Chapter 129. Growth.
*Yuki. North Pole.*
My new day began with cautiously pressing my ear to Kai's rounded belly. Using my spiritual senses, I could already see the tiny human inside, waiting to enter the world.
"She's become even more desirable..." I nodded to myself, gently gazing at Kai, who was still asleep. What could be more beautiful than a beloved woman carrying your child? "Alright, I could lie here all day, but it's time to get to work," I whispered, carefully rising from the bed so as not to wake Kai. During this time, she needs more rest. Besides, our child is seriously draining her life and magical energy. On one hand, I'm glad our baby will surely be talented, but on the other, I don't want Kai to suffer in any way.
"Report any detail to me," I sternly reminded the group of guards stationed outside our chambers. The memory of Koh's attack was still fresh, so I'd strengthened security for my loved ones, especially Kai, who could barely move these days.
"Yes!" the five guards replied in unison. I'd chosen each of them carefully: a boy and a girl, both exceptional healers whose abilities I'd personally tested; another young man, a skilled firebender under Jeong Jeong's tutelage; the fourth, a true warrior who'd held the top rank in mid-level combat tournaments multiple times; and the last, an outstanding archer from Yuki, whose skills already rivaled those of the original Yu Yang archers.
Despite all the preparations, someone from her family was almost always with Kai. Even Sokka, who'd been dreaming of restoring the Southern Water Tribe for years, had paused his plans because he didn't want to leave his mother's side. The look on his face when he realized he'd soon have a little brother or sister was priceless.
After a few hours of intense work—when even my life energy couldn't save my tired hand, which was signing documents without my brain's involvement—I finally took a deep breath. My idea to gather documents for signing all at once at the end of the week probably wasn't my best.
Around midday, after a family lunch, I headed to the training grounds. The weather was unusually pleasant—no snow, no blizzard, just a sunny day. Every now and then, I "saw" with my senses the graceful figures of girls sunbathing in local swimsuits.
The training grounds were already bustling with benders of all ages. But they were training terribly, their attention fixed on a mischievous boy with an arrow on his head. Aang seemed born for this, delighting the crowd with his airbending feats.
I didn't blame them—even the oldest residents had never seen a living Air Nomad, let alone the younger ones. When they spotted me, the kids surrounding the Avatar slowly backed away. They knew the Chief didn't like anyone here doing anything but mastering the elements.
"Chief Yuki! Want me to show you my new move?" Aang waved excitedly, probably glad to escape Yeo's company. I admit, I might've pushed him too far with my harem jokes, making him eager to leave and study a new element.