V1.C35. Mischief and Promises

Chapter 35: Mischief and Memories

The sun climbed high over the Air Temple, casting a warm, golden light across its ancient stones. Without Monk Nara's watchful presence, the temple felt different—freer, somehow. It was a rare day when both Yogan and his friend Yoan were untethered, unburdened by the rigorous training that usually filled their hours. Nara had departed days ago to tend to her ailing mother, leaving Yogan with an unusual sense of liberty he hadn't felt in months. He felt a touch of guilt for being so pleased, yet with Yoan at his side, it was hard to care. Today would be one for the memories.

The two young men strolled through the temple courtyard, sharing a look that needed no words. They were both troublemakers at heart, and without Nara's gaze to keep them in line, a world of opportunity lay before them.

"Yoan," Yogan said with a sly grin, "when was the last time this place had some real excitement?"

Yoan's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Yogan gave a single nod. "It's time we gave these monks something to remember."

Their first target was the ever-serious Sage Baolin. The elder monk was known throughout the temple for his meticulous habits and his fondness for lecturing the younger monks about "discipline and composure." He wore his sage-green robes with such dignity that it almost seemed to be a part of him. The two friends knew Baolin's schedule well enough—every morning, without fail, he would make his way to the courtyard fountain for his ceremonial hand-washing before meditation.

With a grin, Yoan pulled a small pouch from his belt. He had acquired it the day before, a simple dye powder stolen from the storeroom. The best part? It only activated with water, which meant Sage Baolin would be none the wiser until it was too late.

The two slipped quietly into the quarters where Baolin kept his robes. Moving quickly, Yoan opened the pouch and sprinkled the powder over the folds of the sage's robe, carefully dusting it to avoid detection. Yogan held his breath, feeling a thrill in his chest as they hurried back to the courtyard, where they could watch the scene unfold from a safe distance.

Baolin arrived moments later, moving with his usual air of authority. He barely glanced at his robe as he prepared for the ritual, placing his hands under the fountain's flowing water. As he raised them to his face, droplets of water trickling down his fingers, his sage-green robes began to shift into a lurid shade of emerald.

A look of horror crossed his face as he examined the now-vibrant green that adorned his pristine attire. "What… what is this?" he sputtered, clutching the robe as though his life depended on it.

Hidden behind a stone wall, Yogan and Yoan clamped their hands over their mouths to stifle their laughter, both of them nearly shaking with suppressed giggles. The sight of the elder, usually so composed, now fuming with confusion and indignation, was everything they'd hoped for. They exchanged a triumphant nod and crept away before Baolin could trace the prank back to them.

Their next target was a group of young women who often gathered in the temple's gardens, Kaiya among them. Yogan felt a certain fondness for Kaiya, who had proven herself to be sharp-witted and unafraid to challenge him in conversation. Today, though, she was simply another mark, and he couldn't wait to see the look on her face.

As they reached the edge of the garden, Yoan leaned close, whispering his plan with a wicked grin. "We'll surprise them with a bit of firework sparklers. Just enough to give them a start, nothing serious."

Yogan nodded, his smile widening. "And I'll use a small gust to set them off at just the right moment."

Yoan lit the sparklers and carefully placed them behind the rocks near where the girls were sitting. Yogan took a breath, concentrating as he sent a light breeze wafting toward the sparks. A moment later, the sparklers flared to life with a series of crackles and pops, bright bursts of light shooting up around the unsuspecting group.

With startled shrieks, the girls leapt up, scrambling back from the sudden display. Kaiya spun around, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the surrounding bushes.

"Yogan!" she called out, her voice filled with equal parts annoyance and amusement. "I know this is you! Only you would think of something so childish."

The two troublemakers ducked further into the bushes, stifling their laughter. Yogan's heart pounded, the thrill of mischief coursing through him. The girls eventually resumed their seats, though they kept a wary eye on their surroundings, clearly on guard for any further surprises.

Still riding the high of their successful pranks, Yogan and Yoan turned their attention to a more challenging target: Renji. Renji was a complex figure, cold and calculating, a man who commanded respect and obedience without needing to raise his voice. He was a figure that most in the temple avoided unless absolutely necessary. But to Yogan and Yoan, he was just another opportunity for fun.

Renji had a peculiar habit of drinking herbal tea every afternoon, brewed exactly to his specifications by the temple kitchen staff. A plan quickly took shape in their minds.

"Imagine if we added a bit of extra 'flavor' to his tea," Yogan murmured with a grin as they passed the kitchen.

Yoan's eyes gleamed. "A touch of pepper root should do the trick. Just enough to give him a real wake-up call."

They sneaked into the kitchen and added a pinch of the bitter root to the herb blend meant for Renji's tea. Then they hid just outside the hall, waiting for him to take his customary sip.

Moments later, Renji strode into the hall, his usual stoic expression unchanging as he lifted the cup to his lips. But as soon as he took a sip, his face twisted into a grimace. His eyes narrowed as he looked down at the cup, clearly trying to maintain his composure while struggling with the bitter taste.

From their hiding spot, Yogan and Yoan watched, barely able to contain their laughter. Seeing Renji's usual cold expression falter, even for a moment, was a rare and satisfying victory.

The rest of the day was filled with similar antics, each prank more elaborate than the last. They swapped out the elders' lightweight meditation benches for heavy stone slabs, watched with amusement as the elderly monks struggled to adjust to the unexpected weight, and even managed to slip a few harmless insects into the storeroom where the junior monks gathered supplies. The temple buzzed with confusion and mild irritation as their pranks unfolded, and by the time the afternoon sun began to dip, Yogan and Yoan were both exhausted and thoroughly satisfied.

However, their streak of luck didn't last forever. By early evening, an initiate had caught sight of them slipping away from the meditation hall, and soon, word had spread of their involvement in the day's mischief. An impromptu search party was formed, and before long, Yogan and Yoan found themselves sprinting through the temple, an angry group of monks on their heels.

They darted down winding paths, around corners, and finally squeezed into a narrow alcove near the southern edge of the temple, panting as they tried to quiet their breathing. The sounds of pursuit grew fainter, and they knew they'd managed to elude capture, at least for the moment.

"I think… we've officially worn out our welcome," Yoan said between breaths, a grin still lingering on his face.

"Worth every second," Yogan replied, leaning back against the stone wall. They shared a quiet laugh, the thrill of the day's events settling over them like a warm blanket.

But as their laughter faded, Yoan's expression changed, the mirth in his eyes replaced by something deeper, a seriousness that Yogan hadn't seen in him before.

"There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about," Yoan said, his voice softer than usual. He looked away, as if gathering his thoughts. "Something that happened… the night of the bandit attack."

Yogan's smile faded, and he shifted closer, giving his friend his full attention. He'd always wondered about that night, the details Yoan hadn't shared, the shadows that lingered in his gaze whenever the topic came up.

---

Renji sat in a corner of the dimly lit tavern just outside the Air Temple's gates. The hum of quiet conversation and clink of ceramic cups filled the room as he calmly sipped his tea, awaiting his contact. The air was heavy with the scent of stir-fried vegetables, soy sauce, and steaming rice bowls, and he allowed himself to indulge in a modest meal of pickled radishes, salted fish, and a small bowl of miso soup.

He did not wait long. Zora entered with the grace of a shadow slipping through moonlight, her dark eyes sweeping over the tavern before landing on him. She moved toward his table, the flickering candlelight catching the glint in her eyes and tracing over the contours of her form-fitting attire. Her skin was a warm, dark brown, her long hair a deep shade of mahogany that flowed in a loose braid down her back. As she approached, her presence alone seemed to silence those nearby, her aura too potent, too regal, for a mere commoner's tavern.

"Renji," she greeted in a low voice as she slid into the seat across from him. Her gaze held an intensity, a purpose, that made him nod in approval.

"Zora," he replied, acknowledging her with a small bow of his head. "It is good to see you."

She wasted no time, leaning forward, her eyes sharp as she spoke. "The plan progresses. The lure worked; Monk Nara has left the temple."

A slight smile tugged at Renji's lips. "Good. The old woman's departure gives us the freedom we need. With her gone, the elders are vulnerable."

Zora glanced around, her eyes narrowing as she took in the other patrons in the tavern, who were oblivious to the quiet but powerful conversation unfolding between the two. "So, the real game begins now, does it?"

Renji nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Indeed. Without Nara, the rest of them will be scrambling, unprepared for what's to come. We'll start stirring dissent amongst the initiates, sow seeds of doubt in their faith. Soon, they'll be questioning their loyalty."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching the table. Renji glanced up to see Leina, his favorite student, stopping short as she took in the sight of Zora. Her expression shifted as she regarded the airbender with a mixture of intrigue and unease, her eyes lingering on Zora's form. Leina was young, still maturing, with a slender frame and a face untouched by the hardness of adulthood. She wore her standard temple robes, loose and baggy, which only accentuated her youthful appearance.

Zora arched an eyebrow, her gaze moving over Leina in a slow, appraising manner. There was no warmth in her expression, only a distant kind of scrutiny.

"Ah, Leina," Renji said, noting the flicker of something—jealousy, perhaps—in her eyes. He gave her a pointed look. "I expect you to keep your head clear. There's no time for petty feelings."

Leina blinked, pulling herself together as she straightened up, her expression hardening. "Of course, Master Renji. I understand." She glanced at Zora with thinly veiled suspicion, her voice carrying a faintly boastful tone. "I am Leina, Renji's top pupil. And you are…?"

"An attendant," Renji replied smoothly, his tone steady. "Sent by my father to assist with our goals." He gave Zora a brief nod. "This is Zora, here on behalf of the King himself."

Leina's eyes widened a fraction, her confidence faltering. "The… King?" she repeated, a hint of confusion lacing her words. She'd never heard of any connection between Renji and royalty.

Zora gave a low, humorless chuckle, fixing Leina with a hard gaze. "Don't be foolish, girl. I'm not here for games, nor am I here to entertain your schoolgirl rivalry." Her gaze moved slowly up and down Leina, taking in the loose robes that hid her figure, the youthful features, and the hint of inexperience that still clung to her. "I'm here on orders from the King, on serious business. If you plan to join us, I suggest you keep your mind focused."

Leina's cheeks flushed, and she pressed her lips together, looking briefly toward Renji for some kind of explanation. He gave her a slight nod, his eyes carrying a warning.

"Sit down, Leina," Renji instructed, his voice low and firm. "I'll explain everything, and we'll dine while we speak. The next phase of our work requires all of us." He gestured to the innkeeper, ordering additional dishes of dumplings, glazed pork belly, and bowls of steaming rice for the table.

Leina nodded, forcing a neutral expression as she took her place beside them. She couldn't shake the feeling of tension that hung in the air, and Zora's unblinking gaze only amplified her unease. But as the food arrived, and Renji began to speak of the plan in greater detail, she swallowed her pride and focused, knowing this would be a night that changed everything.

[A/N: Read 15-20 chapters ahead available on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]