Yuri was glad that it was a good thing that Ren'ai did not give her any lip over her choice of words, cause at times it seemed that she tried her best not to let both of them get too down on things. If anything small things like this made her happy, and at times it seemed best just to ask for small things. It was always great to train, if anything it seemed like a stable point in her life. And if anything that helped to keep her centered, and feel that no matter what happened that everything was going to be fine in the end.

The Earthbender felt her lips twitch into a little smirk as she watched the Firebender move to avoid both of the rocks that were sent her way. “I wouldn't have it any other way.” The green eyed woman responded as she quickly blocked the fire punch with a rock that she had bended from stomping on the ground. Luckily she was good at her timing knew better then to over think things when she trained, or she would have been a moment or two too late and would have been singed.

There was no time for a thought to cross her mind as she watched for clues as to what was next to come from her partner, there was no way that she was going to do a back bend to avoid what was coming and leave herself open. All she needed to do was simply step to the side quickly and smirked. She did not bother to waste words, the Earthbender quickly sent up two rocks and sent one towards Ren'ai's left knee and the second on to her right shoulder. If anything she was going to try to keep her friend on her toes. Then again it was not like they did not expect this from each other.

Ren’ai smirked as she watched in part satisfaction, part annoyance, when Yuri easily blocked both of her moves with a simple rock. Of course, she would expect nothing less and would have been sincerely shocked if her best friend had gotten singed by her simple moves. At their level, such mistakes just didn’t happen. They had been training for too long to let things like that get to them. Besides, Earthbending was very good for blocking, unlike her element which was all about attack. That’s what made these sparring matches interesting, and it was great practice for Probending.

Ren’ai’s eyes went straight for the rock headed towards her left leg. The Firebender neatly hopped to the right only to have to dive instantly to get out of the way of a second rock that Yuri had sent that she hadn’t seen; she’d been so focused on the first rock. The rock barely sailed by her. She’d gotten lucky. Rookie mistake and she wouldn’t let that happen again. She was the Captain. She was supposed to be the best, and she was going to prove that no matter what.

Ren’ai slid her left foot forward, shifting her weight before slightly bringing her right foot forward. She moved it, sending an arc of fire towards the Earthbender’s feet. She then moved her left arm in an arc, sending another arc of fire towards Yuri’s chest. Hopefully, that would keep her on her toes. Something had to, after all. “What will your pretty, Probender girlfriend say when you lose to me?” the Firebender asked, a smirk on her lips. What was a little trash talking between best friends, after all?[/color]

It was a warm day, with the sun shining brightly in the sky and Mitsuko was doing nothing but wandering around her apartment and allowing her negative thoughts to consume her. After sitting on a couch, staring out the window and daydreaming she finally forced herself to stand and her feet carried her to a now empty room. It was odd to see it now. Before it was messy but the clothes strewn throughout the room, the coins that littered the dresser, even the unmade bed was proof that it had been lived in. Everything was neatly tucked away now and the red bed sheets were no longer crumpled but now folded to perfection. Mitsuko hovered there for a moment before gaining the confidence to go inside. Her brother was gone and it was something she had to accept but with how he went missing it was easy to have hope that he would return. Her eyes flicked around the room, landing on the red coaching gear he had used when teaching people fire bending. It was quite similar to what a Probender would use and she felt a small smile spread on her face as she remembered how encouraging he had always been about her dream to become one.

Mitsuko stood, it was nice out, a perfect day for practicing bending and she wasn't going to ever get the chance to join a Probending team if she stayed cooped up in her house all the time. After pulling her hair back into a braid, she grabbed the small container that held water and wrapped it around her waist. She would probably end up in a park that had some type of water in it but it was always better to be safe rather than sorry. Making her way outside, she began walking towards an area where many benders went to practice. Mitsuko wasn't sure of why but the place almost felt spiritual, as if she had a deeper connection with the spirits when there which made her waterbending feel stronger.

It didn't take too long to arrive but even if it had, it wouldn't have mattered as Mitsuko wasn't in a hurry. In fact, today she was perfectly fine with moving slowly and appreciating the city. As soon as she had approached the area it was obvious that she wasn't the only bender who the idea of enjoying the good weather, the park was filled with people. Some with simply on a stroll, others playfully bending, and some even sparring. She quickly set up a spot and began going through a routine of different moves. She started with simple ones to warm up such as moving the water throughout the air before quickly changing her stance to more of a fighting one. From there, she practiced more advanced moves and the harder the moves became the more positive her mood grew. Mitsuko had always loved a challenge when it came to bending and so whenever she practiced like today she always attempted to push herself to try new and difficult things.

Despite her focus, a pair of two benders caught her eye. They were sparring quite intensely except both had a smile on their face and as Mitsuko lazily bended the water she couldn't help but feel as if she had seen them somewhere before. Her eyes widened as she realized why she recognized them. They were members of a Probending team and Mitsuko's excitement grew as she considered approaching them. She decided she would say something to them when they finished sparring and until then, continued to practice herself, every so often glancing over at the skilled benders.

Yuri just loved watching her best friends reaction to countering her attack, just seeing that smirk on the short Firebender's face brought her joy and made her laugh. If anything this is what she considered the perfect thing to do on her day off. And to know that Ren'ai would never forgive her if she dared to go easy it could get herself hurt for sure. Between the warm sun and moving around she could feel a few beads of sweat running down her spine. Besides it was only natural to sweat a bit while you were working out.

Her heart started to beat faster when she almost nailed her curvy friend with the second rock. Only to have it miss the target, but oh well she would have another try to get her. Oh well that is what made this all even more fun, of course she knew better then to take her eyes off of her opponent because that could cost her. And of course it was her job to try to keep her Captain on her toes.

The slender Earthbender's green eyes widened slightly in surprise realizing what Ren'ai's next move was. She jumped to the side and growled slightly, well it was not like she had money for new shoes. She barely got out of range before getting singed. She quickly brought up a rock the size of her own head to block her next attack to her chest. She rolled her eyes at the trash talk her best friend was giving her. “Nothing, cause I am going to give you a run for your money.” Yuri told her with a little feral grin, because if anything it seemed like they had come to a good rhythm in their little match.

Yuri stomped down and brought up a couple of fist sized rocks this time sending one at her best friend's chest, and the second one to her right hip. Sure she was a competitive persons but then again so was Ren'ai and that is why they both worked so well together. And if anything maybe the looser might have to cook dinner tonight, for a moment she regretted not making a couple of bento's for them to eat while they were outside.

Mitsuko had long stopped bending herself, she was far too entranced by the obviously skilled benders that were sparring. Her eyes followed the movements of the two and she glanced quickly back and forth as attacks were shot out. She would have been worried that they would catch her staring but by the intense look in their eyes, Mitsuko got the feeling they weren't paying attention to anything else except each other. To her, it was like seeing her dream being manifested before her very eyes because she saw they were missing one person: a Waterbender. She was a waterbender and skilled enough to hold her own and as different ideas swarmed her thoughts she let out a small breath. This was her chance, maybe her only one for a long time. Mitsuko was young but her entire life she had worked to make up for what she lacked in age with the skill of her attacks. She wasn't going to waste this chance, at least, she hoped she wouldn't.

Putting a smile on her face, she strolled forward as her stomach flipped in a mixture of nerves and excitement. "Sorry to interrupt but you two are amazing! I couldn't help but watch and I realized I recognized both of you. You're from a Probending team, aren't you?" Noticing she hadn't yet introduced herself, her eyes widened slightly, "Oh! And I'm Mitsuko, a Waterbender. I've been following the sport for what feels like forever."