm just too weak. There is no room for mistakes. I need more practice."

Jin rubbed his neck. "Oh yeah. Practice does help with that. But sometimes when I make mistakes, I try to place my motives in my head."

She paused. "Your motives?"
"You know. Motives Something to keep you motivated. I think of my grandmother. She's the reason I'm here in the first place. I'm here so I can get stronger and smarter to keep her safe." He then smiled. "What might your motive be Azuki?"

Azuki looked at the floor then rolled her eyes. "I don't have a motive."

He gasped. "What?! Well we can change that for sure. All you have to do is think of someone you will keep going for."

"I doubt that it's that easy..."

Jin blinked blankly. "What do you mean?"

"My parents are nobles. They don't really pay much mind to me. It's all about my older brother. All they care about is my stupid older brother!" She clenched her fists. "I don't want to protect them. HE can if he wants. What's the point of using family as motivation if they won't even motivate you in the first place?"

Jin pouted while hearing her. His parents were never of any power so he wasn't sure what it was like to be in her situation. "Wow... I-I'm sorry to hear about that."

"Yeah me too..."

Jin thought then clenched his fists. "Alright then. It's official. Azuki! I would be honored to motivate you."

Azuki paused and looked at him expressionless. "Excuse me?"

"Yeah! It's easy. Ill cheer you on, prevent you from giving up and help you keep going. I'll be your motivation. You don't have to keep going for me but I'll be sure to keep rooting for you."

She blinked blankly. "U-Uh... But why would you do that? You don't even know me."

JIn smiled and rubbed his neck. "Well... I guess I'm just that kind of guy. I like to be friendly." He said with a laugh.

She looked at the ground and rolled her eyes. "Whatever... Do what you want. I'm going to keep practicing."

As she began to practice again, Jin stood at the side cheering and motivating her any way he could. If she would make a mistake, he would encourage her and reassure her that she could do it. In no time, she was doing the moves flawlessly. She paused where she stood.

"That... That was the first time I ever did it right..."

Jin smiled. "See I knew you could do it. Congrats!"

She paused and looked at him slightly and silently.

"Hm..."

JIn blushed confused while being stared at. He could feel his heart beating pretty quickly. What was going on!?

Soon Azuki began to speak. "Hm. I guess you aren't a crazy idiot after all. "