**Chapter 26. Kiyoshi Island.**
"What, sorry? Did you say Suyuki?" she shot me a downright scrutinizing glare.
"Heh-heh, no, I mixed you up with a good acquaintance," I tried to dodge the awkward topic.
Damn, she looks so much like Suyuki—same chestnut hair, same facial features, only with a more athletic build. I need to keep my thoughts to myself more often.
"Alright...," she seemed unconvinced but decided to drop it for now, "So, why did you come to the island? Who's behind you? Pirates? The Fire Nation?" she continued grilling me, "What did you fly in on?"—meaning they hadn't seen my waterbending yet.
"I'm a waterbender from the Northern Water Tribe, just decided to travel. To prove it, let me show you," I said. The Water Tribes have never been aggressors; sure, we're not peaceful like the Air Nomads, but we only defend. "Just no sudden movements—I'll only demonstrate my bending. If I wanted to harm you, I would've done it when we met," I added reassuringly. "May I?"
"Go ahead, traveler," she said after a moment's thought, "just no nonsense. And where do you see a...?" She trailed off mid-sentence, noticing water seeping through a small grate.
The water was right by the hut's wall, in a barrel just a few meters from me. Controlling it was easy.
As I played with the water, shaping it into various forms, Shizuka watched my bending with a hint of envy, her fan—a dangerous weapon in skilled hands—ready in her grip.
"If only we had at least one waterbender, we wouldn't have to risk our lives every time we meet them," Shizuka thought, given recent events. "The boy's not lying; he could've taken us down back there. My instincts were right. Alright, I'll let him go, but if he tries to snoop around..." Her fingers tightened on the fan, still feeling the bruise on her shoulder from that damn earthbender. "That earthbender was weak, but still a bender. Maybe we can lure this waterbender to our village? He's handsome, and his children would likely be born with bending"—the idea was tempting.
A shiver ran down my spine when our eyes met. I'd seen that look in Kai's eyes after that night. What's going on in her head? I'm all for this turn of events, but wasn't I just a prisoner? Now she's eyeing me like dinner.
"How low have you sunk, Shizuka? Seducing a teenager to strengthen your clan?" She shook her head, dismissing the thought. "Though Mom would definitely approve. After all, she's why I have my little Suyuki." Her methods were questionable—drugging her daughter with some weird concoction to induce desire—but she pulled the same trick with that earthbender. All to ensure we had a bender. I didn't always understand her, but now I see how much she sacrificed for our settlement.
"I always dreamed of marrying for love, but Mom's actions gave me a new purpose: keeping Suyuki safe," she thought again, snapping back to the white-haired boy. "With a face like his, our girls will be chasing him. Maybe I won't need to do anything—someone will drag him to their bed. I even wanted to touch him while carrying him."
I'd stopped bending long ago, waiting for Shizuka to finish her thoughts. My eyes were starting to droop; after a sleepless day of map-checking, I'd flown nonstop to see the legendary Kiyoshi Island. A sharp clap snapped me back to the now more relaxed Suyuki's mother.
"Alright, you can stay as our guest," she said, "but I'll assign one of our girls to watch you. And for this 'hospitable' welcome, I owe you our local drink," she slapped my shoulder. "We've been on edge since a group of arrogant pirates attacked. We didn't know their numbers, and then you show up on the beach, all handsome... Well, apologies, I guess," she finished awkwardly. Not everyone's used to apologizing, but at least she admitted her mistake.
After freeing me from the cleverly tied ropes, she led me to the village. Before I collapse, there's one more thing to do.
"I heard you have injured people?" I asked. "I don't mean to brag, but I'm good at healing with waterbending. Can I check their injuries if you don't mind?"
"You're not joking, are you?!" Shizuka shook me by the shoulders. "If you heal them, you can ask for anything!"
"Anything, huh...?" I asked thoughtfully, shamelessly admiring her figure. Nothing fazes me!
"You're quite the grown-up boy, aren't you? Want that kind of reward?" she said, her voice more seductive, posing to highlight her already attractive body. Not like Kai, who's easily flustered.
"Let's start with the injured," I said, slightly sad, realizing my body hadn't adjusted to the changes since mastering my chi control.
"Alright," Shizuka said, refocusing. "Seriously, we'll all be in your debt. Every person in our tribe is family, and losing even one hurts us all."
We walked in silence. Shizuka seemed lost in unpleasant memories, while I admired her swaying hips.
I snapped back to reality when I bumped into someone with such alluring curves. Did she blush? Seems like my words pleased her, but she hides it behind a flirtatious mask.
Inside the hut, the scent of medicinal herbs filled the air. Two young women lay on beds, sleeping restlessly. Another woman sat nearby, monitoring them. I approached and used my waterbending to sense their conditions.
"Multiple closed fractures—they were roughed up badly," I said after examining them. Likely an earthbender's work.
"Can you heal them?" Shizuka asked, hopeful.
"I can," I replied confidently. "I'll need a basin of water, then I'll begin."
The process took less than half an hour. I could've done it faster, but no need to show my full skill yet. Soon, the girls woke briefly, pain-free. I stepped outside for fresh air.
"Thank you, thank you!" Shizuka hugged me tightly as I left, her ample assets pressing against my chest. After ten seconds, she awkwardly pulled away.
An awkward silence fell, broken only by my growling stomach. My body still craved more food, though I was no longer skinny.
"Let's go to my hut—food's ready," she rushed, changing the subject. I followed.
As we walked the main—and only—street, islanders watched me curiously. They felt like Water Tribe, but their blue clothing was jarring.
"Mom!" An eight-year-old girl ran toward us. On closer look, she resembled Shizuka. Suyuki.
"Careful, Suyuki!" Shizuka barely shouted before Suyuki tripped and fell on her knees. We rushed over to a hilarious scene.
"I'm fine, Mom! Doesn't hurt at all," Suyuki braved, her scraped knees trembling, tears welling up, but clearly in pain.
"Oh, my little warrior," Shizuka said tenderly, "let the waterbender check your battle wounds. You need to be healthy if bad people attack, right?" Suyuki's tough, or Shizuka wouldn't bother convincing her. "And this is... uh, what's your name?" she asked, embarrassed. I'd forgotten to introduce myself.
"I'm Yuki. Want me to show you waterbending?" I asked the proud little girl. Her eyes lit up as I controlled water from a nearby bucket, carried by a man whose eyes bulged as it flew.
"Watch this," I said, healing her knees while she was distracted. "That's enough for now—I'm tired, but I'll show you more later, okay?" I told the disappointed Suyuki, who wanted more.
*
That day, I only managed to eat and speak with the village elder. Healing the girls earned me trust, so they shared the island's history.
Days ago, pirates led by a weak earthbender attacked, injuring Kiyoshi's warriors. They'd sent a spy disguised as a trader, offering lucrative deals. The island lacks many resources, relying on trusted traders—few but existent. Locals catch giant Koi fish, a delicacy, for sale.
The elder was cautious, but his story was clear. Big players have nothing to gain here, but thugs often try to raid. Thankfully, Unagi, a sea serpent, guards the only shore where ships can dock. When Unagi hibernates and becomes less alert, Kiyoshi's warriors patrol the coast. Islanders sense when Unagi is calm or active.
With few residents, some women sleep with traders to refresh their bloodline. There are opponents, but healthy children are their future. No one's forced; you can find a partner on the island, but consult the elder first—he tracks lineage to avoid inbreeding.
By then, my mind fogged from the delicious fish. I bid the elder farewell and went to sleep.