Avatar: God Of Bending

"Tell me, why are you so adorable?" Muttered Aang with a faint smile as he looked down at the Sky Bison while affectionately rubbing his head, causing him to growl softly in pleasure.

It's only been a few minutes since he had eaten my apple, yet the longer we spent together, the closer we were becoming, and it was at an astonishing speed to boot; it felt like I'd known him for my whole life. It was a weird feeling since I knew that wasn't the case, yet I couldn't help it; that was just the sensation I was getting.

'So weird.' Mused Aang lightly as he gazed at the Sky Bison, only for him to suddenly chuckle when he was licked.

"Haa, now I'm going to need to clean myself." Said Aang softly as he gazed at his saliva-laced body, only for the Sky Bison to tilt his head before licking him once more.

Inwardly sighing, I continued to softly scratch his head, specifically behind his ears as that's where he seemed to like it the most, though while doing so, I felt something moving through the air behind me, prompting me to look backward, only to see Monk Gyatso approaching me with a smile.

"I had heard from Brother Tashi, yet not even five minutes later, here you are." Said Gyatso with a slight smile as he looked down at Aang, who awkwardly coughed before slightly nodding.

"Things can change surprisingly fast, Monk Gyatso." Remarked Aang softly as he glanced at Gyatso before looking back at Appa, who yawned in response.

"Hoho, why yes, they can." Muttered Gyatso with a slight chuckle as he nodded in agreement while gazing between Aang and the Sky Bison, only to raise a critical question.

"So, now that you've found your companion, will you give him a name?" Asked Gyatso curiously as he rubbed his chin, his words causing Aang to momentarily freeze before nodding.

"Of course, and I've already decided on his name; well, that's if he likes it; if not, I'll need to figure out another one." Said Aang with a nod as he stopped scratching the Sky Bison before clearing his throat and grabbing his attention.

"Appa. How's the name, Appa?" Asked Aang curiously with a soft smile as he looked at Appa, who tilted his head only to suddenly pin him onto the ground while passionately licking his face with his large tongue.

"Hoho, I think he, or I should say Appa, likes that name." Said Gyatso with an amused chuckle as he watched Appa joyfully lick Aang, who was at his mercy.

"I-I think, I-I can t-tell, Monk G-Gyatso. Ugh, s-some got i-in my mouth." Remarked Aang with a blank expression, finding it difficult to speak while constantly being licked by a tongue larger than his head.

Watching Monk Gyatso walk toward the other children while laughing at my predicament, I inwardly sighed and was about to ask Appa to move, but before I could, he suddenly stopped licking my face before lying atop my body, covering my face with his furry body, suffocating me.

'I'm glad Appa is still a calf; otherwise, I'd have been crushed to death; not like this is any more pleasant; at least, on the bright side, I can hold my breath for quite a long time.' Mused Aang lightly with a blank expression while hitting his hand on the ground, hoping someone would help him, though everyone was too preoccupied to notice him.

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"Alright, everyone, seeing how each and every one of you has found your companion, we shall depart back to the Southern Air Temple tomorrow." Stated Pasang loudly as he stood before the sixty children and Sky Bison, causing them to all nod.

"During that time, we'll prepare the Sky Bison, and while that is going on, why don't you explore the Air Temple and meet your fellow sisters? I'm sure you all will have much to speak about." Said Iio with a smile as she stood beside Pasang, her words causing the children to pout, though they still nodded.

Nodding my head, I turned towards Appa and gave him an affectionate scratch while our heads touched, almost as if we were speaking to each other through our emotions alone.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Appa; hopefully, next time, you won't try to suffocate me with your body." Said Aang lightly with a smile, his words causing Appa to growl softly before licking his body once more.

Patting Appa one last time, I began walking away while the several caretakers began to guide the Sky Bision; shifting my focus, I headed up the stairs alongside my numerous brothers as we slowly began to spread throughout the Air Temple. I didn't do anything specific, and instead of spending my time practicing my bending or meditating, I opted to explore the Temple; well, I say that, but the first place I visited was the training grounds, which were already occupied with a class.

The Monk teaching them had the tattoo of a Master, and since I was in the back, my presence went unnoticed by most; trying not to disturb the class, I quietly sat in the back and listened to the Master teach my fellow sisters. Although she was teaching things I've long since mastered, the way she explained and taught them was different compared to my teachers, and while it may have only been a slight difference, I could still benefit from her outlook on air bending.

For the next forty or so minutes, I listened to the Master speak, even going ahead and following her words as I practiced air-bending.

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"That is all my students; I know you all enjoy playing, but remember to practice in your free time." Stated Hema as she lightly clapped her hands, causing the children to clasp their palms together and slightly bow before quickly leaving, taking several glances at Aang in the process.

"Excuse me, Monk Hema, if you don't mind, may I have a friendly spar with you? I'd like to use this chance to learn from the Eastern Air Temple." Asked Aang respectfully as he deeply bowed before Hema, taking her slightly by surprise, but other than raising her eyebrow she nodded.

"I'm never one to send away an eager student; may I know your name, young Air Nomad?" Asked Hema lightly with a faint smile as she gazed upon Aang, who took several steps back, preparing for the spar.

"Aang of the Southern Air Temple." Replied Aang with a slight bow, only to lower his stance, placing his foot before the other while slightly raising his arms, causing Hema to nod as she stood in a similar stance.

"After you, young Aang." Said Hema lightly, her words causing Aang to nod as he took a step forward, hitting his palm against the air, causing a surge of wind to charge towards her.

Attacking first, I started off relatively easy, not because I underestimated her, not at all, simply because that's how I've always done so with Monk Gyatso while we slowly increased the intensity of our spar. Unsurprisingly, Monk Hema easily dealt with my attack, grabbing my bundle of wind before spinning it in a circle and throwing it back toward me; the only difference was it was about twice as strong.

Reaching beneath my knees, I swiftly raised them into the air, creating a wave of wind that engulfed the bundle of wind and approached Monk Hema, though, with a slash of her hand, she cut right through it.

"I see you take your training seriously, Aang." Said Hema with a slight smile as she gazed at Aang, who nodded in return.

"Thank you, Monk Hema." Said Aang softly as the two continued to spar against each other, slowly using more and more of their technique.

The spar continued for several more minutes, and towards the end, we were both sporting solemn expressions as we used all of our comprehension and mastery of air-bending, going so far as to accidentally create a small tornado between us. Both of us attempted to take control of the other's air, and this struggle lasted for a solid minute before Hema eventually overpowered me, taking control of all the air around us while I was left practically powerless.

"It is my loss, Monk Hema. I thank you for the wonderful spar." Stated Aang lightly as he clasped his palms together and deeply bowed to Hema, who waved her hand, dispelling the tornado while the wild air settled back down.

"You're very much welcome, young Aang; your skills as an airbender are too impressive to put into words. I had nearly lost; I only managed to squeeze a victory out of your lack of experience." Said Hema in slight exhaustion as she gave Aang a slight bow before approaching him.

"Yes, but that is my fault, Monk Hema." Replied Aang with a nod as he stood upright, causing Hema to nod in agreement.

"With technique and skill like that, you're long overdue for your tattoos of a Master. When shall you get them?" Asked Hema curiously as she looked at Aang, who slightly frowned, only to shake his head.

"That isn't something I have thought of; I should ask Monk Gyatso. Now, please excuse me, Monk Hema; I don't want to take up any more of your time." Said Aang lightly, only to bow towards Hema once more before turning around and leaving, causing her to nod slightly while she watched him leave.