Chapter 7

The sun shone high in the sky as Sota stretched his muscles. The small pond in the yard gleamed brightly, almost as if to signify that the new day was upon them and held promises of great things.

Sota reveled in the warmth of the light as a gentle breeze blew past him, the pleasant scent of the foliage wafting along with it. A small leaf drifted down from a tree above him, dancing along with the help of the wind and moving past his face.

Sota smiled as he thought back on the last few days. He had finally arrived in Republic City with Korra, and so far, everything has been going surprisingly well. Her press conference the other day had been the talk of the city for days, and it was finally starting to die which was great because they were all getting a bit tired of reporters coming to Air Temple Island looking for her. Even Sota had to avoid their constant advances for a scoop that they could print up.

As annoying as that was, he still found it to be somewhat exciting. He and Jinora had been talking about it the other night after dinner and she seemed to agree with him that this entire thing was incredible. Jinora had also expressed how excited she was that he and Korra would be staying with them, and Sota couldn't have agreed more. It was a nice feeling to have his friend within such close proximity to him, though he was still bummed that he couldn't spend more time with her.

Apparently, the airbenders had a very strict schedule that Tenzin liked to adhere to, leaving him very little time to actually enjoy her company, though he would take whatever small bit of companionship he could. After all, he was used to being left alone anyway, given that no one in the village associated with him. Jinora felt bad that she couldn't spend more time with him, but both understood the seriousness that was their bending training, which was the same reason that Sota was out here so early in the morning.

Having spent the last few days since his arrival getting settled in, Sota had been ignoring practicing his own bending training, something he knew Jinora's grandmother would not be pleased with, in favor of other activities like fishing, swimming and even watching Jinora herself practice her airbending by moving through some spinning gates she activated with her airbending. Jinora had called him out his lack of training, calling him "lazier then a swamp water" for doing so.

Sota didn't take kindly to her insult, though he of course knew she was right about it. In all honesty, he had hoped to spend a few days exploring the city with everyone and getting more acquainted with the sites of his new home. This, of course, was a short lived dream as Tenzin had forbidden Korra from leaving the island, and by extension, Sota, stating that she was here to learn airbending and that she needed to be focused and away from distractions. Needless to say, they were both less than thrilled about this, but with the White Lotus Sentries all over the island, what were they to do.

With a sigh, Sota readjusted his arm length wrist bands while walking over to his bag that lay under a nearby tree. He dug into it for a moment before picking up a scroll and slowly unraveling it. The scroll had no words on the aged parchment save for the name of the moves described in the pictures, but it was easy enough for him to understand given that he had practiced these moves before.

Placing it down flatly on a nearby rock, Sota looked at the pond before him, eyes focused as he felt his Chi surge in his body. Shifting his stance and taking a deep breath, Sota raised his hands, bringing a small ball of water from the pond easily, separating it from the rest of the clear blue liquid.

For an hour, Sota practiced the movements on the beginners scroll, rolling the water between his hands, creating whips and even freezing it randomly into various shapes. As he carefully maneuvered the water to resemble a miniature lily, a flower native to the island, he could hear the sound of clapping coming from behind him.

"Wow, Sota," Jinora said as she walked up to him. "That's a really pretty flower you made. You've gotten really good at that."

"Thanks, Nora," he said eyeing his work carefully, but grimacing at the shotty workmanship. "But this really isn't all that good. It's just the basic shape of the flower. I haven't even started to get the hang of the finer details. It'll be a long time before I'm anywhere near that good."

"It's JI-nora," she ground out in annoyance before composing herself again. "And I'm sure you'll get the hang of it soon if you keep practicing. You'll have plenty of time while you're here in the city."

"Yeah, I suppose. So what's on the agenda for the airbenders today?"

"Korra's gonna be starting her training today. I'm so excited to see what happens!"

"Well, I wouldn't get too excited," Sota said, melting the ice and bending it back into the pond. "Korra's never been able to airbend before."

"Really?" Jinora asked in surprise. "Why's that?"

"Don't know, but I usually like to tell her it's because she's too much of a hot head to do it." The two kids laughed at the joke, Sota shaking his head to himself before continuing. "But now that she's here, I'm sure she'll be able to learn. I mean, who better to teach her then your dad?"

"I agree. Dad's definitely going to be able to help her," Jinora agreed, turning back to their living quarters and beckoning him to follow. "Come on, let's get some breakfast before Meelo and Ikki eat it all."

"Sounds good to me," he replied, trotting after her and into the home.

"And, in the final round, the Buzzard Wasps won! With a deceive knockout," Korra read excitedly from the paper. Dropping it, she looked to Tenzin who sat across from her. "What do you say we grab everyone and go to the arena tonight? Catch a few probending matches?"

"That…sport," Tenzin said tensely, the idea alone of bothering him "is a mockery of the noble tradition of bending."

"Come on, Tenzin," Korra egged as he took a sip from his tea. "I've dreamed about seeing a probending match since I was a kid, and now I'm just a ferry ride away from the arena. Besides, I think it'd be a good idea for Sota to get out of here once in a while; if we keep him cooped up here all the time, he's gonna start going stir crazy."

"Korra, you're not here to watch that drivel. You're here to finish your Avatar training. And though I do sympathize with Sota's predicament, it can't be helped. So, for the time being, I want you to remain here, on the island."

"Is that why you're keeping the White Lotus Sentries around to watch my every move?" she asked bluntly as she looked around the room to find numerous guards posted around them as well as the other Air Acolytes in the dining room.

"Yes. In order to learn airbending, I believe you require a calm, quiet environment, free from any distractions, which is also why I've asked Sota to not attend your training sessions for the time being."

With a sigh, Korra said, "Alright; you're the master," though she couldn't help throwing a longing glance out the window.

Sota gave a contented sigh as he finished the last of his breakfast. Even though there was rarely any meat (something that was cooked every so often just for him and Korra), Sota could say without a doubt that Pema was an amazing cook.

Placing his bowl back on the table, Sota watched as Jinora, Ikki and Meelo stood up, the two younger air kids throwing a quick "thank you" to their mother before racing out of the door. Jinora, being better mannered and punctual, gave her mother a proper thank you and bow before turning to leave.

"You gotta go already, huh?" Sota asked, a hint of sadness in his voice, though he doubted anyone would hear it. Or at least he hoped that they wouldn't.

Jinora gave him a nod, saying, "My dad wants us to get to the training gorund a bit early so that we can set it up for Korra." A bit of regret slipped onto her face as she said, "Sorry that you can't come with."

"It's no problem. Give her a good lesson and you can tell me about it later, ok?" he said cheerily. Jinora smiled and nodded to him before exiting. The clinking of porcelain caught Sota's attention as Pema eased herself up and began to clear the table. Standing to his feet, Sota called out to her. "Here, let me do that, Ms. Pema."

"No, no, Sota. Don't give it another thought," she insisted, collecting a few more dishes and heading to the kitchen. "You're our guest."

"It's ok, really," he said, grabbing the rest and making his way behind her into the kitchen. He carefully placed the dishes into the sink before turning the water on to run over them. As the sink filled, he carefully bent water around a few dishes, pulling them out of the sink and allowing them to hover precariously over the rest. His hands continued to move slowly, the water moving around in calm, circular motions as it removed and cleared away the food that remained on them.

Once these dishes were sufficiently cleaned, he lowered them back over the sink, grabbing each on carefully and bending the remaining water off of them before putting each on the rack with the rest and facing her with a smile.

"I do the dishes all the time at home. With my waterbending, it's a lot easier and a lot faster. Besides, I might as well contribute around here. Think of it as my way of saying thank you for letting us stay with you guys. You go ahead and relax."

"Well, that's very sweet of you, Sota, and very appreciated," Pema said, placing a grateful hand on his shoulder before making her way to a chair. "I wish my kids were as considerate as you are."

"It's no problem, really," he said, a small blush of embarrassment on his face at the praise. "It gives me something to do while they're out training."

"I know it must be hard to be cooped up here all the time without the others," she said sympathetically. "But it won't be like this the entire time, I promise. Everyone just needs to get adjusted to all the changes. So, how are you liking the city so far?"

"Well, from what I've seen of it, it's great. It's like a whole new world, completely different from the South Pole," he said with a smile. "It really makes me wonder what the rest of the city is like."

The rest of the day went by without incident, at least for Sota. After finishing the dishes and making more small talk with Pema, he headed back outside to continue practicing his bending. By the time the late afternoon had come, he had finished and was now aimlessly walking around the island. Naga, having slept through the morning, had joined him on his walk, and though the island was indeed beautiful, it was incredibly boring without anyone to really enjoy it with. Even the sounds of the Flying Lemurs over head could only distract him for so long before he grew tired of it and headed back home.

Dinner was served soon after he returned, and aside from Korra's obvious frustrations, everything seemed to be pretty calm. After Korra had left and headed outside, Sota went about washing their dinner dishes before finding Jinora in her room reading a book.

"So, how'd it go out there?" he asked. Jinora cringed as she recalled the way Korra repeatedly bounced off the gates mercilessly. Sota noticed the look, grimacing as well. "That bad, huh?"

"Let's just say she may be a bit batter and bruised. I've NEVER seen anyone bounce like that before off of something equivalent to a door," Jinora said with a shake of her head.

"I'd better go see how she's doing," he said as he left her room and went in search of his sister. It didn't take him long to find her and Naga outside, Korra throwing her open palms out at a newspaper she hung up in front of her in what he guessed was an attempt to practice her airbending.

"Airbend!" she chanted. The paper remained completely still, frustrating Korra even more. "What is wrong with me!? Airbend!" she repeated, anger growing as it still did not move.

"Well, for starters, you're yelling at a newspaper," Sota said, walking over to Naga and sitting next to her. Korra's eye twitched in irritation before she let out a growl, firebending a ball of fire that quickly incinerated the dangling paper. "Though that temper may be a part of the problem."

"Ha ha, you're so funny," she said sarcastically as she turned to face her brother and pet. "Ugh, maybe I'm just not cut out to be an airbender."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm coming to you live from Republic City's probending arena, where tonight, the best in the world continue their quest for a spot in the upcoming championship tournament." The two siblings looked past the pound to see a small housing structure when the static like noise of the radio that reached their ears seemed to be coming from. "So grab your snacks, and grab your kids, because this next match is gonna be a dozy."

Looking at each other, their faces instantly lit up, their minds forming a similar idea. The two quietly snuck over to the station where three White Lotus Sentries sat, relaxed as they listened to the radio in front of them. The two siblings quickly and easily scaled the side of the building, situating themselves on the roof as they listened into the announcer's words.

The excitement continued to build for them, adrenaline pumping through their veins as they looked across the bay at the arena, visualizing the match for themselves as if they were there while the announcer gave an energetic play by play.

"This Mako's got moxy. He advances, fires two quick shots; Yomo is hammered back to Zone 3!" he cheered. Sota and Korra wore twin expressions of anxious excitement as they silently cheered for the Fire Ferrets, a rookie team according to the announcer that had been making their way up the latter rather well thus far. The Sentries below them were just as excited, their focus completely taken as they leaned in closer and closer to the radio in anticipation. "The clock is winding down; Can Yomo hold on? He's teetering on the edge of the ring, now! The Fire Ferrets light up the st-"

The air instantly became silent as the transmission stopped, shocking everyone into horrified expressions. Korra's entire face began to twitch as Sota leaned forward, barely holding onto the edge of the roof, his body completely stiff and his mouth opened in a silent scream. The three Sentries had similar expression, turning around to check the plug before instantly jumping back as they looked to find Master Tenzin standing behind them, plug in hand and a stern expression on his face.

"Korra, Sota, come down here, please," he called out unhappily as he dropped the plug.

Sota could feel the panic rise in his gut as he looked at Korra who just looked disappointed. Hanging upside down, the two siblings watched the Sentries jump apart in surprise, though their focus was quickly drawn to Tenzin. Korra quickly flipped down and into the post, Sota following behind her at a much slower rate as he righted himself and climbed down.

"You shut it off at the best part!" Korra complained.

"I thought I made myself clear; I don't want you listening to this distracting nonsense."

"Well what about me?" Sota asked. "I mean, I'm not training to be an Avatar, so there shouldn't be any harm in me listening to it, right?"

"You shouldn't be listening to it either. Garbage like that can do nothing but warp a young mind such as yours. Not to mention that if you were to listen to it, it would only distract Korra more with her desire to know what's going on there."

"But it's their radio," Korra stated as she walked up to the older man. "And technically, you said I couldn't watch a match; you didn't say I anything about listening to one."

"You-" Tenzin stuttered, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath to try and calm himself. "You know what I meant. Anyway shouldn't-shouldn't you be in bed by now?" With a swift pulling of his cloak, Tenzin blew a gust of wind in their faces before sulking away from them.

Korra continued to look on, unamused, while Sota could only sigh.

The following day preceded much like the previous one with the airbenders training Korra and Sota trying to find ways of preoccupying himself with something.

Ok, so maybe he hadn't expected things to be this boring around here, but that didn't mean that it was any less boring.

Sota still deemed it extremely unfair that he was barred from leaving the island or staying up to date on the Probending Tournament. He wasn't the one training to be an Avatar, so why did he have to suffer along with his sister? He spent his entire day sitting around, bored out of his mind given that he only had so much time to spend with Jinora and the others. Aside from that, and the small bit of the day he used for practicing his own bending, Sota had way too much time on his hands, and little to do in terms of entertainment.

As he lay on the grass near the living quarters, he was surprised to find Korra making her way told it, a bored expression on her face.

"A little early to be done, aren't you?" he asked as he sat up.

"Got thirsty so I decided to get some leachy juice," she said as she stopped to talk to him.

"And Tenzin just let you go? Just like that?"

"Nope. I just got up and walked away. He was going on and on about how Air is the element of freedom, and so when I got tired of listening to him, I got up and walked away. None of this airbending stuff makes sense to me anyway."

"A little ironic, isn't it?" Sota said with a grin.

"Tell me about it. So, listen," Korra said, looking around suspiciously for anyone who may be near and could overhear her. "How do you feel about a little jail break?"

"I think that's a terrible idea," Sota said honestly, though he couldn't help giving the same infectious grin that mirrored his sister's face. "What did you have in mind?"

The sun had set hours ago, many of the island's inhabitants having turned in for the night save for the Lotus Sentries that were currently on guard duty.

Sota snuck down the hallway quietly, making his way to his sister's room. As he came to the door, he gave a quiet patterned knock, the signal she told him to let her know that it was him. The door cracked open slightly, just enough for Sota to slip inside noiselessly before being pushed closed with a soft click.

Korra gave him a silent wave toward her window as she crossed the room. Sota followed behind her wordlessly, watching as she stood at the jarred window, watching the guards. Creeping up next to her, Sota ducked down as he looked under her arm that held the window open, watching the guard at the front as well. The two waited patiently for him to make his rounds and to secure the perimeter before making any more moves.

After a few minutes, the guard, satisfied that everything was all clear, began to walk away, continuing his sweep of the grounds. Korra turned to her brother, giving him a silent nod which he returned before following her out the window and onto the roof. Korra swiftly jumped down, landing quietly on her feet. Sota followed suit, landing next to her.

Once they were sure that the coast was clear, the two took off, heading straight for the cliff that lead to the bay. Without even bothering to stop, they jumped off, sailing over the beach and heading straight for the water. The two siblings quickly bent water upward toward their bodies as they came closer and closer to the surface, allowing it to engulf them and soften the impact to the point of it being nothing.

The water was cold and dark in the night, but this did nothing to hinder the two southerners who were use to much colder weather. Korra swiftly began to swim, holding her breath as she moved swiftly through the water. Sota followed behind her, using his waterbending to give himself an extra boost to keep up with her. The darkness made it harder for him to see her, but he kept up as best he could, swimming in the direction of the arena which was brightly lit for all to see.