Chapter 27: Warrior (3)

"Hey, paint at that spot!"

"No, that spot!"

In the large space between the entrance of the village and the rows of cottages and stalls, Nik found a group of toddlers giggling and pointing while two men had wooden ladders set on the sides of a woman's statue.

"Nik?" Katara was shopping by the stall. Seeing him, she walked up with fingers individually holding up bags and a basket full of dried meat and spices in her arms.

"Hey, here, let me take some of this," Nik picked the basket from Katara's arms and then looked at the two men refurbishing the statue of a woman with long brown hair. She wore face paint of white and red just like the Kyoshi Warriors and had a golden headdress on her forehead. Two golden war fans in her hands held in the same manner as the current warriors.

"She's the Avatar Kyoshi that the villagers talk about. It's kind of funny thinking of Aang as a brawny woman," Katara smiled and Nik chuckled.

"That's a lot of stuff you've bought," Nik looked at her hands as and she couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"I'm tired of gruel and fish stew in the village... and I haven't tried cooking other things. So this will be a new experience for me."

"Oh, hey girls, fancy seeing the two of you with fruits, meat, and veggies."

Sokka came snickering and Nik looked back. He could understand if it was a child or a teenager constantly making girl jokes but Sokka truly liked to milk that particular cow.

'Maybe he should try the bull sometimes... nope, Esta was right about this despite her abyss. Never make puns...' Nik closed his eyes, having a moment of silence himself, and then looked at Sokka, "It's actually good that both of you are here. I want to apologize for what happened over breakfast. To be precise, I'm not sorry for what I said, but how I said it."

"It's all... coolio," Sokka shrugged. He didn't seem to mind at all while Katara handed him half of the packages in her hands and smiled, "We're sorry, too. We should consider Aang's view at this, just like you said."

"Woah, woah, I'm not sorry. That's a dangerous mission and we shouldn't be doing it at all," Sokka scoffed and Nik shrugged. His objective of apologizing was never to hear the same thing back from the siblings but to clear his mind. He had misplaced his pent-up frustration on Aang and may even have indirectly let out the words that were meant for himself.

'Aang can do whatever he wants... and I, too, can.'

Nik looked towards the hill. He was already ready to learn how to defend himself and since Kyoshi Warriors certainly held a charming advantage over Sokka's guidance— technique.

"So? Where's Aang?"

"-- lp me!"

An echo attracted the trio as they looked up, Aang flying past them on his glider while a group of girls rushed past the trio, chasing after him.

"Huh... maybe this will set him straight. If he's running from girls then god forbid he encounters any tough monster further down the road," Nik mumbled and Sokka agreed.

"Anyways, I'll go to the cottage where the Kyoshi Warriors train. Suki said that she might just teach me some skills," Nik looked at the basket, "To the chief's house?"

"Sure," Katara nodded.

"Wait! You'll pick a bunch of women in make-up over me?" Sokka quickly followed.

"I'm not picking anyone. It's just that we're here only temporarily, right? I can try and learn a few things and then learn from you once again," Nik replied with ease.

"No way, nuh-uh!" Sokka snorted, "I'll test them myself. Maybe they're trying to make a fool of you. Katara knows it the best, women can be mean and dangerous. Heck, even Aang knows it now or he won't be running!"

"Gliding," Katara corrected, "And Sokka's right. Maybe the Kyoshi Warriors have something else in mind... you know, I will come with the two of you. If they're really teaching something, then I want to learn, too."

Nik shrugged. Both of them were right and Suki did seem oddly giddy while inviting him. He would characterize this to his charm but there was also a chance that he may have irked Suki by devouring her fans. So it was just right if the siblings wanted to tag along. One was an experienced fighter with a few smart comments about women and the other one happened to be a woman, balancing each other out.

---

As promised, Nik alongside Sokka and Katara walked uphill to the larger cottage. It was built better than the other residences in the village. Sturdier roof and a thicker platform barely rising from the one side due to the slope that gave stability to the cottage. The sound of rhythmic movements of clothes and the sharp edges of the war fans being spread and used echoed through the closed doors.

"Go on, you said you wanted to test them," Nik looked at Sokka.

"Damn right I do," Sokka narrowed his eyes. Standing in front of the door, he bent his waist back with his leg raised up, ready to kick down the door. For a moment, he stood there silently and then lowered his leg.

*Knock* *Knock*

Sokka knocked politely. Feeling the stares on his back, he look turned, "What? The village is already having trouble doing trading, the last thing they want is a reconstruction on their list of worries."

He wasn't wrong.

The sound of the women training came to a stop and the door slid open, revealing a women dresses in the proper 'Kyoshi' attire.

"What?" The woman answering the door inquired blandly.

"Who's Suki?" Sokka frowned.

"Can't you tell?" The woman raised her eyebrow.

"No, because all of you look the same," Sokka frowned as Nik looked over Sokka's shoulder, "Hey, Suki. I've come to take you on your deal, hope you don't mind Sokka's fervor to better his own skills by challenging you guys."

Suki, standing right in front of Sokka, smiled, "No worries. I will introduce you to everyone. Hey, wipe that scowl off your face already. We don't bite!" She frowned at Sokka.

"But you sure do cut," Sokka remarked as he looked at the shelves by the edge of the wall holding sheathed swords.

"Everyone," not replying to Sokka, Suki turned around, attracting everybody's attention. There were more than 12 warriors this time and the interior of the cottage was simply a large hall in the front, used for training, with a significant portion behind the wooden wall accessible by a door in the corner.

Aside from Suki and eleven other women, the rest of the group was comprised of young girls who looked at the trio curiously.

"Sokka is part of a 'close friend's' group and he wishes an exchange of skills. Who wants to—"

"No," Sokka instantly pointed at Suki, "I'll beat the leader. One on one. Last time you ambushed us with a greater number, I want to see if you're good without any help."

"Fine," Suki smirked and waved her hand back, signaling the group to move back in a semi-circle behind Suki while Katara cleared her throat, calling out, "You can do it chief!"

"Yes, just punch and run," Nik added with a smile.

As he said this, Nik began to observe Sokka and Suki. It was hard to observe the latter well due to Sokka blocking the view so he entered the Kyoshi Dojo and moved to the side where he could see both the fighters. Katara followed quickly, not minding standing in the warmer interior than the outside chill that had begun to spread due to the doors still being open.

"Are you ready?" Suki inquired, not taking any particular stance while Sokka held his fists close to his chest and neck.

"I can go easy on you if you want. Don't want bullying a woman on my conscience."

"And the said woman doesn't want your bullshit," Suki rolled her eyes.

Not speaking anymore, a little annoyed, Sokka punched out when everything 'collapsed.' Catching his wrist accurately, Suki instantly leaned forward, pressing her elbow onto Sokka's chest and kicking at his ankle, making his feet leave the firm comfort of the wooden floor as Sokka was left to fall on his back as Suki loosened her hold against his wrist.

A swift reply of this manner made Sokka stare at the ceiling in a daze. Katara had her lips parted in surprise. It wasn't this easy for any of the Kyoshi Warrior to tackle Sokka in the forest this morning.

"Had enough?" Suki inquired, leaning forward with her arms akimbo.

Brought out of his daze, Sokka sat up, shaking his head not to refuse but to clear his head and recall how he went down.

'Alright... elbow to the chest and a kick to the ankles,' he let out a grunt while standing up.

"Wait a minute," Sokka replied coolly as if he wasn't knocked down moments ago. Taking off his coat, Sokka handed it to Katara with the limp of his left foot now slightly visible despite him trying to suppress it.

While Nik's belted tunic had its edges reach his calves and was more form-fitting due to the fashion in demand with women, Sokka wore a full-sleeved tunic with its front placed one over another (like a kimono front) and held in place by a wrap of thin white cloth.

"I'm not gonna fall for the same tricks," Sokka's shoulders tensed up, his muscles tightly flexing as he grew ready to respond to any form of situation. Even his legs were parted and crouched, now harder to be moved easily.

Pickering her lips, Suki simply beckoned Sokka to attack. Revealing his skills through his actions, Sokka began with a swift left kick. Instead of invading Suki's space as he did previously only to lose, Sokka had one intention: to throw her off. His kick was aimed slightly away from her hand and towards her gloved fingers.

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Proving Sokka's expectations, Suki moved back a step and he followed with a right kick from the side. As his waist tilted accordingly and his left thigh twisted sideways to provide a greater 'snapping' force to his right kick, Suki's body bent completely. Her legs still straight but her shoulders reaching her calves. Her leg slid forward and tapped Sokka's left foot when she instantly moved and slapped the inner portion of Sokka's left thigh.

Afraid, Sokka quickly moved back and glared at the woman.

"Shouldn't you be thanking me? I could have done some serious damage," Suki replied without losing her smile and gestured a flicking motion with her right hand. After all, with that wide of an opening, she could have knocked Sokka's capable swimmers.

Veins popped over Sokka's temple and the flesh around above the corner of his lips and nostrils tightened, "Listen," he glowered in frustration due to the constant provocation, "You're mean!" he shouted before stomping loudly and walking out, his shoulders scrunched up.

"Sokka, your coat—" Katara called out.

"I don't want it!"

He shouted.

"You got to teach me that," Katara looked at Suki seriously, speaking once knowing that Sokka was out of earshot. Suki smiled in response, "Not so easily."

Walking forward, Suki closed the doors to the dojo and looked at the duo.

"There are a few reasons why I invited Nik. In fact, I would have invited you, Sokka, and the Avatar, too. The Chief had a request for the village and so do I. But I will keep that for later. What I'm trying to say is that you guys are weaker in combat because of the lack of technique. Knowing technique allows a body to respond properly. This is something that we, the Kyoshi Warriors can offer for the time being."

"What can we do for you, we have to know it before accepting any favors?" Katara inquired.

Suki looked at the others. Seeing distress streaking across the expressions of those she knew for years, Suki sighed softly, "It won't be burdensome, I promise. In fact, offering Avatar Kyoshi's teaching as a trade is unethical but... after the war, we all have pretty much broken the code already."

"Wouldn't it be easier to just explain things clearly?" Nik inquired.

"Girls, let's end today's session here. Neru, you should lead the team to patrol the docks and others will go through the forest," Suki pursed her lips and made everyone leave the dojo.

---

"Stupid girls, in their stupid green armor, and their stupid make-up and Kyoshi Blah-blah!" Sokka grunted, kicking against the snow as he strutted with a furious expression. 'She just had to be that flexible and when everything was starting to fall in line with the plan.'

Sokka came to a sudden stop as he saw the Village Chief walking uphill towards his direction, too.

"Ah, the Chief of Water Tribe's Village, you look worse than before. Is it the cold? Hmm, wearing thicker clothes like your coat is certainly advisable."

The man smiled and Sokka's lips twitched.

"I'm no chief, whatever, I'm going back to sleep. It's late," Sokka huffed when the man stopped him, "Fine, young man, do you want to see something amazing?"

The man inquired.

"What things?" Sokka inquired dubiously. He had enough of older individuals trying to lure him into their private spaces for illicit deeds so being alone with older people, especially women, keeps him on his toes.

"Avatar Kyoshi's weapons," the village chief replied.

"Oh, alright," Sokka nodded reluctantly. As they walked up, the group of Kyoshi warriors walked out in numbers. Seeing them, Sokka dodged their gazes and tried avoiding the slightly mocking smiles. Greeting the group, the village chief led Sokka to the small well-built hut on top of the hill.

"Avatar Kyoshi was the Young Avatar Aang's predecessor almost 400 years ago," the village chief spoke up, kindling the lamp post outside the hut and two other lamps inside the hut. The interior of the empty residence now dimly lit allowed Sokka to gaze at Avatar Kyoshi's personal effects.

"Those are her shoes?!" Sokka gasped as he looked at the size of the large boots. Easily twice his own size, he mused.

"Hehe, Avatar Kyoshi had the largest size of feet ever recorded for an Avatar," the Chief replied, a little smug about this accomplishment.

Inside the hut wasn't just a pair of shoes on the display. Large war fans, at least, larger than what the Kyoshi Warriors actually use. Sword and a shield. A large headdress and a few locked shelves.

"What was your name again?" The Chief inquired as he took a piece of clothing and began cleaning the items around.

"Hm? Sokka," he replied non-committally.

"Sokka, it may not be my concern, but you introduced yourself as the Chief of a village. What changed? It's a pleasant change of pace seeing youths being in such a position."

Sokka sighed sadly, "In my village, I was the strongest warrior. Well, I am the only warrior but still, I kept the village safe. I kept Katara safe... but here, all I got is defeat. How can I be the chief of the next generation of warriors if I'm not an unbeatable warrior myself?"

He inquired rhetorically. His tone already suggested that Sokka wasn't expecting an answer but the old man calmly replied, "A true warrior isn't a person who wins every battle that life throws at him, but he is the person who has the grit to stand after experiencing failure. No matter how many times he falls, or how hard he falls, a warrior always stands up."

Sokka grew quiet. If only life was so—

"But it is hard, Sokka. That image of a warrior is only right to those who have also experienced surrendering to defeats."

"I did not surrender to anything!" Sokka scowled instantly as the Chief turned slightly and chuckled, "Then you will stand up surely, this time, wiser. Being a warrior, after all, is a path that never ends for an individual.

It was Suki who beat you out of shape, right?"

The chief inquired and Sokka nodded with a groan.

"Find empathy in your heart, Young Chief. After all, how would you act if you're bound to an island, shackled by doctrines while wishing to change the situation of those around you?"

"Frustrated," Sokka answered with ease.

"And thus Suki vents," The old man explained, "After the war, when the Phoenix Procession led past our island, they failed to find anything of value. To them, even the relics of Old Avatar mean nothing because of one supreme ruler now existing.

But on that day itself, there were a few Kyoshi Warriors of other villages who attacked the innocent informants. Attacking the innocent out of frustration for losing their loved ones to the war... that broke Kyoshi's code. We managed to reason with the messengers. They weren't ill-tempered and traveling around seeing other's misery had softened them a great deal so the island wasn't troubled later. And from then on..."

---

"... I have wanted to leave the island and help those who cannot fend off for themselves.

The Kyoshi island is protected. There are many Kyoshi warriors who will serve the general populace to redeem for actions taken on impulses. But I cannot help and keep myself from wondering, did Avatar Kyoshi really want this from us?

I don't dream of rebelling. And I don't dream to overthrow. But I do dream to help where there are no others who can but only accept cruel treatments.

Avatar Kyoshi separated the Kyoshi Island. Maybe it was because of consequences I have yet to imagine, but seeing your group, I, too, want to leave. If possible, I want to leave with you guys and help the Avatar in whatever he deems right to do."

Suki sat on her knees and had her palms resting on her thighs. She explained everything and Katara couldn't help but acknowledge some of the things Suki said. However, Katara wanted more. For personal reasons, she did not want to see the Fire Nation on top of everything.

"And you will teach us regardless of what Aang decides?" Katara inquired.

"I will not be teaching the core techniques of the band. Every Kyoshi Warrior swears their honor to not teach such things to outsiders or men. But the Kyoshi warriors were created to teach the needy and the defenseless. You both also happen to fulfill the latter conditions. So, I might be persuaded to seriously tutor the two of you if you both promise to follow the code of Kyoshi Warriors."

Suki's words made Nik speak up.

"Alright. When can I begin?"

"Hey, you didn't even hear their code of conduct," Katara rolled her eyes as Nik smiled, "How bad can it be?"

"Very well," Suki smiled, "I will take out the facepaint. And Katara?"

"... Fine, I guess."

Suki walked into the adjacent room while Nik looked at Katara curiously.

"Did Suki just say facepaint?"

With a smirk, Katara spoke mockingly, "Relax, how bad can it get, right?"

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