Avatar: The Return of The Songbirds

Chapter Twenty-One - Hide And Seek

"I wonder what's taking them so long?" Tsovey groaned.

"They'll be here." Vialo stated firmly. "Remember they have to make sure their leader doesn't know we are out here. Give them time." Vialo exclaimed, a tinge of nervousness echoing within every word.

"Vialo, she is just bored." Tatal chimed in. "Chris said he would teach her a game, she was looking forward to it." She continued, placing her arm around Vialo's neck and pulling her into a hug. "They have yet to go back on their word." She chuckled. "And I think they will make sure to keep to their promise." Tatal finished walking over to Henilo. "Henilo, can you help me gather more wood? We're running low." She requested.

"Sure." He replied quickly, following behind his sister.

"Solko, you're in charge till we get back." Tatal exclaimed, before entering into the forest.

"Alright, let's eat some lunch while we wait for them." Solko exclaimed with a smile. The four girls made their way inside and played some games with Tsovey to keep her occupied in the meantime.

"Vialo!" Chris's voice could be heard in the distance.

"They came!" Tsovey screeched, running towards the trees.

"Hey, sorry we're so late! Our general threw us a curveball!" Chris stated, trying to catch his breath.

"Chris!" Tsovey shouted, jumping onto him.

"Oh!" Chris exclaimed, falling backwards and landing on his butt in an attempt to make sure Tsovey didn't hurt herself. "Well hello to you too!" Chris chuckled, giving her a hug.

"I was afraid you guys weren't going to come!" Tsovey whined, walking over to Nick and giving him a hug.

"No, we promised to teach you a game, remember?" Nick chuckled, lifting Tsovey off the ground.

"And we keep our promises." Matt added, patting Tsovey on the back. Tsovey giggled in response and leaned over to Matt so she could give him a hug as well, before Nick placed her feet back on the ground.

"What is the game?" Tsovey asked, running back to Vialo, and taking hold of her hand.

"Do you know what hide and seek is?" Chris asked.

"I do not think so." Sakire replied.

"Okay these are the rules...wait where is Tatal and Henilo?" Chris questioned.

"They will be back soon, they are just gathering some firewood." Vialo replied with a smile. Chris felt his face get hot and quickly looked away from the young girl.

"I see, okay well the rules!" Chris continued, clearing his throat making everyone laugh in the process. "One person is the seeker, and the rest hide." Chris explained.

"That's it?" Tsovey asked, tilting her head to the side. "That should be easy." She giggled.

"It can be, but it can be hard to find someone who finds a good hiding spot." Nick warned.

"That is true, let's wait for Tatal and Henilo to get back!" Tsovey proclaims, running into the house.

"Okay, we can do that." Chris chuckles, following the family into the common area. The wait wasn't long. Only ten minutes later Tatal and Henilo emerged from the dense trees, arms filled with large pieces of wood.

"Oh good they're here! Chris, could you guys help us out?" Tatal exclaimed, with a sigh.

"Yeah!" Chris replied, shooting up from the ground and running over to take half of Tatal's load. Nick and Matt close behind to help.

"Thank you, that weighed more than I expected." Tatal admitted. "Henilo, why didn't you let us know how labor inducing that was?" Tatal chuckled.

"I don't mind doing it. You guys do everything else." Henilo replied with a smile. "It is the least I can do." He added.

"Well, if you ever need help, tell us. That is a lot of work for one person." Tatal ordered.

"I will." Henilo groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Okay well everyone is here now so let's play that game!" Tsovey cheered.

Chris laughed at how eager Tsovey was and nodded. After reiterating the rules to Tatal and Henilo the group was ready to play. "Okay so Henilo, you are the seeker." Chris verified.

"Yes." Henilo replied quickly.

"Okay, Henilo will count to thirty. After that, he will look for us." Chris smiled. "First one found is the next seeker." He finished looking over at Henilo. "Start." and with that they scattered. Henilo counted at a steady pass as his family disappeared around him.

Chris quickly realized that Tsovey was hot on his tail. "Tsovey, you're supposed to find your own hiding spot." Chris laughed.

"I know...but I'm scared." Tsovey confessed. "I've never been this far away from home before." She stated softly.

Chris let out a quiet sigh before taking hold of Tsovey's hand. "Well come one then, he should be done counting by now!" He joked. "We have to hide." Tsovey giggled following Chris behind a fallen tree that had a large hole carved out of it. This should do just fine, now all we have to do is be quiet and wait." Chris exclaimed with a smile.

"Do you think Henilo with find us?" Tsovey questioned.

"I think we got lucky with this spot. I wouldn't think to look here, so I think we will be the winners." Chris proclaimed with a goofy look on his face that made Tsovey giggle. The two sat quietly and waited for any sign that they won.