Wandering Firebender

Eighty Six: Distancing

Elio's airship returned to the Fire Nation and everyone promptly entered into the palace, going off in different directions. Elio went straight for the throne room to meet with Fire Lord Zuko. Alger went over to a neighboring airship to meet with Koda, Nezu, and Marx.

Cindra and Sri made their way back towards the rooms. Although they were walking together, they weren't speaking – Sri wasn't sure what the deal was, but she knew that something had gone down between her and Elio.

Whatever it was, it had to be bad for Cindra to be like this. She was trying to muster up the nerve to ask about it, but before she did, a familiar face passed by and stopped to greet them.

"Hey! There you are! I heard you guys had just gotten back from a mission," Suki said, meeting up with them as they were walking into the entrance to their wing. "It's good to see you again!" She said with a smile, giving both Sri and Cindra a quick hug.

"Oh hey, Suki! It's good to see you too! How've you been? How are Aang and the others?" Sri asked excitedly.

"Um, I'm not sure. They've been out, I haven't seen them in a little while." She admitted.

"That's too bad. How've you been though?" Cindra asked, speaking politely but keeping her arms folded in front of her.

"I've been good. I'm actually on my way to a training session with some of the Kyoshi Warriors," She brought up. "Wanna come? Well, you guys must be tired, right?" She assumed since they had just gotten back. However, they both shook their heads.

"Actually, that sounds great! I gotta keep working at my fighting style." Sri said with a smile, bringing her fists up in front of her as if ready to fight.

"I'll come too. I don't have any plans." Cindra answered with a shrug.

"Alright, follow me then." Suki smiled and walked between them, leading them back the other way. They walked through the halls towards an outdoor training area where other Kyoshi Warriors were already practicing formations.

"Why are there so many Kyoshi Warriors here?" Cindra asked curiously.

"Zuko opened his doors to us so that we have a place to stay when we're not assisting with relief work in the Earth Kingdom. It's much nicer than staying in tents." Suki commented with a laugh.

"Really? That's awesome. The Fire Lord is really generous." Sri commented with a smile.

"Oh yeah, Zuko is super sweet," Another Kyoshi Warrior chimed in, doing a cartwheel and a side flip as she joined up with the girls. "I haven't seen him in awhile!" She giggled.

"Oh? You know him?" Cindra asked curiously.

"Yeah! We're friends!" She answered with a laugh, "Oh sorry, where are my manners? I'm Ty Lee. What're your names?" She asked.

"I'm Cindra. Nice to meet you, Ty Lee." Cindra shook hands with her politely – she wasn't necessarily in the mood for Ty Lee's cheerful attitude right now, but she did still appreciate it.

"It's a pleasure, Ty Lee. Suki mentioned you before. You're the...you chi-block, right?" Sri recalled. Ty Lee grinned widely and nodded, showing a little bit of pride.

"Yep! I taught everyone how to do it too! All the Kyoshi Warriors here, and even Elio!" She brought up in a matter of fact way, since she knew that they knew him.

"Oh?" Cindra's head perked up at this. However, before Ty Lee could elaborate further, Suki changed the subject.

"Alright, everyone. Let's get started with some formations." Suki raised her voice to address the group of Kyoshi Warriors in the training area. Everyone began to line up. Cindra, Sri, and Ty Lee all exchanged glances before lining up with the others.