As The Wind Blows

Morning Training

Kai felt the wind flow through his fingers as he steered his glider through the air.

He was headed to training on the highest mountain in the northern air temple. His suit clung to him as he dove as he neared the top.

He was greeted by all of the other 17-year-olds with laughs and smiles. But everyone went silent when someone cleared their throat.

A girl the same age stood at the front of the group, the blue tattoos reflecting on her fair skin. Her chestnut eyes, like her hair, were usually soft and sparkling but this time they were firm. She had the same suit as everybody else.

"You're late," Jinora said in a harsh voice.

"I'm sorry, master," Kai exaggerated a bow. "I got distracted by a hurt baby bison! Of course, I had to help." He said with a smirk. Still leaning over, he gave her the slightest wink, that no one else saw but her. Kai saw a faint rose appear on her cheeks, but only briefly as she turned around and said,

"See me after the lesson, student Kai." She said, stern with a hint of teasing.

Their lesson was about control on coming down from the mountainside. It seemed easy, but you had to maintain that control.

Jinora made it first, being more experienced, without any problem. Yet her students were bouncing and flopping all across the mountainside. Kai hit a few bumps before safely getting down. Soon everyone joined him.

Jinora opened her mouth, probably to tell them to do it again, but the air temple bell rang, meaning lunch. Everyone looked to their master.

"Class dismissed. Except for you Kai." Everyone gave him a sympathetic look before taking off towards the Great Hall.

Kai turned toward Jinora. She was facing out, looking across the mountains. The wind blew in her face, her short hair flowing perfectly as it always did. She was beautiful. Kai always wanted to tell her that but never had enough courage.

"Why were you late today? The real reason." She turned toward him, frowning. Kai looked away. He knew if he looked at her, he would immediately tell her the truth.

"I accidentally slept in."

She sighed. "For someone who makes great comebacks, you are a terrible liar."

She suddenly grabbed his arm and pushed his sleeve up revealing bruises all the way up his arm. She gasped and took a step back.

"What happened? What did you do?" Her disapproving look was replaced by worry. He hated her looking like this. He pulled his sleeve back down as he sighed.

"Those idiots were bullying Lane again. I may have stepped in and taken a few punches."

"A few? Those were a lot! And only on your arm! Is it like this on your whole body?" She reached out and touched his chest, only to pull back, a little flustered.

"Why can't we report them again?" She asked angrily, walking out towards the edge of the cliff they were on.

"Because their parents are high in status here, and if we try, they won't get any punishment for it," Kai answered, just as furious. Jinora suddenly took a deep breath and turned.

"Well, we gotta find a way to help this kid." Determination glistened in her eyes and she smiled. This was the face he loved the most about her.

"C'mon lets go get lunch." His master said and took off on her glider toward the temple. He was about to do the same when he heard a voice behind him say, "You need to tell her."

He turned to look up a tree to see Ikki, Jinora's sister, smiling. The girl still kept her dark hair in little buns atop her head.

"Tell her what?" He asked, slightly confused.

"That you like her!" She almost screamed. He looked away at some bush, a slight blush appearing on his face.

"Like her? Psh. No way."

"Ugh. She was right. You are a terrible liar." Ikki laughed.

"Fine. I like her. But how am I going to tell her? And she probably doesn't like me back." He looked down. Ikki suddenly started laughing so hard, she almost fell out of the tree. When she looked back at him, he had a confused face. Why was she laughing?

She looked blankly at him for a whole second before asking, "Wait, you're serious? You never- all the times she- oh my goodness. You two are unbelievable." She exclaimed. "Just tell her okay. She needs to hear it from you."

"Fine."

"Thank you. Now I better head back. Lunch is almost over!" He scowled as Ikki leaped away with her glider.