Chapter 9: Waterbending

Ash's eyes opened reluctantly, when he felt a paw prod him in the side. Like yesterday, the sun had not risen yet. Ash had never learned any actual Bending yet. The other day, all he had learned was the schedule, a tour of their territory, the history of The Bending Tower, and about ceremonies.
Hopefully today I will learn something useful. Ash sighed, then looked up at who had waken him. A Dalmatian was standing above him.
"Morning! My name is Spots," the Dalmatian wagged his tail. "Ash right?" before Ash could say "yes", Spots kept talking. "Thought it was. I'm training to be an Airbender, and-"
"Spots, let's just go to the yard," Ash rolled his eyes. It appeared that Spots was very eager. At least someone isn't making fun of me!
"Okay," Spots ran out the open door. Once again, Ash was the last apprentice in the room. He left, and walked out to the yard.
Tired, drowsy animals were everywhere in the yard, sitting down. Kabu was out too, not looking tired, like yesterday. Goldwing was already out.
Ash's pelt grew hot with embarrassment. They were all waiting for me and Spots!
Spots didn't seem to care. He was wagging his tail, sitting next to Dust.
"Slept in?" Stone sneered.
Ash stifled a sigh and sat next to Rusty. Goldwing walked out into the yard, ready to make the morning's speech.
"Yet another day of training," Goldwing spoke out, his voice loud and clear. "Spots, you will be learning how to fly on the air using your Airbending skills-"
"I can't wait!" Spots barked.
"Ash, you will be having your first day of learning Waterbending. Since Galmega is in the Medicine Benders' room, Creature will be teaching you. The rest of the Waterbenders will help too," Goldwing nodded.
Creature dipped his head to the winged leader.
"Other than that, nothing new will be happening-"
"What?" Stone growled. "What if-if that fool of a shark, Alacazame comes back?"
"Good point, Stone," Goldwing looked at the raccoon. "You can be in charge of guarding the tank. Choose the Benders you want to take for the first shift."
The students and Benders broke up into groups. Ash joined the Waterbenders and Waterbending apprentices. The Earthbenders got into a group, and so did the Airbenders.
"Alright," Creature turned to Ash. "I'll take you deep into our territory by the steams." He turned to an otter that had a necklace made of pearls. The otter was talking to Rusty. "Cora, can you bring Rusty and help us out?"
"Of course," Cora nodded.
Creature took the lead, walking into the territory. He stumbled over things every now and then, but walked on.
They made it to the river. Lots of fish were swimming upstream easily. Ash's stomach growled looking at the prey.
"I think Kabu had told you yesterday about how Benders are able to Bend things," Creature began, "and this river will allow you to. As you know, you must concentrate hard on the river. Focus is key. To Bend, imagine that the water will come up as a water ball, and hit that tree in front of you. It will do so, but you need to focus hard enough. If you don't the water will fall back into the river."
Ash nodded. Cora jumped up onto a stump, and Rusty sat beside her.
"Don't expect to get it the first time," Cora nodded.
"I still don't have it good enough," Rusty mumbled.
If Creature or Cora heard Rusty, they didn't show it. "Okay, imagine a waterball hitting the tree. Now!"
Ash closed his eyes, picturing a ball of water rising up and hitting the tree. He focused on that one thing, trying not to think of something else. He repeated it over and over in his mind.
"Hello!"
Ash jerked his eyes opened. Turning around, he saw Tiggerkat licking her chest on a tall tree stump.
"Tiggerkat! Ash had the waterball up out of the river, but you came and now it didn't work!" Creature scolded.
"It did get out of the water?" Ash gasped with excitement.
"Yes," Cora confirmed. "The first few times you try, you'll probably have to close your eyes to learn to focus. After you keep practicing, you can do it with your eyes open."
"Tiggerkat," Creature growled at her, "why are you out here anyways?"
"It's always amusing to watch apprentices on their first try at Bending," Tiggerkat protested, "I came to watch."
"Fine," Creature did a dramatic sigh.

Author's Note:
Ash's first try at Waterbending! Too bad Tiggerkat had to interrupt, huh?