[center][i]"Come one, come all, and witness the greatest display of bending talent! Benders from all corners of the world come together to duke it out with each other and prove once and for all who the greatest and strongest is! Republic City welcomes you, great heroes, to the... PRO-BENDING ANNUAL TOURNAMENT!"[/i][/center]

Kimiko's arms crossed over her shoulders as she listened to the announcer on the radio. [color=aba000][b]"The greatest and strongest, huh?"[/b][/color] she found herself murmuring. Last year's winners had been a group called Badgermoles, a team notorious for their arrogance and disregard for common courtesy. Apparently, they were the greatest and strongest. The thought made Kimiko want to vomit out the sweet bread she just ate.

The Badgermoles wouldn't be competing this year. [color=aba000][b]"Cowards."[/b][/color]

[color=003471][b]"What's gotten you all surly there?"[/b][/color] Kai piped up from the kitchen area. He was the designated cook for the week, decided after a sparring match between the three of them. Kai always seemed to don the apron more often than the other two, but it didn't seem to bother him much. He liked cooking for the team, and it was obvious that the team loved his cooking - if Kimiko and Xeno's teaming up every sparring session was any indication.

Xeno, who had been busy attempting to create a frozen sculpture in their part of the apartment, piped up, [color=007236][b]"Overachiever won't feel like she's the greatest and strongest unless she beats last year's champion."[/b][/color]

[b][color=aba000]"Whatever."[/color][/b] Kimiko jumped up and stretched her limbs. [b][color=aba000]"I'm going to the gym. Just have Anana call me when lunch is ready."[/color][/b]

Xeno gave her a salute and returned to their sculpture as the door slammed shut behind Kimiko. [b][color=007236]"She's been getting antsy, hasn't she?"[/color][/b]

[b][color=003471]"She's just excited,"[/color][/b] Kai answered flippantly. [b][color=003471]"Anyway, I need your help. Taste this and tell me if it's too salty."[/color][/b]

Xeno's eyes rolled but they stood up and approached the boy nonetheless.

Meanwhile, Kimiko had just changed into her training clothes and set up the gym. With a couple of test jabs, she was ready.