<strong>Suki</strong><br/>On the Boat<br/><br/>The thrust of a sharpened fan. The rush of air as a foot swept for her leg. A quick twisting dodge. These things were beauty and poetry. They kept the mind clear and focused. In the dance of combat one could forget doubts. Forget fear. Forget the self. It was a form of meditation that soothed the soul. When faced with the long tedium of hours at sea, rigorous training was a must to keep wits and skills sharp, and to stave off the endless boredom. Oh sure, there was always Pai Sho with the Dragon. It was a good tactical exercise. But for Suki of the Kyoshi Islands nothing beat physical contest to hone the mind and the body.<br/><br/>It wasn't even clear to her when that had become the case. Maybe during the long years of holding together this revolution against the tyrant Phoenix Queen, maybe before. She didn't know. She didn't care. Right now she was sparring against four of her best Kyoshi Warriors and thrilling to the hum of battle. She'd known these women virtually her entire life. She'd trusted them with that life time and again, as they had trusted her. When she put out the call to rise against the greatest tyrant the world had ever known, they had stepped forward without question, without hesitation. They fought in a near-perfect harmony. She was trying to make that harmony flawless.<br/><br/>Then came the note of dissonance. A voice, intruding on her symphony of combat.<br/><br/>With only a quick hiss of breath she took down the four surrounding her. Yuli fell to a quick chop across the throat as she brought her fan up for a sweep. Kai fell for a foot feint that got her an elbow to the chest. Sarin and Siri were redirected into each other then laid low with a series of swift kicks. It was over in a moment. Not breathing hard, not sweating, Suki turned to face Sokka with one raised eyebrow.<br/><br/>"I don't know. An important reason I shouldn't wonder. Have you tried asking General Iroh or Prince Zuko if it so upsets you? And did you think that interrupting me at my practice was so essential for so small a question? You've ruined my harmony. I think it fitting that you try to recreate it. Yuli, Sarin, Siri, and Kai will be your opponents for a sparring session. Let's see if this time at sea has been used to keep up your skills Sokka." She smiled slightly. "Unless of course, you're afraid."