Lisa31468
Haru
We all have to do our part to win this war.
Posts: 313
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Post by Lisa31468 on Apr 1, 2008 19:00:43 GMT -5
EXTREMELY awesome writing. ^^^ Beautifully filled with a great depth of feeling.
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kaibasgirl
Ba Sing Se Azula
The Sokkla Addict
Replace ships with fruit and that's exactly what you get.
Posts: 2,772
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Post by kaibasgirl on Apr 3, 2008 2:46:02 GMT -5
marvel, that.was.AMAZING!!!
I have to agree with Taiyo, "Slap Heard Around the World" is definitely ingenius! ROFL!
and Zuko DEFINITELY deserved that slap, despite his good intentions.
I liked the way Toph pushed Aang into the ring to fight, that is so like her! I also loved all the witty lines, especially when the guard mistook Sokka for Zuko's slave XXXXXDDDDD!
This is definitely one of your best pieces yet! I really enjoyed reading this, I would totally copy and paste all my fave moments but--oh nevermind, I think I will!
oh, so much <3 for that!
such classic Toph style
TELL HER ZUKO! TELL HER!
That is mind-boggling! XD But Mai(ko) = <3
I love that. I love that so, so much!
ROFL!
This line is made of WIN!!! but I already told you that XD
You know, I wonder the same thing all the time!
LOL! Are you a witch or aren't you?! ...sorry, hp reference
ROFL! -karma-
Ooooooh! BURN!
That seriously made my day!
Oh yeah Zuko, you got that right. Even when we're wrong, we're still right =D
XXXXXXXXDDDDDDDDDDROFL!
What is it with men and asking for directions? -cough- sorry XD
That is so unbelievably entertaining!
ah, so clever, so cunning. Toph in a nutshell <3
ROFL!!!!
That was so sharp! So like Mai <3
XXXXXXXDDDDDDDDDDROFL!!!! OH MY GD, I love that! Technically, he's just saying what he is XD!
Forget Toph, I nearly pinched myself!
Awwwwwwww! <3
whoa. did not see this one coming.
LOL! I think he's also picking up Sokka's humor XD
oh my gd........-squee-! <3
ROFL!
LOL. Looks like Mai rubbed off on him as well <3
Exactly what I'd like to know!
O____O
OMG, she didn't!
<3333333
XXXXXXXXXDDDDDDDROFL!!!!! I can just PICTURE Katara jumping up and down saying that!
Oh, he is SO getting back together with Mai! Those are definitely her words! <3
That just ended it so perfectly.
I said it before and I'll say it again. One of your best pieces yet.
...and, I really didn't mean to go through the entire thing again and pick out every single moment >__> dang, I'm going to bed now.
<3
-karma-
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Post by marvel26 on Apr 3, 2008 10:35:32 GMT -5
Thank you all for the praise.
I was surprised that no one deemed it long winded and OOC
The story hasn't ended yet just because Aang and Toph have semi-confessed. Remember that word 'Semi-confessed' and the story isn't just about them but since this is the Taang thread, they will be given more 'story time'.
This is just stop one of their world tour and since I can't remember the exact locations of each landmark and city in relation to each other, their world tour is going to look a little random.
I just hope I can finish the whole thing before I have to leave for a period of three weeks at the end of the month.
Scratch that, I KNOW I won't finish it before I have to leave...
I do have a final stop for them...the problem now is time and how to get them there.
Their approximate ages, if anyone wants to know, is His Royal Hotness being the eldest at 20 followed by Captain Boomerang and Princess Iron Fan at 19 each. The Lady of the Lake at 18 finishing off with our little Badger-Mole and World Savior at 16.
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Maylene
Avatar Roku
Icon by hermonthis from livejournal
Posts: 1,280
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Post by Maylene on Apr 3, 2008 19:12:21 GMT -5
LoL that is so true. Sokka does love shopping way too much, yet it's never brought up outside the show. ^_^ Wonderful.
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kaibasgirl
Ba Sing Se Azula
The Sokkla Addict
Replace ships with fruit and that's exactly what you get.
Posts: 2,772
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Post by kaibasgirl on Apr 4, 2008 0:13:28 GMT -5
LOL. You never asked J/K. When you read something that's REALLY good, you don't even realize when you're turning the page aww, you're going to be leaving? make sure you leave us something before you go! XD j/k. Maybe cause Sokka makes shopping cool? LOL j/k. oh, and artz, gaizand I don't remember if this one was posted or not, but it's so cute ^^ btw, is it just me, or is the whole "Taang: It's a kick in the glass" pun kind of overused?
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Post by taiyo *on limited hiatus* on Apr 4, 2008 18:42:31 GMT -5
Thanks, Marvel. You're now on the list of my MWSs. X3 Come back soon. <33 ^Nope, first time those were posted on here. ::karmas for find:: Frogit's another Artistic Taangian goddess. ::bows:: At least to me. XP Nah, it's not just you, Kaibasgirl. <3 I mean it doesn't bother me that it's overused but it's common to see.
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Post by marvel26 on Apr 5, 2008 7:08:09 GMT -5
MWS?
I know what AWS is but not this new thing.
Part 4 is coming along. Now at page 8 of I don't know how many more. Should I post this on other ship threads or keep it here? It does feature other characters.
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Post by taiyo *on limited hiatus* on Apr 5, 2008 8:12:29 GMT -5
Mike Withdrawal Syndrome, Melis Withdrawal Syndrome, and Marvel Withdrawal Syndrome. Ack, tough brownie. >_< Hmmmm.....Is the amount of other characters the same as part 3 or a little more? If it's the same maybe Taang but if more.....I guess it depends on who you're focusing besides Toph and Aang. ......That probably didn't help....
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kaibasgirl
Ba Sing Se Azula
The Sokkla Addict
Replace ships with fruit and that's exactly what you get.
Posts: 2,772
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Post by kaibasgirl on Apr 6, 2008 0:25:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the karma, Taiyo! ^^ Yeah, I love frogit's art, she's a true Taanger. RiaKitsuenYukai also, she's always drawing Taang, here's one she drew that came out very good. MWS. Notice how only people with penames that start with 'M' keep disappearing... scandaland I miss Mike when's the kid turning 13? I want him back here already... oh, and marvel, I don't usually see people posting stories right into the Zutara thread, they usually post the links to it so maybe join ff.net and post it there and then post the link there but eh. I say share the wealth XD just be careful, cause there are crazy Zutarians who actually ship Tokka instead of Taang
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kaibasgirl
Ba Sing Se Azula
The Sokkla Addict
Replace ships with fruit and that's exactly what you get.
Posts: 2,772
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Post by kaibasgirl on Apr 6, 2008 2:45:20 GMT -5
OMG! GUYS! Remember that awful Kataang kiss from "Nightmares and Daydreams" Well, someone very clever on deviantART redrew it into a Taang kiss! Take a look! Part OnePart Twoaaaaaaannnnd... CLICKc'mon, don't tell me Aang's expression there isn't kind of etchy? must be the earrings Well, okay, not really, but he definitely has that look in his eyes!!! Omg, I'm so happy right now! Finally, some normal Taang art!!!
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Post by marvel26 on Apr 6, 2008 6:28:34 GMT -5
This story will remain a Stone Mansion exclusive then.
But tell your friends. (Shameless)
Part 4 of the Wrecking Crew’s World Tour.
Previous parts can be found on pages 75, 86 and 89.
I’ve also kept them saved in Word format.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Moving On.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A new sun had dawned on the horizon, bathing Omashu’s palace guest rooms in a divine golden light, prompting its residents to rise and meet the new day. And when you’re the crown prince of entire nation of morning people, rising with the sun becomes more of rule rather than a guideline.
Stretching and popping joints back into place, Zuko yawned, grimacing slightly as he tasted the insides of his mouth.
“Blegh. Morning breath.” He mumbled, swinging his legs off the bed. Coughing lightly, he made his way over to a well polished silver shield and a golden basin filled with water to wash up. Just as he was about to dip his hands in the clear refreshing liquid, the barest of motion, reflected in the polished gleam of the shield, caught his scarred eye.
“What the…?” Zuko’s brow furrowed. A low moan came from behind him, FROM the bed,
“Just a few more minutes Suki….”
It took a few moments to gather strength and volume but Zuko’s less than manly cry served better than any Dragon-Rooster that morning.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Katara hummed her mother’s favorite Water Tribe folk tune, her sunny smile breaking into a full blown grin at the cry emitted from the directions of the guys’ quarters,
“Haaaa.” She sighed in satisfaction, getting ready to knock on Suki’s door. After a few knocks on the door and a couple more louder ones banging around from inside the room itself the Kyoshi Captain groggily appeared on the other side, her entire expression screaming in silent protest of being woken up at such an ungodly hour by such an unholy sound while suffering the most unbearable hangover.
“Wha?” Suki hoarsed out, “Dear Kyoshi….why is it so bright?! The light! It burns!”
As if speaking to a child, her future sister in law, rubbed the back of Suki’s head in a soothing fashion,
“That’s because you and Sokka came back in the wee hours of the night completely plastered and singing truly filthy pirate songs.”
“Uuuuhhhh….”
“And as to the wake up call, you can thank the Jerkbender for that.”
“Whaaaa…?”
“Why? Oh, let’s just say they both had it coming.”
------------------------------------------------------------------
“Zuko, don’t just stand there! I’ve got my hands full with Suki!”
“Heehee…Full Mast…hee…” Suki giggled uncontrollably at the euphemism, Katara made a face and leaned away from the Kyoshi warrior as the Captain let out a very impressive belch.
“Oh Yue! What did you drink?” Katara coughed fanning the space in front of Suki’s face.
“One more time!” Cried Sokka, throwing his arms upwards and stumbling towards Zuko, who easily sidestepped the younger man’s awkward gait,
“Three gold pieces for a brand new sail to catch the winds of luck, to port to port for an ale and a f….!”
Thankfully, the sound of drowning Sparrow-Cats was mercifully ended when Sokka lurched over the corridor rails and tumbled onto the paved stone courtyard.
“I am not touching that.” Zuko pointed at Sokka who was giggling to himself, mumbling something about ‘Aunty Katara’. Zuko noted the rather lewd squirms Sokka was making and shuddered whilst stifling a yawn, unlike the Water Siblings he did not function well at night.
“Zuko!” Katara hissed, “I can’t handle both of them.” She shifted her weight to prop a sagging Suki, who had, Spirits be praised, lapsed into unconsciousness. Unlike her husband-to-be, who had rolled face first into the ground and was currently kissing it…with tongue. Zuko arched a brow at the sight then gave Katara a meaningful look that said in volumes,
‘No. (Censored). Way.’
Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Katara laid it down for Zuko, “Look. Just…” She tried to find the right words, “Just make sure he doesn’t swallow his own tongue or something.”
Zuko cocked his head, observing Sokka’s actions which bordered on the risqué, “I’d be more concerned about him rehearsing for his wedding night.” The prince frowned when Sokka mumbled something most unsuitable for children to hear.
“Just keep an eye on him. I’ll be back after I get Suki to bed.”
“Oh Captain, what a magnificent harpoon…” muttered Suki, still very, very much in Drunken La-La Land.
“What did I do to deserve this?” Moaned Katara shuffling off with Kyoshi Captain in tow leaving Zuko to deal with Sokka,
“Well…” Zuko sighed, sitting down on the steps to the small courtyard. Sokka lay still for a moment. Zuko prodded Sokka with the toe of his shoe,
“This time you’ve really outdone yourself. You know that?” Zuko kicked Sokka’s grabby hands off his foot,
“Suuuu…kiii…”
“Spirits, look at yourself. Get a grip, man.”
“Hee…come to Captain Sokka…”
“What the F…! Get off my foot! Stop kissing it! Screw this! If Katara wants to bite my head off about this, she can do it in the morning when I’m rested and ready.”
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“Aaaand…when you went back Zuko was gone and Sokka was….?”
Suki’s eyes were still half lidded and bloodshot as she nursed the cup of tea Katara handed to her,
“Mumbling something about making me an Aunt.”
The Kyoshi Captain had still enough blood circulating to her face to blush, “Umm…then why’d you…?”
“Dump Sokka in Zuko’s room?” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Where did that Jerkbender go?” Katara fumed, hands on her hips, her left foot tapping the ground in annoyance. At her feet her elder brother had finally succumbed to sleep, mumbling and muttering every now and then.
“When I get my hands on you Zuko…” She growled, hooking her arms under Sokka’s to hoist him up. Something small, yellow and green moved in the corner of her view.
“Toph?”
“Eep!”
The Waterbender narrowed her eyes trying to make sure if it was indeed their little Earthbender that was sneaking out of the corridor…leading to Aang’s room.
“Toph?”
Quickly grabbing at whatever random excuses that swam in her mind, Toph tried to act nonchalant,
“Hey Sugar Queen. Whatcha doin’ up this late?”
Katara propped Sokka against the wall, her tone suspicious,
“Question is what are YOU going up?”
“L…Looking…looking for the bathroom. Yeah. I can’t find the bathroom.” Toph kicked herself. Stupid, stupid, stupid. That was the worst lie in her entire life and she was the Runaway! Con artist par freakin’ excellence!
‘Dammit Twinkles! Your hugs are mind clouding!’
Toph blushed a little, she did like those hugs anyway.
“Riiiiight.” Katara was about to call Toph’s bluff, knowing full well the staff had taken them on a brief tour of their quarters and layout of the guest compound, when Toph was saved by the bell…
“Gah! Sokka!”
“Ewww….Man, what did Snoozles eat and how did it die?”
Or in this case, barf.
Seething, Katara didn’t break her glare towards her hiccupping brother,
“Toph?”
“Uh….yeah?”
“How quietly can you earthbend?”
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“I have to admit I’ve never seen or heard Toph earthbend that quietly. She dug a tunnel from the courtyard to Zuko’s room, we laid Sokka on his bed and the rest…well, and you heard the results just now.”
Suki took in Katara’s calm recollection of the past nights series of unfortunate events. A calm Katara is just as bad as an enraged one. She’d have to remember that. Deciding to change the subject, Suki cleared her throat and grimaced at the taste of alcohol mixed with traces of morning breath or puke, she wasn’t quite sure which.
“Soooo…Toph sneaking out from Aang’s room huh?”
“Yes. Trying to find the bathroom she said. Like she expected me to fall for it.” Katara calmly took another sip, “Can’t believe she didn’t sense me.”
The two women sat in contemplative silence.
Katara was the first to break, smiling, “When do we start really giving it to her?”
Suki finished off her tea, “Once my hangover clears…Oi…my head…”
------------------------------------------------------------------
A ring of fire circled Zuko’s waist at arms length in diameter, signaling the onset of an imminent heat wave. Every living thing in the courtyard sensed the sharp spike in ambient temperature. From the lowly Tiger-Ant to the mighty Sky Bison.
Hawky flapped her wings in frantic haste, attempting to get away from her preferred master as Firehawk-ly possible. Momo screeched, darting into the nearest open room and diving under the bed. Appa simply grunted and floated off casually.
The ring of fire contracted slightly before exploding outwards in a massive wave with spectacular force. Before the flames dissipated, the prince rested his weight back onto his right foot, pulling his arms back and with that motion, the flame ring split into two fire whips.
Grabbing an end in each fist, Zuko snapped his wrists quickly, cracking both fire whips scarring the ground with twin scorch trails, burning the air with the faint odor of ozone. The prince quickly began his drill, in order to maintain the whips; he had to be in constant motion. There had to be a constant flux of energy both in and out of his body as he spun, flipped and leapt, whips like twin tails of fire flowing around him.
He threw his hands out and with them the whips. Seconds before the last embers of his fiery lashes died out a rapid series of hand motions pulled the energy back, snowballing from fading sparks into a miniature sun, maintained by the pouring of his own energy into it. Keeping his whole body in motion, Zuko moved in a waterbending manner to keep the fireball from going out.
In finishing, he let the ball float freely from his outstretched hand as he pulled his other back into to a blade strike. Fluidly, without the intention to strike, his fingers stabbed the gather ball, letting the energy course down his arm like liquid fire, drawing it to manifest back as a cohesive ball in his opposite hand.
Pushing the ball back to the front and center of his abdomen, Zuko slowly relaxed, releasing his hold over the fireball letting it finally go out. Just as the last spark was about to disappear, he snapped his fingers, causing the dying spark to explode, forming the Fire Nation’s Emblem.
“Huh.”
Zuko didn’t turn around. The owner of the unimpressed grunt, cracked his knuckles,
“That was pretty and all but it still looks like fancy froo-froo dancing to me. Let’s go a few rounds shall we?”
“Have you found her yet?” Said Zuko, his voice sounding eerily like his father’s, even if just for a moment. A moment was all it took to freak his companion out.
“Whoa…You sounded like…” Sokka thought better of it and decided to lie, “Like…your sister.”
Zuko smirked, putting his shirt back on, “I am good at impressions.”
“Apparently it’s not the only thing you’ve gotten good at.”
Both men turned to the new arrival. Sokka raised a questioning brow,
“How long have you been there?”
Mai kept her hands tucked in her sleeves and nodded a greeting to the Water Warrior who simply gave a casual “Morning” in return.
“That wasn’t our nation’s fighting style was it?” She asked even though she was quite clear on the answer. Zuko rotated his shoulder and cricked his neck,
“You don’t spend four years under the same roof with a waterbender and not pick up something.” He mused, ignoring Sokka’s shout of, “Move stealer!”
Mai cast her eyes to the side, “Right….four years….waterbender.” Sensing an awkward moment about to set in, since he was usually the center of one, Sokka cleared his throat,
“Ahem. So….what can we do for ya?”
Composing herself, Mai regarded Zuko again, “I was wondering if you’d care to join me for breakfast.”
“Well…” Zuko scratched his head; he had a busy day planned. Waterbenders to hunt down, vengeance to be wrought, honor to be restored, that sort of thing.
“Of course! We’d love too!” Exclaimed Sokka, throwing his arm around Zuko’s shoulder, “I’m starved! I’m sure the Fire-Hazard here is too.”
Zuko tossed Sokka’s arm off, “I’m sure you are. Since you vomited up most of yesterday’s meals last night.” The prince glared at the warrior, “We don’t have time remember? Or have you forgotten? You’re in this as well or are you backing out?”
“Hey.” Sokka narrowed his eyes, “She may be my little sister and I do applaud her little prank, but as big brother I do rightfully claim first crack on all Get-Backs.”
Zuko turned to Mai, looking apologetic, “I’m sorry Mai. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
“People to see, things to buy, traps to build.” Sokka listed off. Zuko rolled his eyes, “Yes.” He caught Mai’s slight frown, “Tell you what, we’ll get the others later on and we’ll have dinner. On me.”
“Wow….Zuko’s paying. I must have died and gone to the Spirit World.” Sokka looked around overdramatically, “Yue? Is that you?”
“All of you?”
Zuko nodded with a smile, “It’ll be like old times…except without Ty Lee…or Azula. Just a group of friends….what’s the word?” He looked to Sokka
“Chillin’.” Said the Water Tribesman picking his nails with the tip of his boomerang, his Water Tribe machete and black sword strapped on his back reminiscent of the way Zuko used to carry his swords. Where as the prince had taken to strapping his blades parallel to each other with one hilt facing down and the other up.
“Right…Chillin’.” Zuko rolled the word around his tongue; it was so…foreign to him. Sokka piped in just before Mai was about to speak, “Should we get Aang in on this too? I’m sure Toph would want to. She loves making Katara’s hair go white.”
“No. Aang would blab and Toph might sell us out for a laugh.”
“True. True.”
Zuko waved back as he raced after Sokka who was already at the gates of the guest compound. “Keep your schedule clear. Like I said, it’ll be just like old times.”
Mai gave him a small wave and despite her calm demeanor was beside herself,
“No. No it won’t.”
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“What’s he doing?”
Suki leaned in to whisper to Katara, the sight of Aang, seated in a lotus position, arrows glowing and looking very much in deep thought.
“He’s either paying the Spirit World a visit or they’re calling him. Let’s just hope it’s him who’s doing the visiting.”
“Why?”
“Nothing good ever comes when the Spirits visit.”
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“And that’s how it went.”
Avatar Roku stroked his long white beard, finishing his recount of his first date with his beloved wife Ta Min,
“Ah…good times. Good times.” Mused the old spirit as he reminisced about the old days…before it all went south.
“Please.” came a sinister voice, “That’s not how it really went.”
Both Avatars, young and old, alive and dead didn’t even bother to turn to the voice.
“Greetings gentlemen.”
“Koh.”
“Hello Pus Bucket”
The Face Stealer laughed, his large segmented body shaking as he did, the armored sections of his exo-skeleton scraping against each other.
It was like the dying screams of drowning Puppy-Kittens.
“Avatars.” He grinned, “Why the long faces?” Koh extended his first six legs as if to show he had nothing up his sleeves, no sleeves for that matter anyway,
Aang eyed the long crack running down the side of Koh’s painted face. A memento from the time Koh preyed on one of them four years ago.
One of them in particular.
“You should have that looked at.” Aang pointed. Koh scraped a clawed limb against the crack,
“I don’t know. I’ve been told it makes me looked distinguished.” Koh’s face switched to that of a nobleman complete with monocle and moustache.
“It has made your visage a little more palatable.” Muttered Roku, “What do you want Face Stealer?”
“Want a matching scar?” Offered Aang, “Or do you want one for each face?”
The nobleman’s face melted away revealing a bleached white skull which promptly got into the Airbender’s face,
“Ooooooh. My, aren’t you the big man now?” Koh’s tone turned dark, “Don’t push me, boy. You may have passed my previous test, the blind one is off my list, unless she calls on me, but that doesn’t mean you’re off limits to me. Do not take my gesture of goodwill lightly.”
Refraining from scowling, Aang retorted, “I’ve got a gesture for you too. Here.”
Koh reeled back in mock hurt, folding his multi segmented legs to himself,
“Wherever have the impeccable manners of Air Nomad’s gone? Is Avatar Yang Chen aware of this?”
Flesh and muscle oozed back onto the skull, reforming into the face of Avatar Kuruk’s beloved Ummi. Aang closed his eyes, not wanting to see the disgusting shapes Koh made as he swirled the poor woman’s face around like wet bloody clay.
“That’s not going to work, you know that.” Said the Airbender. Ummi’s face broke out in a smirk,
“That wasn’t for you.” Ummi’s eyes shifted to the left as if looking behind, “Hello Avatar Kuruk. How’ve you been holding up?”
The big Water Tribesman glowered, he wasn’t facing Koh. It didn’t matter to hide his emotions. Roku stepped forward, “You face three Avatars, Face Stealer. I would choose the better part of valor.”
“He faces five.” A calm melodic voice sang like a spring breeze. Avatars Yang Chen and Kyoshi soon appearing on either side of Kuruk.
“And a Moon Spirit.”
Ummi’s face swiveled back to Koh’s painted mask as Yue floated down to her friends. Yue made not effort to conceal her venomous expressions, “And my face he cannot take.”
Koh snarled. Whilst mortals and common spirits cowered in fear of him, the grand spirits of nature were his superiors. He could not attack them as he was simply unable to and even if he did, it would mean a visit from the Spirit of Vengeance and that meant a true death. One from which he would never be able to reconstitute himself.
Or worse.
“I see this is my cue to exit.” Koh bowed to the gathered Avatars and Moon Spirit in mock reverence, a sad attempt to; pardon the pun, save face.
Aang and Roku each placed a hand on Kuruk to restrain the big man from following the vile creature as the Face Stealer disappeared from sight cackling.
Once the air was clear of Koh’s sickening stench, Kuruk stopped his shaking and apologized,
“I’m sorry.”
Roku smiled, “We understand old friend.” Kuruk went on,
“It’s just that it’s been so long…”
As his predecessors consoled their friend, Aang looked at the spot where Koh vanished and back to Kuruk’s haunted loneliness. Koh had said Toph was no longer a target but since when was the word of the Face Stealer bond?
The young Avatar felt a hand on his shoulder. Yue smiled at him in concern, “Aang?”
“Hmmm?”
No. Koh might try again sometime in the future but he’d be ready for him.
“Are you alright?”
“Oh. I’m fine.”
The Moon Spirit smiled warmly, eyes sparkling with mischief,
“Oh good. Sooooo….you’ve found the other half of your heart huh?”
“Who told you?”
“I am the Moon Spirit. I see what you do at night.”
Aang could only stare back in horror,
“Everything?!”
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“Whatever’s going on in there, Aang must be pretty shy about it.” Suki peered closely at the Avatar, whose cheeks were beginning to flush pink.
Katara shook her head turning for the door, “Toph’s obviously not here.”
Suki laughed, “Yeah. Like she’d get caught sneaking her torrid affairs with Aang again.”
The Waterbender shuddered, “Must you make it sound so…dirty?”
---------------------------------------------------------------
Two steps in, two strikes out, two slabs of earth folded over.
One step back with foot stomp, two boulders up.
Two palm strikes out to the sides, two boulders get turned into shrapnel grenades with explosive results.
A row of Blue Rose bushes got shredded into confetti.
“Maybe you should write the words ‘Front Toward Enemy’ on them.”
Toph jumped slightly at Mai’s voice, “Geez! Where’d you come from? You’re almost as light footed as Twinkle Toes!”
“Twinkle Toes?” Mai smirked, though she’d never admit it, she found Toph’s nicknames for her friends rather amusing.
“That would be Aang. You know? The Avatar?” Toph replied snidely, getting back to her workout, “Maybe I’ll call you Shadow-Feet.”
“I’m honored.” Mai droned. The Baroness sat on a railing overlooking the backyard of the guest compound which, unlike the stone paved front yard, was a rock garden lined with Blue Rose bushes and fruit trees,
“Mind if I watch?”
Toph shrugged her shoulders, “Meh. Do what you want. Now shut up and let me earthbend.”
Not really caring if Mai did keep silent or not, Toph started anyway shifting into her familiar modified Mantis stance but stood still before speaking,
“Ya know what? Maybe I can use your help.”
“I didn’t offer it.” Mai shrugged.
“I’m demanding it.” Replied Toph, still in attack position. Mai regarded the younger girl, who had and still amazed her. So young, so frail looking and to top it off, blind. Yet this was the little girl…no, young woman who managed to mow down legions of Fire Troopers during the war.
Not waiting for a reply Toph shouted up to her, “I need targets.”
“I’m in no mood to be your punching dummy.”
“Not you! Your knives! Just throw’em at the ground or something.”
Mai tucked her hands into her sleeves, already grasping at the soothingly familiar cold steel of her tools of the trade, “Why don’t I get some guards to spar with you?”
“I don’t wanna hurt anyone. Just throw the knives okay?”
Sighing Mai casually flicked her wrist, sending three slivers of steel screaming towards the ground. Each impact point was soon covered by an angled spike of earth. And judging by the angle, Mai could see that Toph was aiming for the head of her imaginary targets.
“Not bad.”
“Not bad? Lady, I’m even better.”
“Well, let’s find out shall we?”
“Princess Iron Fan! Are you sure you wanna get your butt handed to you this early?”
Suki and Katara walked out of the hallway. Suki kept on walking towards Toph, her golden fans sliding into her hands, whilst Katara broke off and walked towards Mai exchanging quick pleasantries.
“Hello Mai…I mean Baroness.”
“It’s just a title Bumi gave Ambassador. He gives them out like rock candy.”
Katara chuckled, “Yep. That’s Bumi for you. And just call me Katara.”
The sound of the ground cracking made them turn their attention towards the two fighters. A large spike of earth was jutting out of the ground and Suki was balanced gracefully on it. The Kyoshi Captain smirked and taunted,
“Come on Toph. You can do better than that.”
“Wow. Not bad for someone who’s supposed to have a hang over. Here, let me get you down.” Toph swung her arms outwards in a circle, causing the spike to open up like a deadly lotus. Having cleared the spike by leaping off it, Suki aimed to land behind Toph. The earthbender ducked the mid air swipe of Suki’s fans above her head.
“How?”
“My best friend’s an Airbender. Duh.”
Toph rolled over to her blossomed death lotus, sending out the petals with each thrust and strike of her palms and fists.
“Sure he’s just a friend?” teased Suki, ducking and weaving the large flat stone projectiles. The next petal fragmented into a million pellets.
“Holy…!”
Suki barely had enough time to open her fans to shield herself from the rain of earth.
“Are you gonna talk or fight?” Toph huffed kicking her heel up high, sending out a loose fin-like wave of dirt. A pair of golden fans pierced and spread it apart, casting dirt and earth asunder. Suki would have counter attacked, had it not been that Toph was already in her face with a fist cocked back,
“Heya Princess Iron Fan.”
Toph wasn’t quite as proficient as Suki in terms of close quarters hand to hand, making it easy for the Kyoshi Captain to dodge the punch by cocking her head to the left. Parrying the misplaced fist, Suki hooked an arm under Toph’s armpit and tossed the shorter girl over her shoulder.
“We were going to ask you to come along for a walk through the city.” Suki began to spin her fans with increasing speed as she circled Toph.
“Boring.” Toph snorted, keeping her senses keen to Suki’s footsteps. Suki smiled and replied in a sing-song voice,
“Yeah. We figure you might want to just stay here and assault Aang again.”
Toph spluttered with a blush, “I do…I do not assault him!”
“You beat on him, call him names, that’s assault.” Suki leaned in with a devilish grin, “Why? What ever did you think I meant?”
‘They know.’ Toph’s mind reeled, ‘Well of course they know. Two nights spent in each others arms, one of which you got caught sneaking away from by Sugar Queen of all people!’
“So? What? You guys are gonna grill me all throughout our little girly shopping trip?” Toph gathered the earth around her into a dome which she split into two ellipse shaped shield weapons for each of her arms.
Knowing it would be futile to lie to her; Suki nodded enthusiastically, leaping at the younger girl. “Yep.”
“If I say no?” Toph braced herself for impact by planting her shields squarely in front of her.
“We’re going to grill you anyway!” Laughed Suki, her fans clanging against Toph’s shields.
“Oh joy.”
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Post by marvel26 on Apr 6, 2008 6:29:40 GMT -5
Part 4b
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Mai took in Toph and Suki’s verbal exchange with mild interest, “So. The Avatar and the Earthbender….”
Katara sighed wistfully, “Oh they grow up so fast.” She aimlessly played with a glob of water she pulled from her water skin, “And to think they were the ‘babies’ of the group.”
Though she was facing forwards, Mai’s eyes were cast to her left watching Katara mold the silvery ball of water into various shapes, the Waterbender’s eyes never leaving her friends.
A cone. A cube. A disc. A star.
Mai spoke off handedly, “How’s Zuko been doing?”
The Fire Nation insignia.
Mai watched as the water flowed over Katara’s arm, across her shoulders and over to the opposite hand, mirroring what she’d seen Zuko do earlier. Unlike the prince, Katara’s water did not reform into a ball; instead it took the form of a roaring dragon’s head. The Baroness felt a drop in temperature, still observing with interest as the air around Katara’s fist condensed, the dragon’s head crystallizing into a gauntlet of ice around it.
“Nice dragon design.”
Katara smiled at the compliment, “Thanks. You don’t spend four years in the Fire Nation capital and not get influenced by certain things.”
“You didn’t answer my first question.”
Katara guarded herself at Mai’s tone, unsure of the older girl’s implication, “Well, ask you’ve seen he’s still a jerk. And he’s supposed to be the eldest.”
Mai scoffed, cupping her chin in her hand, “Men do tend to be slower in maturity.”
Katara bit her lip at the memory of last night’s stunt, “Well…..” The dragon’s head melted and flowed into a forearm guard with clawed finger tips.
“I don’t think I’ve seen waterbending used like that.”
Katara cleared her throat, “Yes, well…some of this stuff I learned from a crazy old bag. Some if it’s pretty useful,” She shuddered at the memory of Hama’s cackling face, “Others I wish I could forget.”
“Like Bloodbending.” Mai pointed, hinting at Azula’s involuntary change in personality because of it.
“Despite what you might think, Azula got off lucky.” Katara’s voice had an edge to it.
“I never said her name.”
“You were implying it.” Katara closed her eyes, her water reforming and sliding back into her waterskin, “It could have been much worse.” “Worse than changing a person’s very personality?”
“Look I don’t know what I did!” Katara was losing her cool, who was this woman to lecture her? “Desperate times needed desperate actions. She would have killed Zuko if I didn’t stop her!”
Mai’s stony expression dropped just a little.
Katara’s eyes were still closed, the water maiden shivering a little, “I just wanted to hold her in place but …but she kept struggling. I pushed a little more…next thing I know she dropped like a dead weight. When she woke up three days later, the first thing she did was vomit out mouthfuls of blood, some of it was dried and black. I thought, ‘I did that to her. I’m a monster. I’m just like Hama.’”
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Katara ran threw the devastated palace grounds, hands cupping her ears as she tried to will the horrible sound of the Fire Princess retching up her own blood.
The pained gurgles and chokes, the splats of congealed dark blood at each glob hit the floor.
And the sight of Ursa, barely holding her own tears back at her daughter’s plight. Katara nearly wept right then and there when the older woman took her daughter into her arms gently, cooing and soothing the injured princess. It was a quick flash, but Katara thought she saw her own mother instead.
Finally she reached the fallen gates of the palace, which bore all the hallmarks of Toph’s metalbending handiwork.
‘Leave.’ Said a voice, ‘Leave now and never come back.’
“Where do you think you’re going?”
She turned back quickly and there was her brother supporting a heavily bandaged Zuko. Her brother repeated his question,
“Where do you think you’re going?” Sokka gave a half smile, jerking his thumb back, “The palace is that way.”
Katara made no attempt to reply. Once he saw the tears in his sister’s eyes, his tone softened,
“Sis…”
The voice returned, stronger now, ‘Leave now and never come back.’
“I’m sorry…” She whimpered, turning back towards the gates. A hoarse cracked voice said only one word to halt her,
“Coward.”
Sokka glared at his semi-friend, “Hey!”
Zuko ignored the younger lad, “I thought you said you’d never turn your back on those that needed you?”
Taking her silence in, Zuko carried on, nudging Sokka to release him,
“Hey man…you’re…”
“I’ll be fine.” The prince hobbled towards the shaking Waterbender, “And right now there’s an entire medical wing filled with people who need you.” Zuko thought about his next words,
“Your friends need you. Your family needs you.”
Katara wrapped her arms around herself, still shaking. Zuko held out and arm to prevent her brother from going to her. The prince silently shook his head and mouthed, ‘Let me handle this.’
“They don’t need me. They don’t need a monster.”
“The only monster in this palace…is dead.” Zuko winced, remembering his father’s dying words,
‘I have no son.’
Zuko went on, “The monsters are gone.”
“How can you say that?” Katara sobbed, “After what I did to your sister?”
“After how you stopped her from killing me?”
“No! I bloodbended her! I swore never to do it again!”
Zuko roared, “And I’m glad you did!” Even Sokka was taken aback, if it had been Katara who was treading the fine line between life and death, he’d…he wasn’t sure what he’d do…it wouldn’t be pretty that’s for sure.
“I could have killed her!”
“But you didn’t!” Zuko got close enough to grasp her biceps, “You could have stopped her heart, reversed her blood flow, caused her blood vessels to erupt.”
Katara’s pained expression broke as she wailed, struggling to get away from him “NO!”
Sokka was about to step in, forcibly pushing Zuko away if he had to. He’d come to respect the older boy, but this was his sister….
Just like Azula was…is Zuko’s…
The water tribe boy relaxed a little, letting the prince do his thing,
“But you didn’t.” Zuko repeated, “You didn’t kill her.”
“I didn’t know what I was doing! I didn’t want to hurt her like that!”
Rough thumbs brushed over her smooth cheeks, rubbing the tears away,
“Then learn how to do it. Learn how to bloodbend properly. Learn to control it.”
“No! It’s sick and wrong!”
“Only if you do it wrong.” The prince decided to take a chance and held the girl in his arms a little closer to his chest, “If I can take lighting and use it for good, you can do the same for bloodbending.”
Sokka arched a brow, “What the F…?” They were too close for HIS comfort.
“I could hurt someone really badly.” Katara still wasn’t giving up, “No. Never again.”
Zuko sighed, “Then learn how the human body works. We have extensive medical journals and books in the Royal library.” He held the shivering girl out, looking into her eyes,
“You are not that witch you told me about. You are not my sister. You are not my father. Turn what you think is evil into something good. Overcome it.”
“How can you not hate me?”
The prince smiled sadly, “What made you stop hating me?”
“She’s your sister!”
“That she is. And will always be. Just like you and Sokka.”
Sokka cleared his throat, “Yes. Her BROTHER. Now watch your hands!” Zuko grumbled, “As soon as you help me. Right now your sister’s the only thing keeping me upright.”
“Whatever. Just keep your hands above the waist…but not too high! In fact, stop touching her!”
Golden eyes rolled in their sockets, “And I guess I need you too.” He said warmly. Katara blinked, wiping her tears away,
“Wha?”
“I need you to heal my legs so that I can kick your brother in places Agni doesn’t shine.”
“Haha…” She laughed weakly, still not convinced by the prince in regards to her bloodbending. Wiping away her tears, she gently propped him onto her brother’s shoulder. Sokka glowered at the prince,
“That was not cool. You do not touch my sister like that.”
“Same to you.”
“I’ve got Suki!”
“Yeah well….I’m not sure about you. Azula was mouthing off about you.”
“LIES!”
Katara looked back at the gates and then to the bickering twosome. The voice called out one more time,
‘Leave.’
It sounded so much like Hama.
‘Leave. Monster.’
Sokka called back to her, “Hey! Sis! You coming?!” Zuko added on, “Yes, please come and shut him up!”
She made her decision,
“Monsters don’t have family and friends. I do.”
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This was the first ever Mai had of Azula’s accident and quite frankly she was not all that surprised by Katara’s recounting of Zuko’s words.
‘They’ve spent four years under the same roof. Something’s bound to have happened.’ She surmised, ‘Four years can be a long time.’
“Thought you said he was a jerk?” Mai countered. Katara nodded her head, eyes wide, “Oooh yes. He is. He’s egotistical, stubborn, hardheaded…why if he were born in the Earth Kingdom I’d swear he and Toph would be siblings. If you asked him, he’d say the same thing about me.”
Mai just kept on looking at Suki and Toph battle it out, with the advantage going to the Kyoshi Warrior. Katara kept going,
“And his sense of ‘honor’, sometimes I just wanna….rraagh!” The water bender mimed strangling the prince, her fingers hooked around an imaginary throat.
Mai shut her eyes, her voice calm and collected,
“Do you like him?”
It was sudden, unprepared for and completely out of the blue.
“What?”
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“Aww…spill Tophy. Give us all the dirty details.”
Toph scrunched up her face in disgust,
“Ewww. You and Snoozles really do fit together.” She hurled one of her shields, embedding itself in wall space above Suki’s head, neatly trimming of few strands of hair,
“Hey!”
The second shield was split into two, forming twin earth bladed tonfas. Toph took a few practice swings before ending into a battle stance.
“How would you like if I trimmed your hair?!’ Yelled the Kyoshi Warrior, “By the way does Aang like your hair down or is he fine as is?” “I don’t know and I don’t care!”
Toph lunged at the older girl, earth tonfa clashing with golden fan. Suki smiled, “This is new.”
“I’ve got a few more tricks.” The right tonfa swiveled in Toph’s grip. Suki grunted as the smaller girl rammed the shorter end into her gut, she barely blocked the downward swing with her fans.
The force of Toph’s blow caused dust and dirt to kick up obscuring Suki’s vision. Fanning the dust away with a few swipes, Suki rubbed her eyes free of any dirt still bothering her, only to find that Toph had hooked the handle of her weapons behind her ankles,
“Uppsie daises’!” Laughed the young earthbender, yanking Suki off her feet. Toph stomped her back foot, a slab of earth flipping out from behind Suki to catch the older girl hard in the back and to push her forward into Toph’s waiting tonfas.
Toph’s winning grin quickly vanished when Suki caught her wrists.
“Hey! No fair!”
Suki didn’t say anything, just smiled sweetly and swept Toph’s all seeing feet from underneath her.
Expecting the younger girl to fall flat on her butt or back, Suki was amazed when Toph didn’t. In fact the blind earthbender landed upside down supported on one hand, held that position and then sprung back up, twisting the ground beneath her hand forming a earth cyclone . The Kyoshi Warrior was impressed by the earthbender’s new found acrobatics and skill, deftly dodging each flying piece of stone and earth.
“You HAVE been spending time with Aang.”
“We have not!”
“Aww. Come one Toph. You know I’m your biggest supporter.” Suki threw her fans, making as much silent noise with them as possible, making Toph flinch at the high pitched whining they made.
“If I were to describe the two of you it’d be like…like…” Suki began a set of flips and hand springs towards Toph, the earthbender’s ears still ringing from the high frequency fan blades which also screwed up her ‘earth sight’,
“It’d be like a refreshing glass of orange juice. Very tangy and sweet.”
“What about you and Snoozles?!” Countered Toph, Blocking Suki’s downward high strike at the last moment when she felt the warrior’s back heel hit the ground, “I can ‘hear’ you guys at night! Have you no shame?!”
Suki shrugged, “We haven’t done anything too far out yet.” She hid her face mock demurely, “I am still an unwed lady you know. Besides, you’ll get to know the feeling.”
“Ummm...” Toph blushed. Hugs and snuggles were all she could handle at the moment. They hadn’t even kissed yet! And to think she once tried to lay a wet one on Sokka but instead got Suki.
“I’m sure Aang would turn into mud in your hands. Or maybe you feel like you’re floating on air when he kisses you?”
Toph shook grinding her teeth,
“Hey! Not in front of strangers!” She pointed in Mai’s direction. Suki wrinkled her nose, “Mai’s hardly a stranger.” She unconsciously felt a few old scars but she didn’t hold a grudge against the dark haired woman. She was just doing her duty like any other soldier. Now Azula one the other hand….
“And are you admitting you want a big ol’ Avatar powered kiss?”
“Do you want a fat lip?” Toph raised a shaking fist, still blushing at the thought of Aang kissing her, “Let’s see you kiss Snoozles with that.”
“I think we’ll find a way around that…” Suki let her sentence trail off implying many, many…things.
“Ack!” Toph gagged. By now both women had stopped and were just standing there trading verbal jabs.
“So what do you say? Wanna come with us for a little stroll?” Suki’s eyes slit up, “We can give you a make over. Make you all pretty and sparkly for Aang….maybe something in pink…”
“I don’t do ‘Pretty’, I don’t do ‘Sparkly and I sure as Hell DON’T DO PINK!” Toph hollered back, “Twinkles likes me just the way I am!”
‘And the truth shall set you free.’ Suki chuckled to herself, “Awww…not even a little pink?”
Toph pointed back furiously, “Hey! Are you turning into that circus girl?”
It was Suki’s turn to shudder, “Argh. Not her.” Ty Lee wasn’t that bad a person in her eyes. In fact if it weren’t for the fact that the acrobat did not, could not and would not get it into her head that Sokka was hers, they might even be friends.
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“This is juvenile.”
“No. This is payback!” Sokka shouted dramatically, turning back to the display counter of the shop they were in. He looked up at the shopkeeper, pointing to something beneath the glass,
“That one.”
Zuko threw his hands up, “Look, all we have to do is confront your sister. Make her apologize for her little stunt and be done with it.”
Sea blue eyes looked at him skeptically,
“Since when has my sister ever apologized to you?”
Zuko’s mouth opened but nothing came out for a while, “Point taken.” Zuko peered over Sokka’s shoulder, trying to see what the younger man was fiddling around with.
“What’s that?”
Sokka smiled, “Oh? Nothing. Just something for Suki. I proposed to her in the Water Tribe way.” Sokka slid the lid off the small wooden box and lifted the small silver ring into the light,
“Thought I should do it her way too.”
“Well now. Look at you. Mr. Family Man. So where and when’s the wedding?”
Sokka placed the ring back and handed the box to the shop keeper, pointing to look at another set of rings,
“Coming winter…or spring.”
“Your traditions or hers?”
Sokka scratched his head, “Ya know…I don’t know.” He held up a gold ring for inspection, “How are things done at your place? What stuff do the men give the women?”
“Easy. Couple goes to their nearest magistrate. He officiates. Done deal. Feast back at the groom’s place. As for engagement gifts, you have your ribbon necklaces right? The Earth Kingdom uses rings. We have hair ornaments. Pins and such.”
“I see. You guys do like your hair. So what if you were the one getting married? Do you go to a local magistrate or something?”
Zuko closed his eyes for a moment, trying to remember, “Umm...my uncle would officiate if it were me getting married.”
“Aang said something about your great grandfather Roku getting married.”
“Yes. My other great grand father conducted the ceremony.”
“So what if the Fire Lord himself gets married?”
“All Crown Princes have to be married before accepting the title of Fire Lord but if it really came down to it, I think Aang, as the Avatar, could do it.”
Sokka raised a brow in question. Zuko nodded in agreement, “You’re right. He couldn’t even lead Tiger-Ants to a picnic. Let alone a wedding.”
“So? Your uncle and mom hounding you to get hitched yet?”
Zuko sighed, remembering his uncle’s and mother’s parting words, just before the Fire Lord chucked his nephew and their resident waterbender onto Appa’s saddle, “Yes.”
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“Remember Avatar! Don’t bring them back until they’ve learned how to be civilized human beings around each other!”
“Or if they give me grandchildren!”
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Zuko decided to keep that last part to himself and not to said waterbender’s overprotective brother.
“What about Mai?”
“Hmmm?”
Sokka repeated, “What about Miss Doom and Gloom? You guys were together right?”
“The main word being ‘Were’.”
“What?” Sokka peered into a large diamond encrusted ring, “No more love?”
“I’m not sure if there ever was.” Zuko looked away, trying to distract himself by eyeing the other pieces of jewelry in the store.
“She seemed pretty in love to me this morning.” Sokka caught Zuko’s glance, “I’m not that dense. No matter what you’ve heard from my sister, Toph or Suki, I am not that dense.”
“So says the man who had a twelve year old crushing on him.”
“You got me there. I’m glad I didn’t have to break it to her badly.”
“You’re lucky we found Suki and the problem solved itself.”
Sokka’s tone turned grateful, “Yeah. Thanks again…for finding Suki.”
“Bah.” Zuko waved his friend’s gratitude off, “I had to do something to win your sister’s trust.”
“I don’t think you did back then…I mean if I remember correctly she thought you attacked Suki…”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Anyway, back to Miss Gloom and Doom.”
“Her name’s Mai. You just used her name a minute ago. Please remember and use her name.”
“Touchy. You sure there’s nothing there?”
“Do you still love Princess Yue?”
“Low blow, man.”
“Do you?”
Sokka smiled to the shopkeeper, “I’ll just keep looking. Thanks.” The man nodded and left to busy himself with something else in the shop. Sokka answered the prince,
“Yes. Yes I do.” Zuko motioned for him to continue with an up turned palm, “But it’s different. I’ve moved on. I can’t keep grieving over her death and from what Aang’s told me, she’s keeping an eye out for me and Suki.”
“I don’t know how you can sleep at night.”
“Believe me it was not easy at first. I didn’t dare go near Suki for a month, until Aang told me Yue was laughing her butt off back in the Spirit World about the whole thing.”
“Basically she gave you her blessing.”
“I guess. Does, ‘Tell that silly boy to stop beating around the icicles and just kiss the girl already!’ count?”
“Sounds like advice you’d get everyday.”
“Hey!”
“I’m sorry,” Zuko clearly didn’t mean it, “Carry on.” He waved dismissively earning a scowl from Sokka,
“Yeah. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that I still love Yue but she’s gone now. In the past. I have to focus on the present and the future. Suki’s my future.”
“Wow.”
Sokka smiled with pride, “I know. Deep huh?”
“No. I just realized how little it relates to Mai and I. This entire conversation was a waste of time.”
“Oi! I just bared my soul to you! We were having a moment!”
The shopkeeper returned and glanced at the two men, he turned to Sokka,
“If you’re looking for a ring for your…partner…I’ll be needing his finger measurements. All my rings are for women.”
Disgusted and red faced, Zuko snarled at Sokka,
“I hate you.”
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“Roku?”
“Yes Aang?”
“What’s it like? Ya know….”
The elder spirit stroked his beard sagely, “Death? It’s a little tingly when you move on but it’s how you die that’s the killer.”
“Buried by a volcano can’t be pleasant.” Aang nodded, “But that’s not what I wanted to ask. What’s it like being married? You’re the only Avatar I know who is. Kuruk never got to, Kyoshi chose to stay single and Yang Chen chose to be an Abbess.”
Roku’s eyes softened, “Aang?”
“Yes?”
“What’s the greatest joy you’ve ever experienced?”
“I don’t know. Everyday’s a joy to me.”
“You must have. If not you wouldn’t be asking me now would you?”
“I…I know the difference between loving my friends and loving Toph. I just don’t know if I’m rushing things. I visited her once a month for the past four years and now I just blurt it out. That can’t be normal right?”
“Well then. Let’s start from the beginning shall we? When did you first feel for her?”
“We have Koh to thank for that.”
“Yes. The worm does have some use.”
Aang recalled the series of events following his defense of Toph’s soul. Naturally, Toph had no memory of what transpired and he never told anyone what really happened. The rest of the crew knew that Toph was being attacked from the Spirit World but they did not know by whom.
The Face Stealer had offered a deal. His ‘love’ for Katara in exchange for Toph’s soul. He felt ashamed of himself now that he’d even considered the Face Stealer’s offer.
In the end, he made his decision, telling the slimy worm to go jump in the Great Divide. He’d wrestle Toph’s soul from him if he had to.
From what Katara told him after the ordeal, that while he was in the Spirit World, Toph had stopped breathing for a few minutes before starting again.
He remembered Koh’s words clearly,
“Who do you love more?”
Thinking back, Aang was surprised with his own reply,
“I don’t know. I’m just a kid but I know what’s right and what’s wrong. You have no right to Toph’s soul. Get your filthy claws off her. Now.”
Koh, of course, refused.
And Aang made good on his promise.
The crack on Koh’s face a reminder of his convictions.
Not bad for being just a kid.
Roku spoke again,
“And how did you feel holding her soul?”
“Happy. Very happy. It was so warm. So filled with love just waiting to come out. But back then she had this thing for Sokka….so I didn’t think much about it.”
“And what was the first thing you did, coming out of the Spirit World?”
“Pass out?”
“Umm…after that.”
A smiled ghosted Aang’s lips, “I went to see her. To see if she was alright.”
“Was she?”
Aang didn’t hear Roku’s last question, “Katara was there too. But I didn’t see her. I just saw Toph. Lying on her bed. All tucked in. So peaceful. So safe. I didn’t even see Katara at all.”
The old Avatar nodded with a smile, “I believe you’ve answered your own questions?”
“It couldn’t have been then…could it?”
“You said so yourself. You were young. You were unsure and now you’ve had four years to think.”
“All I could think about was making my meetings with her. But I have to put the world before her….”
“And you did. You still are. You never abandoned your duties as Avatar. You’ve kept the balance.”
Roku rubbed his young successor’s shoulder comfortingly, “You’re human Aang. No one can fault you for having a heart.”
Aang smiled back, “But it’s not just mine anymore is it?”
The old Avatar’s eyes twinkled,
“No. Not just yours.”
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Post by marvel26 on Apr 6, 2008 6:30:31 GMT -5
Part 4c
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“Excuse me?”
“I’m sure I spoke quite clearly.”
Mai’s expression was the very vision of calm. But inside she was nervous as Hell. Frankly she was unprepared if Katara were to say yes, despite her own consolations to herself earlier.
“D…Do I like him?”
“Yes. Do you?”
Katara carefully chose her words,
“Yes…and no.”
Mai kept silent but motioned Katara to continue.
“He’s my friend, yes. But not anymore than that….”
Mai noted Katara’s sentence trailing off, “And?”
“And nothing.” Snapped Katara, “Why are you asking me this? You’re his girlfriend.”
“Was. Was his girlfriend.”
Katara heard the sadness in the Baroness’ voice, “You still care for him don’t you?”
Mai closed her eyes and sighed,
“Yes.”
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“I don’t get it. If she still likes you, why not?”
“Because I don’t know if I still feel the same way.”
The two men were seated at the very same bar Sokka and Suki got tick plastered at the previous night. Zuko came to look at Sokka with a new unflattering light when a few regulars called to the warrior,
“Hey! It’s Mr Banana-in-my-pants!”
“Why not?” Sokka repeated, taking a sip of his fruit juice, Zuko having forbidden him to touch any alcohol under pain of firebending death.
“Because I’ve changed. That’s what people do over time Sokka. I’m sure she’s changed as well.”
“Aang’s still an idiot on an air-scooter. Katara’s still breathing down our necks. Toph’s as stubborn as always and you’re still a jerk. How’s that called change?”
Zuko grunted slamming his mug down, “I wish you didn’t have these rare flashes of wisdom.”
“What do you mean rare?”
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“And he told you how he felt?”
Toph nodded in silence. Suki suppressed the urge to squeal, “And?” She prompted,
“And nothing.” Toph muttered, dunking her head deeper into the bath water in an attempt to hide her blush. The green clad duo had long since left the gardens, leaving Mai and Katara to converse and from what Toph could feel, it was pretty heavy.
Suki reached into the water and pulled Toph back out,
“Ow! Watch the hair!”
“I wasn’t even pulling that hard.” Toph narrowed her eyes still keeping mum. Suki treid to reason,
“Toph, I know you’re not into ‘talking’ about your feelings but it never hurts to have a friendly ear to listen to you.”
Suki strained her ears at Toph’s mumbled whisper,
“What was that?”
“I said: it’s complicated.”
“Why?”
“Because…” Toph took a deep breath, “Because when he said he liked me…more than a friend. I…I...I didn’t say yes.”
“How did he take it?”
Toph smiled a little at Aang minor freak out at her answer last night, “I asked him if he was sure. You know. Sugar Queen and all that. He freaked a little, thought he’d made things weird between us. Thought I didn’t like him back.”
“And do you?”
“I don’t know. I do…I think.”
“What did you say?”
“I took his hand and told him what he said to me four years ago. That friendship can stand the test of time. Lifetimes even.”
“And how did he take it?”
“He didn’t say anything. I hugged him and we…cuddled.”
“Aww….” Suki beamed, still trying desperately not to squeal, “I think that’s a yes on both sides Tophy. Remember? Aang once saved you in the Spirit World.”
Toph frowned, “No. I don’t. Not really. You guys said I got real sick and Twinkles went into the Spirit World to help me. I don’t remember what happened.”
Suki sat back in her own bathtub, “He never told us.” Her smile grew, “But I remember what he said before he passed out.”
“What?”
“Is she okay? Is she alright. Please let her be alright. Please.” Suki turned to her younger friend, “Sokka and Zuko had to carry him off. He was still mumbling about you.”
Toph’s cheeks grew even redder. Suki continued, “He was so frantic when he woke up. Came rushing to your room. Katara told me the look on his face when he saw you still asleep.”
Toph turned her head to face Suki general direction. The Kyoshi Captain reached placing a hand on the Blind Bandit’s shoulder,
“He was crying Toph. He was smiling like he’d seen his first rainbow and he was crying.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
“I’m not dense either Sokka. I saw Mai’s eyes. She still has feelings for me.”
“Then?”
“Then what?” Zuko challenged, “What could possibly happen next? We get back together and have two and half children while spending the rest of our days in wedded bliss.”
“That is an option.”
“That would work if I loved her.”
Sokka finished his drink, signaling the barkeep for another, “You know what Zuko. You are a jerk.”
“I didn’t...I didn’t mean it like that!” Running his hands through his long hair, Zuko cried in frustration, “Gah!”
“Either you like her or you don’t. That simple.”
“No. No it isn’t.”
Sokka looked at the heap that was once Zuko, “Oh Yue, you’re not having another one of your ‘Confused about life’ phases are you?”
“Yes. Yes I am.”
------------------------------------------------------------------
The day passed quickly. Mai returned to her duties as Bumi’s deputy, after informing Katara about Zuko’s dinner offer, handling the court with razor sharp efficiency.
Sokka and Zuko visited a few more jewelry shops, well more like Sokka went and dragged Zuko along with him. The prince made no more mention of his current life dilemma. He just wished Sokka would stop asking him his opinions on the rings he’d wanted for Suki.
Gave folks the wrong impression.
Mai had left Katara somewhat astonished. On one hand, she was surprised that Mai still cared for Zuko. On the other, part of her wondered wistfully if she’d ever experience something like that.
There was Aang but that was a comedy in the making.
Haru was nice….but a little too nice.
Jet….poor deluded Jet.
And Zuko…best not think of Zuko right now.
Katara ended her train of thought with this,
“I have lousy luck with men.”
Sokka would have said ‘Taste’.
Toph and Suki finished their bath and regrouped with Katara. The two older girls began their squee-fest when Suki announced that they would be giving Toph a make over. Make her all dazzled for Aang.
It took three threats of broken fingers and one attempt at said threats before they relented. Still they did her hair and dressed her in somewhat fancier versions of her regular travelling clothes.
And by fancier, they meant CLEAN.
And Aang…was still in his meditative state
--------------------------------------------------------------------
“Is your wife here with you?”
“No. Sadly, Ta Min passed through the Wheel of Life and was re-incarnated.” Roku took a deep breathe, even though he did not need to, “Only Avatars may choose to stay in the Spirit World. All other souls must go through the Wheel for life to continue existing. Eventually we will have to pass through it ourselves.”
“But Koh…”
“Serves as a prison for those who have sinned.”
“Ummi didn’t…”
“But Kuruk did.”
“That’s not fair.”
“No. It isn’t. But that is the way of things.”
Aang took a moment before asking his next question,
“Is there a way to keep a normal soul here?”
“You wish to be with Miss Bei Fong till the end of time.” Roku did not phrase it as a question. Aang nodded.
“Aang. No one can stop the Wheel of Life. Besides, weren’t you the one who said friendships can last life times?”
“You said that.”
“So I did.” Laughed Roku, his voice warm and inviting. Like the kindly grandfather figure he’d come to represent.
Aang felt a tug in his astral body. A faint shout carried over the spiritual plains,
“Twinkle Toes!”
Roku patted Aang’s back, “I believe you are needed back amongst the living?”
Aang grinned wearily,
“No rest for the weary.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Grey eyes shot open as the blue glow faded. Aang instantly felt the burn of sunlight on his eyes as well as a sharp pain in his left shoulder,
“Ow….who hit me?”
“I did, Twinkles.” Toph placed her fist under his nose, “You’ve got some nerve sleeping till now.”
“I wasn’t sleeping. I was talking to…”
“Yeah yeah yeah. Spirit World mumbo jumbo. Whatever.” She pulled on his arm, “Eww. You’re all sticky.”
“I haven’t washed up yet.”
“Then get cleaned. We’ve got a dinner to go to. Coal-For-Brains is buying.”
“Zuko’s buying? Am I still in the Spirit World?”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
“What’s the occasion Firedancer?” Toph chimed, metal bending the polished steel plates for fun, “We could have just eaten at the palace.”
“Well, I just wanted to take a break from palace food. Like Uncle always says, too much rich food isn’t good for you.”
“No it isn’t!”
“Sokka shush.”
“But Suki….this place is vegetarian!” Sokka glared across the table at Aang, “I blame you.”
“Stop picking on him!” Toph yelled, throwing a bread roll at Sokka’s forehead, “That’s my job!”
“Aww…Aangy’s got a girlfriend.” Teased Sokka deftly grabbing the roll out of mid air and taking a chomp out of it.
“Sokka, shut up.” Hissed Katara, picking up another piece of mock meat to add to her bowl of rice.
“But…but…she…”
“Yes, Zuko this is just like old times.” Mai’s eyes were filled with amusement as she spoke in her fluent tongue of sarcasm.
Zuko turned to Mai and laughed nervously,
“Our little family.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Have we decided on our next stop yet?”
The group had finished their meal and were waiting around for the bill. It would have been a quick affair, expect that Sokka wanted seconds…and thirds…and fourths.
“Mock meat is a lie! And less filling too!”
Ignoring Sokka’s declaration of independence towards all things green and leafy, Katara posed her question again. Toph answered,
“Anywhere I can fight some real earthbenders!”
“What about me?” Aang pouted. Toph stuck out her tongue, “You? I said some REAL earthbenders.”
“How about…oh no wait…that place burned down…” Suki began running a list of known tourist spots in her mind.
“Northern Air Temple?”
“No way Twinkles! I remember that you said about that place. Everyone loves to fly there. You are not stranding me up there.”
“Once again. Awwww….”
“Sokka chew your food before you tease.”
Mai spoke out for the first time, “There is a town known for its healing waters and hot springs.”
“How’d you know that?”
Mai turned to Zuko with a smile, “It was one of the places our nation hit. We’ve helped rebuild the place.”
“Sounds good.” Suki agreed, nodding to Katara, “Sounds good to you?” The waterbender thought about it, “Healing waters huh? Maybe it’s the same as the Spirit Oasis. This I have to check out. I’m in.”
“Sokka?”
“Can’t talk. Eating.”
“We’ll take that as a yes. Aang? Toph?”
“Sure. Whatever.”
“Sounds like fun.”
------------------------------------------------------------------
“Zuko? A word?”
Katara caught Mai taking Zuko aside as they walked out of the eating house. Turning back to the rest she hurried them off,
“Come on. Move it. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”
Toph turned her heel, picking up the pulses of the Prince and the Baroness, “Odd.” Aang looked at her, concerned at her puzzled expression,
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Let’s just do what Sugar Queen says and go.”
“Are you alright? You never do what Katara says.”
“I’m fine Twinkles. Now move it. I don’t want you crying on me.”
“Crying?” Aang cast his friends a puzzled look, Suki looked away whistling. Then it dawned on him,
“You told her?!”
Katara gave the couple one last look,
“Good luck Mai.”
------------------------------------------------------------
They had walked for at least twenty minutes in silence before reaching the center city square. “Only thing missing is a fountain,” mused Zuko, noticing the similarities to Ba Sing Se’s famous Firelight Fountain. As such it was just an empty square.
“It was…nice.”
“Hmmm?”
Mai repeated herself, “I said: Dinner was nice.”
Zuko chuckled, “Oh believe me. That was tame. No one had to get healed, which was miracle.”
“You’ve changed.”
“That’s what I told the Meat-Head. People change and…Oh…” Zuko trailed off. Mai looked to the side, mulling over her next words,
“I know you used the dinner as an excuse to talk. Now we’re alone. So let’s talk.”
“We...we never used to do much of that did we?” Zuko still stared off into the distance.
“I vaguely remember a lot of kissing. A burning house too.” The prince laughed a little at his former girlfriend’s amused tone.
“The little Mongoose-Weasel’s got a new one now. He’s trying to court Azula.”
“You finally get to be the Protective Big Brother.”
“Azula’s still got some of her fangs in her. She’ll be fine.”
“We’re getting off topic.”
“That we are.”
“You’re not the Zuko I fell in love with.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re a much better person now.”
“I’m sorry?” Zuko blinked, “Come again?”
Mai sighed, eyes still closed, “Zuko…why did you stay with me all those years ago?”
“I…”
Mai knew he’d stammer, she held up a hand to stop him, “No lies. I may not be the Blind Bandit, but I read people.”
“I don’t know.”
“Duty.”
“What?”
“Did you stay with me because it was expected of you?” Mai continued when Zuko kept silent, “Did you stay with me because that’s what Crown Prince Zuko, Son of Ozai, was expected to do?”
“Ozai has no son.” He hissed turning away from her. Mai caught his hand,
“I’m sorry. But please answer the question.”
Zuko settled his thoughts, which were in turmoil,
“Yes.”
“I guessed as much.” She let his hand drop. “I’m sorry Mai.”
“I know. So am I.”
“I never meant…”
“Please. Stop. We’re both at fault here. We both saw what we wanted to see or thought we wanted.”
Zuko stood in front of the raven haired young woman, “Mai…” He held her hands gently in his own. Mai continued, voice cracking slightly,
“I wanted the shy little boy from my childhood. I thought he’d never change.”
“And I wanted to be accepted. To be part of the ‘family’. To be ‘normal’ again.”
Mai’s eyes glistened as tears welled up, “What happened to that shy little boy Zuko?”
“A lot.”
The young woman choked a small laugh, “I know.” She wiped her tears with the hem of her sleeve, “Oh Agni I know and I did nothing.”
Zuko held her close, his own eyes tearing up at the sad memories of their youth,
“None of us did anything. That’s the old life Mai. We’ve got to look to the new.”
“And I’m part of your old life.” She stated. Zuko nodded against her hair, “Yes. But you can be part of my new life. Things’ll just be…”
“Different?”
“I was going to say…not quite the same…but different works.”
They both laughed at that.
“Oh Agni, when have we ever laughed like that?”
Zuko shook his head, “Never. That’s the old life Mai.”
“Time for the new.” Mai pulled away, with a faint smile, “Zuko?”
“Hmmm?”
“Before we start our journey into the new frontier, let me remember the old country.”
Before the prince could say anything, he felt her lips on his. He remembered those lips but he didn’t experience the emotions fueling them now. He remembered the distance, the cold, the lack of connection from kisses before.
This kiss was new.
This kiss was raw.
This kiss was empowered.
This kiss was Mai.
Not the emotionally masked young girl bound by duty and laws.
This was her.
Breathless, Mai pulled away very reluctantly, touching her lips,
“And that’s what you gave up.”
“Mai…”
“We’ve both had our chances Zuko.”
Then she slapped him. She smiled warmly as his eyes blazed briefly,
“That’s for breaking up with me through a letter. You do not do that to a girl.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------
“Azula, could you pass the sweet sauce please?”
“Of course Uncle.”
“Thank you dear niece.”
“Now Azula, how are things going with that boy you’re interested in?”
“Mother!”
“I’m just asking.”
“I don’t even like the little Badger-Toad. He just won’t leave me alone. Sometimes I just wanna….”
“Careful dear niece. Those are dark thoughts. There lies madness.”
“Maybe a little madness wouldn’t be that bad….and why ask me? Zuko’s the elder one he should be the one getting grilled about his love life and grandchildren and all that.”
“I wish it weren’t true Azula. But I have this feeling your brother might never find a wife.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Hey Katara. What’re you doing up?”
“Hmm? Nothing.” She smiled at Aang as he made his way past her room, “Couldn’t sleep, that’s all.”
“Okay.”
Katara shook her head at Aang’s ever present boy-ishness. She doubted he’d change much even if he reached a ripe old age. Deciding to have a little fun, she stuck it to him,
“If you’re looking for Toph, she’s taking a bath right now. So don’t you go peeking!”
Aang’s face went beet red, “Nonononono! I would never!”
Laughing Katara slapped his shoulder, “Oh Aang. You’re so easy to tease.” Aang rubbed his shoulder, since when had Katara get a strong as Toph?
“Relax, she took a bath this morning. I doubt we’d get her to clean up for another week. How can you stand it?”
“Stand what?”
“When you two….”
“WE DID NOTHING!”
A small hand tugged on his ear, getting a yelp out of him, the new comer stared blankly ahead of her, “Stop teasing him Sugar Queen and I do so take baths...when I feel like it.”
“Right right.”
“You darn right it is.”
“Toph?” Whimpered the Avatar, trying to get his earthbending master to let go of his ear, “Please?”
“No.”
“Whhhy?” He whined, still trying to pry her fingers off.
“Because.” Was her less than stellar reason, “Night Sugar Queen.” “Night…ow…Katara.”
“Night you two.” She sighed wistfully at the retreating pair, “How sweet.” Then her maternal instincts kicked in,
“I’m coming in there in five minutes! Aang better not be anywhere near the bed!”
“OKAY! MOM!”
Her scowl turned back into smile,
“Kids.”
---------------------------------------------------------------
“I’m proud of you Sokka.”
“You are?”
Suki smiled, patting his cheek, “You didn’t start a food fight or do anything excessively stupid.”
“Hey!”
Suki tossed her now long hair over her shoulder, “Soooo what did you and Zuko do today while us girls were having our tea parties and playing dress-up?”
Sokka placed his hands behind his back, concealing the small wooden box,
“Oh you know….this and that. Man stuff.”
“Like what? Man strong? Man bring meat? Man make fire to cook meat? tick on fire to put out?”
“It actually takes a lot of tick…”
“Oh Spirits! That’s just…wrong!” Suki flopped onto her bed. Looking down at her with her eyes half lidded and serene, Sokka decided that the ring could wait.
After all, they were already engaged.
He smiled as a new way to use the ring came to mind. Padding softly, he brushed her hair from her face, kissing her forehead,
“Night. I love you.”
“Love you too Meat -Head.” ------------------------------------------------------------------
“Sheesh. It’s not like we’re going to make her a God-Mother or anything.”
Toph had let go of Aang’s ear the moment they rounded the corner, opting to hold his hand instead. Much to Aang’s relief.
Arriving at her door, she turned to face him, looking expectantly despite being blind,
“Twinkles?”
“Yeah?”
“Princess Iron Fan….geez that’s becoming a mouthful to say….I mean Suki told me a story today.”
Getting her drift Aang sighed, “What did she tell you?”
“About the time you saved me from the Spirit World. What happened?”
“Something you’re better off not knowing.”
“I have a right to know!”
He looked into her frosty eyes, wishing she could see the pained expression on his face, wishing she would just drop the matter,
“Toph…”
“No. Don’t.” She brushed his hands away, “Don’t even think about lying to me.”
“Okay. Have I ever told you about the Siege of the North?”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Look what the Sparrow-Cat dragged in.”
Katara’s smirk, soon turned into one of mild concern,
“Zuko…what happened? Did you get punched?”
Realization dawned on her,
“Oh Zuko…what did you say to Mai?”
Zuko sat himself down on the courtyard steps, burying his face in his hands. Katara prodded him verbally,
“Zuko?”
“Go away.” His voice muffled by his hands.
“And have I ever listened to you?”
Zuko let his eyes peek over his fingertips, still look straight ahead,
“No. But it’s not going to stop me from telling you again. Go away.”
“Am I going to have to water whip it out of you? Or should I go make some stewed sea prunes?”
Despite his crummy situation, Zuko couldn’t help but laugh,
“Ahah! You admit that Sea Prunes are poisonous!”
--------------------------------------------------------------------
“He had his claws on your soul, Toph! His claws!”
Aang paced around her room, gesticulating wildly all of which Toph found highly amusing…except for the part where she got spiritually kidnapped by a giant freakish centipede.
That part she could have done without.
“I can’t believe I became a damsel in distress.” She sat on her bed and pouted, “There goes my reputation.”
Aang sighed, “It’s the Spirit World and you couldn’t do anything to stop him. You weren’t even aware of it.”
“But you did.”
“Yes…”
“And that’s all that matters. I don’t know about you,” She walked over and hugged him tight, “But I’m glad I’m not centipede chow. Thanks Twinkles.”
“But he might come back…”
“And you’ll stop him again.”
It was just the way she said it. It was a matter of fact. Not a plea, not a question. She had every confidence in him.
And he wasn’t going to disappoint her.
Ever.
Toph hugged him tighter when she felt his arms wrap around her waist pulling the both of them into a snug fit,
“I’ll never let him take you again.”
Toph smiled against his chest,
“Good. Because if you fail, I’m going to bust out of there and kick your butt all over the Spirit World.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------
“Zuko, you idiot.”
“Hey! We agreed! No judging! I shouldn’t have told you any of this!”
Katara rubbed the bridge of her nose, “Yes. Yes, you needed to. You need to vent Zuko. You like to carry around your negative emotions like a trophy case. And those trophies you don’t need. And fine, I’m sorry for judging.”
“Thank you.”
“Feel better now?”
“Not really.”
“You’re hopeless.”
“Maybe. But you know what scares me more?”
“What?”
“I think I’m starting to like Sea Prunes.”
“Well, it’s a start somewhere.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
“Are we all packed?”
“Yep! Next stop….err…what’s the town called again?”
Katara let out a suppressed grunt of anger,
“Oh for the love off….” Her words trailed off as she spotted Zuko saying his goodbyes to Mai. She couldn’t help but smile as the Prince took Mai into a quick hug before racing to get onto Appa.
The waterbender turned to the prince as he leapt on board,
“You two cool?”
“We cool.”
Sokka rolled his eyes,
“Oh great. Nothing sadder than a Fire Nationer trying to speak Water Tribe slang.
“Aang? How high can Appa go? I want to see if Sokka can fly.” Zuko smiled to Katara,
“Thanks Water Wench.”
She snorted back in jest,
“Anytime Jerkbender.”
Aang called out from the top of Appa’s head. Toph was right behind him at the front of Appa’s saddle,
“Hey guys! Where exactly are we going?”
“Head south. There should be a large town. Should be the only town we’d find.” Said Sokka scanning the updated map Mai had given them,
“Mai said the place is also a Ostrich-Horse prairie. So I guess we follow the smell.”
“Okey doke!”
Alarm bells went off in Zuko’s head,
“Ostrich-Horses?”
------------------------------------------------------
End.
And thus ends part 4, their brief stay in Omashu and Mai’s guest spot.
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Post by taiyo *on limited hiatus* on Apr 6, 2008 16:46:26 GMT -5
kaibasgirl:You're welcome about the karma. ^_^ I need to see if I have those fanarts faved or not. I know I have RiaKitsuneYoukai's (she's a real Taanger and a sweetie <3) art faved but the rest I gotta make sure. I got a FF.Net PM from Mike (he was browsing here ) and he wanted me to tell you he returns August. Four months. T_T Dang, Proboards. T_T Now for Marvel, I pulled Kaibasgirl's style of reviewing/commenting. XD ROFL. I don't blame Zuko! He would've been next if he tried to get him up! XD So would I, Zuzu. So would I. ROFLMBO. That reminds me of Mai's lightning comment in SotFN somewhat! XDD Wow, he definitely has been hanging around Toph just a tad bit too long. <3333 LOL. That sounds like something Mai would say! LOL. That line totally added some light to a serious part of the story. XD And him being a big brother, very realistic. <33 ROFLMBO. My Sukka side's laughing while my Sokkla side's going (jokingly), "Hey!" ROFLMBO. That was pure gold! XDD LOL. Gotta love these two. XDD *sniffles* Hehe, looks like Toph has the power to influence. Awww. X3 Ah.....he's starting to like sea prunes. X3 Ohhhhhh, sting! *sniffs* I smell foreshadowing In short; another great, entertaining piece, Marvel. <333
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kaibasgirl
Ba Sing Se Azula
The Sokkla Addict
Replace ships with fruit and that's exactly what you get.
Posts: 2,772
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Post by kaibasgirl on Apr 7, 2008 0:06:17 GMT -5
marvel, that was fantastic! I especially loved Zuko's "No -censored- way" response! XXXDDDD! and it looks like we're headed towards an encounter with Song, oooh, better be gentle marvel, next to Maiko, Soko is another one of my fave Zuko ships (speaking of which, I am impressed very impressed with how you handled the break up, though I do disagree heavily with Zuko not having any feelings for Mai when they were together.) A-August?! o___o why must we wait so loong?! >__< But at least he still comes on here and browses around ^^ -gives Mike a hug- we seriously miss you here, this place is soo not the same without you!!! Hey, I've got an idea, why don't you just sign up and not tell anyone that it's really you? That way, the mods can't delete your account, cause they won't know you're not 13 yet! ^^ I have a style? w00t!!!
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