The Dual Bender

1

"YUE!" I giggled running to her. She watched me slide in the snow. My white hair mirrored hers but hers was styled and mine was not. She smiled at me softly.

"Kida!" She hugged me and I grinned.

"Master Pakku yelled at me today! Said I'd be nothing like Shui! But I'm better I'm literally a master myself! I hate our rules." She just chuckled. Yue was three years older then me but she was my best friend. We always did stuff together, even though her dad didn't much like me. He thinks I'm going to get her hurt.

"You say that all the time, let's take a boat ride and talk." I nodded and we climbed onto the boat that was brought to us.

    "I don't even need water to bend I just boom and it's there and he still believes he's better then me. And not to mention the you know what! Like why can't I train with the men. The fire nation will attack sooner or later!" She sighed.

    "Women are healers. I know you're strong but you can't just be angry at the world every day. Our laws are set in place for a reason." I groaned and nodded slightly.

     "Let's get something to eat." I combed my fingers through my hair as we stopped at a little restaurant. We climbed off and walked inside. She smiled softly as we sat down. I removed my coat and smiled.

    "Here's your tea-aren't you cold?" I giggled at the boys statement and shook my head.

     "The cold doesn't bother me. And besides it's kind of warm in here." He nodded and then we ordered some noodles mine with attic hen and hers with fish.

    As we ate and talked I noticed her face fall. I didn't want to upset her more so I waited. I watched her eyes slightly glaze over while I played with my amulet.

    "So daddy dearest still plan on marrying you off?" She stiffened. "I'll take that as a yes. Maybe you should tell him you like girls." I winked and she crinkled her nose.

    "That's a lie and I have to do whats best for my people."

    "Your birthday is in a week so you have time to let me dangle that pretty little necklace over a candle." She shook her head and we began to leave. I put my coat back on and then we went our separate ways.

    "Pakku." I yelled. "I would like to spar with the only other master that could even stand longer then two minutes." He waved me off and turned back to his students.

     "I'm in a class. And females are healers not fighters." I growled and then melted his seat sending him to the ground. I sent a water whip at him then smiled.

    "I think your students would like to see you get your butt kicked by a 12 year old." I smirked. He stood up and sent an ice shard at me. I simply flicked it away with my hand. I removed my coat and did a hand stand swiping water up with my foot sending it straight at him full force. He groaned as he flopped back.

     "Kida!" The chief snapped at me seeing this Pakku stand from the fountain.

    "No, I can handle this child." I giggled and spun around quickly lifting up in a water spout. I froze it while sending Pakku a rough wave.

     "I am a child. But I am also a girl! And I WIN!" I screamed slamming the wave down on him, trapping him in ice. I came down and unmelted him. "Stop being a sexist pig. You're in you're 70s a master for many years. I am 12 the Chei of this generation. You will not continue treating women like an outcast. So either you train the girls or I will. I'm done listening to your rules!" My amulet glowed along with my face markings while I spoke.

    "Kida!"

    "No Chief! I am sick of being treated like I don't belong! I am the strongest water bender alive. Not only am I a water bender I'm an air bender. Stop being a bloody idiot and see that I'm the best bender here! When the fire nation attacks you'll be begging for my help!" The glow ceased and I walked away.

    "Where have you been?!" My brother said. I gave him a look and sighed.

    "Shui, I can handle myself." He sighed and hugged me.

    "I know but when our parents died, I just feel the need to protect you." I went to my room and tensed.

    Our parents both died three months after I was born. My mom had gotten sick and my father had challenged the wrong person and was murdered.

    "Are you hungry?" My brother asked as he knocked on my ice door.

     "No. I ate with Yue."

"Okay." I sighed and brought my knees to my chest as I looked at the picture of my parents with my brother and I. I grabbed my mothers song book.

I flipped through the book and smiled softly. Mother I wish I would have heard you sing. I jumped out of my window and ran towards the gate. This is for you mom.

"All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here suddenly I see
Standing here it's all so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be
And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different." Tears pricked my eyes and I sat there.

"That was pretty." A guard said as he sat beside me. I wiped my face and held the book to my chest. "You're a great singer."

"Thank you." I finally looked up. He was a guy roughly two years older then me. "I know you."

"Yeah. Considering my father is the Chiefs brother." I giggled and stood.

"Well my name is Kida."

"Erikk." He reached his arm out and I shook his arm slightly then giggled.

"So why are you up here this late?" He chuckled.

"Well I'm sort of on duty." I blushed in embarrassment then nodded. "What about you?"

"My mom used to sing up here with my dad." He nodded. "She's gone so I thought I'd... start doing it."

"I heard you're the dual bender. Or should I say the Chei." I just huffed. Of course that would be brought up.

    "Yeah. But until the Avatar is found I have no idea what to do."

   "Which means you're still single." My face flushed and I rolled my eyes.

    "There is no way I'm changing that anytime soon." He tensed. "My brother would kill you the moment you asked me on a date."

    "Who said he has to know."

      "Me. I'm sorry. I'm going home." I began walking away only for my hand to be grabbed.

     "Wait umm!"

     "Yes?" I turned back only to be pulled into him.

     "One dance at Yue's party is all I ask." I tensed and moved out of his arms.

     "I'll think about it." I ran away and jumped off the wall. Like boy bye. I would rather jump into the ocean. I don't even know how to SWIM!

    "Where were you?"

    "On the gate."

    "Singing." I nodded.

    "Erikk tried making a move." His eyes widened as his fists clenched.

    "Not with my baby sister!" I giggled and jumped onto his back.

    "Make me noodles." He made a face and nodded. "Then you can tell me more about mom!"

     "Fine."