Chapter 2: Yue and the water spirits

It was about a month after Pakku gave up on making me a skilled water bender. 

The weather was perfect, and it was a quiet night. Only two of us were present in the dining room eating dinner quietly. Pakku and I don't speak much. Maybe he thinks talking to a two-year-old is strange.

Before long, a messenger came running from the royal palace.

Technically it should be called a chieftain's house since the head of the water tribe was called chief instead of a king. 

The messenger whispered something to my grandfather.

Grandfather's expression changed into grave concern. Pakku was an expressionless type. So if he shows them, mostly it means that something serious happened. 

He turned to me and softly remarked," Arisu, I will be going with uncle here to the palace for some time. Would you be a good boy and sleep after eating? If you do so, I will be sure to bring candies when I return." 

I just nodded to show my consent. He made sure to inform the maid girl to take care of me while he was running to the palace in a hurry. 

Arisu; means righteous and kind. One of the few things my mother left for me. Usually, women don't have the right to name their children in the northern water tribe as it's the father's duty.

It's common in any patriarchal society. 

I was, of course, an exception. My father was away while I was born, so my mother gave me a temporary one, but it became permanent since my father never returned. 

Even though it is technically a girl's name, I still like it. Maybe, she didn't realise I was a boy while giving me this name since she died minutes later. It must have been hard for her to do even that. 

I could at least accept it as a form of respect for the woman that gave birth to me. 

That night many people were awake for various reasons. The whole Nobel district was in chaos. And why would they not be? 

The chief had a girl, but chances are that she would not survive till morning. Healers were doing everything they could, but the options kept decreasing with the night. 

I slept very peacefully after eating my share until around 2 O'clock when it happened. 

I always knew I was living in the same city where water spirits were living, but their presence was never as clear to me as it was now. 

I could feel their aura radiating from the spirit pond inside the palace to my residence. It was like standing at the edge of a small nuclear blast. 

It was both breathtaking and familiar. I knew this feeling. It was weak in comparison, but it was the same feeling I get while standing before a cosmic being or monster. 

While it didn't last for more than 5 minutes, it was enough for me to get curious about the spirits. 

Now that I had this feeling, I finally understood how Steve Rogers had felt about his life. Now his words made so much more sense than they used to make before.

Well, the saying, 'a soldier cannot truly retire from the war front.' is true. You get used to the feeling of adrenaline that you cannot forget. Always wishing to return to that same place. 

But it was a long-term goal that I am not even sure of achieving. I was not capable enough to be invited before the water spirits right now. I could have that opportunity in the future, but not today. 

The next day, Pakku returned, bringing one of the few delights in this boring life that I have right now. It was not often that you would see him show expressions. So, everyone in the home was shocked because he expressed confusion and surprise, which persisted until dusk.

Well, he did witness the princess getting saved by the water spirits by giving her the identity of half-spirit. It must have been a sight to see for him. 

Everyone in the capital celebrated the birth of the princess.

The princess was named Yue. The event of her birth quickly spread among the masses. The chef announced a festival to celebrate the grace that spirits have bestowed upon him by saving his daughter's life.

I get to eat food I don't eat often, so even I was grateful for the princess. Recently, I've developed a bit of an appetite.

Since there wasn't much to do to pass the time, one of my few hobbies has become trying new foods. As a result, I've become chubby, and Pakku was pleased with the outcome.

He gave me some freedom in this area, presumably since it's the only thing I have in common with kids my age.

Pakku started sending me to school alongside other children from nobility once I turned 3-years old. Although, hardly a couple of months later, he had to stop sending me to school. 

I was too smart for kids my age and a few years older, and my teacher was afraid to put me in the advanced class with the older students out of concern that I may face bullying.

In the end, Pakku decided to hire an instructor so I could get home-schooled. 

Just like that, a few years passed, and I am now 5. I had lost my chubbiness because Pakku started to train me in Basic Martial Arts. I was happy to co-operate with him for two reasons.

I felt a sense of belonging because the training brought back memories of my past. Second, it has never been implied that being a foodie entails being overweight. Just exercise as much as you do to eat.

I was certainly quite cute for a child and am sure I would grow to be handsome too. 

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Black eyes and soft and smooth black hair. White skin which still retains a bit of softness of childhood though I most likely lose it in a few years. 

My body structure was well-defined too. A 4/5 upper body and legs ratio. If I do not make any mistakes, I will grow taller. 

While usually, your birthdays are not that important of an event in this world. There were a few exceptions. Your 5th and 16th birthdays are celebrated, usually. 

16th because it was your coming of age birthday and 5th because you have survived the most terrible time of your life. It was a happy occasion as most children who pass away usually do so before they are 5.

You were given gifts depending on your family's financial power. Pakku was by no means an average individual. He was a General in the northern water tribe army and one of the best water-bending masters, if not the best.

He has amassed a fortune comparable to a noble family's level in his lifetime. He even has the right to invite the chief to the gathering.

But he didn't. He believed in the ideology that kids raised in a wealthy and powerful environment most often than not produce ungrateful bastards that were vermin for society. 

Nobody was invited. And there was no big event. The only difference was that I could order whatever I wanted for dinner, and all the servants were allowed to join us.

"Arisu...you are now mature enough to begin properly studying martial arts." Pakku croaked to capture everyone's attention.

"Every male is required to learn the skill of self-defense from a young age. This is due to the War with Fire Nation. So that they might be immediately conscripted in the army to defend our tribe if necessary."

"Although I believe you would make a better scholar than a soldier, all knowledge is beneficial. You will immediately begin training with your peers in the military courtyard." It  Isn't a bad idea at all.  I've been bored at home for some time.

"Also, your instructor will not be coming to teach you from now on. It's time to start socializing with your peers and making new friends. Being alone would increase your isolation." He severely explained. 

"As you wish, Grandfather." I nodded, and he appeared a little distressed before shaking his head and returning to his meal.

(Pakku P.O.V)

It would not be wrong to say that Arisu was abnormal. 

I was apprehensive that it would be a chore when I opted to adopt him into my household until he could care for himself independently.

I've never been fond of kids. They lack self-control, are easily angered, and cry frequently. Little blobs of mayhem that, just for my wellbeing, I like to keep as far away as possible.

But Arisu was vastly different than any child I have seen. It was like he had only the good parts of a child. Like any other young kid, he was naturally curious and enjoyed exploring new areas.

Loves making stuff out of anything he can discover by himself, yet he is well-mannered and follows my instructions.

I have never seen him make a tantrum. He was like a little soldier. At first, I was thrilled. 

Even after knowing that he was not a bender, I was not that disappointed. Because  I knew he would succeed in life with how he is. 

But as time passed, I realised watching other children mingle with each other, maybe being so disciplined, is not good. 

From the moment, he was born, he had lived alone, confined to a home where adults are preoccupied with their duties. That was not a great way to bring up kids.

I have never seen him have fun. I still remember my childhood and youth as one of my fondest memories. 

I want him to experience the same thing. So he could also grow emotionally at the same time as he grows mentally and physically.

I then decided on his 5th birthday. He would study with his peers. 

Children are little balls of mayhem, yet they can also help someone open their hearts. All I can hope for is that Akira grows to love them and learns to laugh with them.

I wonder if I married at that time, would our grandchild be of similar age as Akira? 

" Master Taku." The royal guard bowed his head in respect while knocking on my door. 

"What happened?", He was one of my old students. I remember that he was the most rebellious of his peers and now look at him, the time has made him disciplined. 

"Chief Arnook has summoned you. The 24th battalion has finally returned after completing their mission against the fire nation navy." He respectfully replied. 

"Hmm, how many casualties?" I asked as I followed him into the pathway. 

"Only eight warriors and three benders perished, and only a few warriors and one bender need medical attention."He told me. 

We have been losing numbers on every mission. Their new ships are becoming very hard to deal with.

(Editor: AzuraD)

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