Avatar:Folk tale of an earthbender{Book One:Earth}

Chapter 15: Airbender island

As the bison landed, Kaori awoke, rubbing her eyes, and looked around. "Are we here? Are we here?" She said eagerly, sliding down. As the bison landed, about 8 people ran over. "Dad!" Tenten said excitedly, running into the arms of a man. He was tall, roughly in his early 50's, and he had blue arrows going throughout his body. "Welcome back, Tenten" He said, patting his head. A boy, around the same age as her stood by his side, he had airbender tattoos, much like her. He immidietly caught Kaori's attention. He was tall, with grey eyes, and short brown hair, and a striking smile. He had sharp features, and wore an airbender wing suit. She stared at him, completely captivated by just his looks. "Oh my.."

"Father! You won't believe who I brought back with me!" Tenten said, leading the tall man towards Kaori. "Oh, new air alcolytes? This is sudden, but I'm sure-" Tenten spoke up, interrupting him. "The AVATAR" She said loudly, as multiple people looked over at them. The man blinked, tilting his head. "Is this another one of your pranks? I enjoy one here and there but-" Tenten stopped him, once again. "Come on! Show us! I swear! She said it earlier!" Tenten said hopefully.

Kaori looked around, with a confused expression, before shaking her head. "Oh! Sorry! I'll get a move on-" She said, lowering her body to the ground, as a large boulder, about the size of a football came from the ground, and it crushed upon impact with her fist. "Eh?" She smiled widely. The man spoke up, sighing. "That doesn't prove anything, I'm sorry, Tenten, but your little friends can't-" Kaori interrupted him. "Gimme a minute! I need to get all warmed up!" She jogged in place for a few moments, as everyone watched with a confused expression. She held her hands out, furrowing her brow. And.....a tiny, barely noticeable spark appeared. "Aye?" She looked around.

Tenten clapped, clasping Kaori's hands in hers. "Did ya see that! I told you!" The man shook his head, seemingly lost for words. "Oh my...I...Zian! Go get your mother! The avatar has returned! She's gonna be ecstatic!" The boy nodded, running off. "So it's true...I...I'm sorry...I'm Meelo. I'm Tenten's father. And one of the airbending masters here on Airbender island." He said, reaching out his hand to shake hers. She stared at him for a moment, confused by the sudden mood shift. "Ohhh...I'm Kaori...and this is my bestest friend Daiki!" She said, practically picking him up. "Bestest friend?" He said, tilting his head. "I can't say only friend! That sounds weird!" She whispered. "Uh huh." Daiki said, shaking off her grip.

A woman, roughly in her late 40's ran out of the temple, she was gasping for breath and looked around. "Is it true? Are they here?" She said, looking around with hopeful eyes. "Is she talking about me?" Kaori said, looking over Tenten's shoulder at the woman. "Oh my...is that her?" The woman said, reaching out her hand towards her. She was trembling, as if she were about to cry. The man patted her on the shoulder. "Oh my...so it is true...I was...I was so scared that the cycle wouldn't continue..since the connection to the past avatars is gone...but....You're really here!" She said pulling Kaori into a hug.

Kaori stared up at her, with a confused expression. "Jin...ora?" She muttered, not fully aware what was going on, or what she was saying. The woman patted her head, wiping a tear from her eye. "I can't believe it.." She shook her head. "I'm Kaori." She said. "And I'm Jinora. This is my son Zian, I've...been waiting for you!" She said, smiling warmly. Kaori looked around, at what to her seemed like a hundred people looking at her with hopeful eyes. "I......yes. uhm...I was....hoping to...learn...or.." She was trembling, clenching her fists as she tried her hardest to take no notice of the people around her. "Could we talk in private?" She said nervously. Jinora looked around, nodding. "I understand." She said, leading Kaori inside the air temple.

"Zian, lead the avatar's friend to the boys dorms. I have business to attend to." Meelo said, walking towards the air temple. Meelo was tall, with grey eyes and a dark brown beard, his expression was grim, almost intimidating, but when he was with his daughter, his face lit up with pride and happiness. "Yes, Uncle." Zian said. "Follow me." He said bluntly, walking onward. "This place is really lively" He said, looking around at, the passing people. "Believe it or not, it used to be a lot more crowded! But, with less benders being born...and fewer people truly wanting to become masters or learn about airbending culture...it shrunk over time...who knows why.." He said, looking around and waving at someone in the distance. "That's a sh-" Zian interrupted Daiki. "But it's exactly why I'm working with my family to preserve airbender culture!" Zian said energetically, with a welcoming smile. "What brings you to airbender island?" He asked. "Well..y'know. Kaori's my friend and all...I kinda just wanted to help her, and I promised her that I would..so...yeah. That's why." He said. Zian nodded. "Ah. I like people who keep their word." He said cheerfully. "Uh huh. And you're Tenten's....brother?" He guessed. "Close. Cousin. But we might aswell be siblings. We're best friends. Plus we got our tats together" He said proudly, showing off his airbender tattoos. Zian was tall, just an inch or so taller than Daiki, and downright gorgeous, not only that, he had a natural air of prowess and confidence coming from him. Though he was basically perfect, it was for that reason that Daiki felt intimidated by him. He was almost too perfect.

"KODA, I'M GONNA KICK YOU ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE SOUTERN WATER TRIBE. GET OFF OF THE BISON!"

A woman could be heard shouting down the hallway, as thundering footsteps could be heard. Before Zian or Daiki could say a thing, two baby Sky bison sped through the hallway, with two boys on their backs. One was had a russet-brown complexion, along with dark brown hair and blue eyes. The other was thin with pale skin and amber eyes, along with light brown hair. Daiki swiftly dodged, laughing a bit. "Quiet. Huh."

A tall, toned, woman came running after them, she was pale, with almond brown hair, and grey eyes resembling Zian's. Her hair was short, with one side of it shaved off, along with a scar across her nose. "Those runts...I swear I'm gonna kill one of them some day...anywho...who's this stringbean?" She said, eyeing Daiki warily. "Didn't someone tell you?" The Avatar has returned!" Zian said with a wide smile. Her eyes widened, as she was taken aback. "Korra?" She said, as if tears were about to well up in her eyes. Zian's smile dropped, and he patted her shoulder understandingly. "Her name is Kaori. And she seems great. This is her friend-" Zian spoke calmly, but by the time he was halfway through his sentence, she'd ran down the corridor.

"She's great, isn't she? That's my older sister, Maya" Zian said proudly. "She holds the record for youngest airbender in history to receive the mastery tattoos at 9 years old! My mom jinora holds the second place mark, and her grandfather, avatar Aang holds the 3rd place mark." He said, smiling proudly. Daiki raised an eyebrow. "I didn't ask. But. Good to know" He said, smiling awkwardly.

Meanwhile
"I just...can't believe it!" Jinora exclaimed with a warm smile. "I'll  have to tell Asami! And Ikki! And of course Mako! And Bolin! And Su-" She had such a warm, geniune smile on her face as she spoke, Kaori felt bad for interrupting her. "I....want to keep it private...for now.." She said, looking down at her feet. All was quiet for a few moments until Kaori spoke again. "....But! If you have to! I guess you..or...I don't.. or...sorry." Jinora stopped, smiling, and patting her back understandably. "I...understand. It's hard to be in the public eye. Especially for a teenager." She muttered. The room once again went quiet, until Jinora broke the silence. "Do you want  some tea?" She asked hopefully. "Tea? Tea actually sounds...nice?"

Jinora smiled warmly, though there was an obvious air of awkwardness in the room. Her smile was warm, kind, the kind of smile that instantly would make those who see it smile, it was infectious, and strangely familar to Kaori. "So...why did you want to talk?" Kaori asked hopefully. "I was...very close with Korra. I met her when I was 9 years old and she...made me who I am!" She said, smiling with glee. "After Korra's death..I was afraid that the cycle had been broken. Because..you see, a long time ago. Over 40 years ago, actually, Korra lost her connection to her past lives." Jinora said, her voice shaking. Kaori's eyes widened. "So...Avatar Aang? Avatar Kyoshi? They're-"

"Gone."

Jinora interrupted. "But. Don't be afraid. Korra is still there to guide you every step of the way. And I'm here!" She said smiling.

Kaori looked down feeling a rock grow in her chest. "It's okay." She whispered to herself, as Daiki's voice echoed through her head.

Noticing her expression, Jinora patted her shoulder. "You came at the perfect time." She said. "Wh- How?" Kaori said, almost taken aback.

"We're planning an invasion"