Chapter 28: Warrior (4)

Suki was quick to bring a set of dark-green outfit with two cups of paint— one red and one white— stably placed on top of the clothing. Setting them in front of Nik, Suki smiled, "To begin with a Kyoshi Warrior's training, you must dress like one. I picked this size for you and although the inner tunic is slightly form-fitting, you can choose to skip it and wear the outer tunic alongside the armor. And then I will help the two of you wear the face paint."

"Two of us?" Katara questioned and Suki looked at her with a smile.

"You do want to learn how to fight, right?"

"Fine, I get it," Katara sighed.

"Please come to the other side then."

Suki stood up, leading Katara to the adjacent room. As they left, Nik sighed and slipped out of his coat. He wasn't too buff so Katara's clothes were still enough for him but the lack of underwear did make it unbearable inside, motivating him to wear one of the underwear in his personal world. Taking off the clothes, Nik took one sniff of himself and instantly groaned.

Nik simply admired Sokka to bear the chilled water as he would bathe whenever he did... meanwhile, Nik had the suspicion the only reason why Katar was more active in grooming herself in this cold climate was none other than being able to manipulate the temperature of the water.

As Suki had expected, the white inner tunic was tighter around the shoulders and neck so Nik avoided it and once again wore one of the t-shirts he had with him. Removing them discreetly was simply a thought away so Nik felt quite comfortable. The green kimono was soft but warm, unlike the slightly tribal clothing of the water tribe. Tying the dark green belt around the wide skirt on his waist, Nik wore the plated armor, then came the pair of gloves and the gauntlets that covered Nik's forearms. Circular golden insignia could be seen on both of the gauntlets. Finally, Nik completed the set with the pair of black boots and waited for his make-up crew to return.

There was still one thing he hadn't worn: The green headband with a golden plate in the middle. Unlike the headdresses other full-grown Kyoshi Warriors wore, this was much simpler and plain, signifying the possible rookie status in the group.

*Knock*

*Knock*

"Are you done, Nik?" Suki inquired loudly from the other side.

"Yeah!"

The door opened up to reveal Suki leading a Katara who looked rather different in this outfit. It was maybe because her hair was tied into a low bun. However, the two loops of her locks from her forehead to the bun still remained the same.

"How do I look?" Katara inquired and Nik couldn't help but point at his neck, "You're missing your pendant."

"Ah, it's in here,"  Katara patted the pocket hidden by the edge of the kimono on the skirt of the suit and continued, "Suki said that wearing accessories especially around the neck can be dangerous. So?"

She inquired again and Nik decided to observe her completely.

"You look good," Nik shrugged. Nothing but the truth here.

"Heh, you look good yourself, sister," Katara teased however seeing Suki and Nik looking at her strangely, she questioned, "What? I was joking?"

"Leave the jokes to your brother. I admit that he even fights funny," Suki shrugged and Katara pursed her lips. How Suki managed to throw shade at the siblings with a few words and make Nik snort a chuckle was something she couldn't comprehend easily. After all, Suki used insult as a comedic device but so did she.

"Come, sit down next to Nik."

Suki called out and sat in front of Nik.

Picking the cup filled with white paint, Suki explained while Katara sat down.

"This paint needs a good scrubbing to be washed off once it dries off. But with all the snow and ice around and some rather infuriating pranks by kids, we hardly ever get it to that stage."

Dipping her index and middle finger into the cup, she spoke:

"Anyway, while I initiate the two of you, it is time-saving to describe the formation of the group alongside."

Pressing the tip of her fingers against Nik's cheek, Suki stated softly, "Close your eyes."

Closing them, Nik heard Suki begin her explanation, "Avatar Kyoshi created the Kyoshi Warriors before the Kyoshi Island was formed, thus, our origin starts from the Earth Kingdom itself. In her time, Avatar Kyoshi had seen many instances of women being helpless against the actions of rowdy men. I don't think I need to go in-depth since it is sadly self-explanatory.

Since the formation of the Kyoshi Warriors, the trained women did not take kindly to men trying to learn from them. Things finally began to change since the start of the 100-Year War. Kyoshi Warriors of other villages and us, too, saw that men can be as helpless as women. In the beginning, my predecessors taught a few men. Most of them left since they expected a set of overpowering techniques that allows their problems to go away using brute force.

The others were caught and personally executed since they were found using our teachings to commit evil deeds that led to our formation in the first place. In reality, the journals of the previous leaders show that these men were driven into such actions because of sadness and loneliness due to the war."

Katara's gaze turned sad and understanding but Suki continued calmly, "However, actions always merit consequences. No matter the cause, it was undeniable that these initiates tainted our teachings and had to be stopped."

Suki stopped for a moment once she swept her other two fingers lathered with red paint over Nik's eyelids and lips. Intentional or not, Suki's fingers seemed to be pressed a little too firmly against his lips. Even the sadness in Katara's gaze vanished when she saw Suki blowing softly against Nik's eyes.

"You can open your eyes. I left a little space before your hairline, wear your headband without trying to smudge too much."

The 'paint' felt more like wet mud that was drying quicker than what SUki had explained. Wearing the headband Nik waited while Suki began painting Katara's face white.

"I was more open to the idea of teaching Nik because he... well, is weak. That Sokka, though laughable, knows what he wants to strike and how. Nik doesn't. But he still stood up for you guys and the Avatar so the group didn't fuss about having Nik joined in even if temporary. And I have heard that Waterbenders can be deadly and precise... you lack those qualities. But again, having the Avatar's trust can be a wonderful thing when meeting with other factions and forces created by the past Avatars."

"Maybe Aang should join the Kyoshi Warriors, too," Nik mumbled.

"Can you do that?" Suki looked at him, eyes wide with excitement.

"You could ask him," Nik shrugged.

"Anyway," deflating slightly, Suki continued, "Since I am the current leader of the group... but am also planning to leave for my personal goals, I assured the group that if you guys took me in, I will also keep an eye on those who learn our techniques and do whatever it is in my power to stop you guys from using our methods for hurting others personally."

"What would have happened—" Katara began and Suki spoke lightly, "Don't speak yet."

Pressing the white paint on Katara's cheeks once again, Suki smiled, "What would have happened if you guys don't take me with you? Nothing in particular. But it will be on me and no one else should you use the techniques to hurt others."

Once finished placing the red paint over Katara's eyelids, Suki leaned back and smiled, "Keep your eyes closed for a few seconds."

"What? No blows for me?" Katara inquired, though her eyes closed, her will to get back at Suki for indirectly calling her lame ignited her excuse to tease someone. However, tilting her head curiously, Suki shook her head. Not that Katara could see her but it was a simple and instinctive response further explained, too.

"I just thought it might be weird but Kyoshi Island has never minded such interests. Fun fact, Avatar Kyoshi had a colorful journey in this matter. Anyway, come closer. I'll blow on your eyes."

"N-no, just stay away from me," Katara hurriedly leaned back, eyes still closed and failing to witness the glimpse of mischief in Suki's eyes, something that Nik noted. Still, it was news to him that gay relationships were a thing in this world. He had expected only brothels to cater such services since, in his homeworld, men and women of such needs would be pretty much cut down, and this in itself had led to a great recruitment period for the district back in the day.

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Still, Katara failed to execute any of her skills in speech.

Katara only grew stable and less flustered once she was able to open her eyes and seeing the duo look at her, she puckered her lips slightly and commented, "This is not over," once she saw Suki and Nik smiling at her humorously.

"Come on, stand up. I will start teaching you the basic moves that can be practiced easily."

Standing up, Suki turned towards the end of the large room and picked two pairs of fans from the weapon's rack, and walked up to the new initiates.

"Take them. These war fans are packed and held in place by lacquered wood and a good grip tied on the exterior. The plates are coated with bronze but you wouldn't be able to hurt yourself easily while using these."

Nik and Katara received a pair each and they looked at each other. One thing flickered in their mind instantly. Compared to bone spears, this was definitely an upgrade.

"This looks good and the uniform is comfortable, too. Thanks, Suki," Nik smiled and she shook her head.

"Not a problem. And not only comfortable but the golden insignia on your wrists represent the honor of a warrior's heart. A warrior should always have the heart of gold. Meanwhile, the silk threads symbolize the brave blood that flows through a warrior's veins. Remember, never tarnish your mind, heart, and soul by giving in to negativity of the world."

Nik and Katara were certainly impressed. One whore and one lass of water tribe village given such honor...

The two couldn't help but hold their heads high slightly.

"Hey, Suki, I just came to say tha—"

Sokka barged in at this moment, his expression that of remorse and his tone full of acceptance when his voice was stuck in his throat and his cheeks twitched violently. Almost instantly he began laughing.

"Oh— Hahahaha!" Thumping the floor with the side of his fist, he shouted loudly. "Aaaaannnngggg! You gotta see this!"

"Oh, my Ocean Gods! This is too good!"

Seeing him comically roll on the floor only made Katara's and Suki's expressions worse by the second. Nik, meanwhile, turned to look himself in the small mirror over the shelf filled with other training equipments and he couldn't help but commend Suki's sharp make-up and Kyoshi's sense of fashion.

'This uniform as a cosplay would make the sales go through the roof at the bookshop,' Nik realized.

"What is it? What is it?"

With a drastic gust of snow, Aang came to a screeching halt in front of the cottage. The village was small enough for Sokka's loud call to tingle Aang's senses and the moment he laid eyes on Nik and Katara, he fell silent before smiling, "Hey, guys. Nice training uniform. What are you practicing?"

"-- ang! AANG!!"

Before Suki could complete, Aang's expression changed drastically and he fled out. Jumping with his glider opening once again, Aang locked his legs around the lower end of the shaft and flew away with the small group of energetic girls still chasing after him.

"Done laughing? You can get out then," Suki crossed her arms over her chest plate and Sokka still heaved deeply, his shoulders shuddering. "Yeah, yeah. I just came to say that I learned a good lesson from our spar. Thank you for it."

Waving his hands, Sokka left, leaving the trio stunned but when they hears him laughing loudly once again, Katara's expression turned bleak.

"Let's forget any of it ever happened," Katara suggested and Suki nodded while they looked at Nik.

"I don't know what was Sokka laughing at. You did a great job with the face paint."

Seeing him smile, Suki couldn't help but stare at him for a moment before coughing.

"Follow my movements and don't you dare think that I'd go easy on you just because you can speak sweetly!" Suki glared, instantly taking out her own war fans from the clutches of her armor as it was unfurled by a distinct metallic sound.

---

Despite what she said, Suki did not drill the two initiates too roughly. The entirety of the basics of the Kyoshi Warrior's technique was based on the self-defense art of redirecting the opponent's force to your advantage. Knowing that average women would not hold against men of brute force, Kyoshi had taught the first generation of Kyoshi Warriors how to use the opponent's strength using one's own footwork, movement of the upper body, and general flexibility that Katara and Nik both lacked in somewhat.

Nik knew it for a fact that his previous body was more flexible than Suki's in more ways than one and while he did not know any great fighting or bending techniques, seeing Suki's choice of stretching techniques, Nik knew that this was one thing he may trump the Kyoshi Warriors in.

With a newfound need to regain his flexible wonders, Nik made a note to himself to start practicing them come the next dawn.

With how welcoming the village was and just how much affection and popularity the group had gained in a matter of the day, they ended up staying for longer than what Sokka might have expected. But even if they were short on time, the group didn't have any knowledge per se and with Aang accepting the village chief's request, the group was divided into different tasks.

Katara and Nik would have to dress up early in the morning and join the patrolling lessons alongside the group training. This was one of the main pillars of Kyoshi's teaching. For two afternoons now, Aang had visited the coast side occupied by the unagi, however, he was at his wit's end.

Meanwhile, the more Sokka understood about the outside world in the port from the sparse number of traders who still visited Kyoshi Island for daily needs, the more worried he got and became the voice in the group that demanded they began packing their stuff as quickly as possible.

---

"I can't  believe we wasted five days here!" Sokka grumbled as he took a cloth and wipe the dust from one of the shelves. This was none other than Kyoshi's sanctuary that held her personal effects. In his Kyoshi get-up, Nik sighed softly. Katara's and Sokka's objective happened to be finding the whereabouts of their father and while Katara had shown understanding for Aang's internal conflict of helplessness and a sense of duty, Sokka was more outspoke and decisive.

"Not to mention I ended up becoming that Old man's helper!" Sokka scowled, clenching the dirty rag.

Admiring Kyoshi's boot's size, Nik replied, "Aang did say we'll leave today if he still can't think of any way for helping the village."

"...yeah... still, this village has it bad."

At this moment, one of the Kyoshi Trainees barged in, panting and heaving while the two also began the low but familiar screeches.

"Nik! Katara's brother, the Unagi—"

"Finally!"

Sokka smiled, picking the katana from the rack as he instantly ran out while the woman without makeup was pale with fright.

"Yona is in trouble! Come quickly, everyone is in trouble!" the girl gasped and beckoned Nik to follow her. The trio shot through the street as many villagers looked towards the other side of the small island with worried expressions.

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