Book 1 Chapter 7: The Sandstorm of Forgiveness

Characters: Ryan Gaia (Orion), Suta-Shutaru, and Jijia-su Gaia

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-The Exit-

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We traveled slowly towards the exit of the valley and when we reached the gates Suta was back on her feet and it was becoming dark again as our 5 day journey across that dangerous valley was at its end. I was still a little exhausted from my battle with the Dhai Li 2 days earlier but was able to manage. Suta was sleeping and me and grandfather were sitting around the fire watching the stars float across the sky. "I'm really sorry Orion what happened to you, I heard while I was in prison in the Northern Water Tribe. I couldn't help and it feels partially my fault that I couldn't stop your BROTHER from killing your family and your master." The world seemed to be crashing down, my brother? But he is as dead as my parents, it was my original Zetsumei Jutsu master was the one to commit this manslaughter. "No your wrong it was my former Zetsumei Jutsu instructor who killed my family, not my brother, NO!" There was silence. The wind was picking up outside and although the sun existed no more the sand and surface of the desert outside the valley walls were clearly visible. "It's true my grandson, believe me. I know the leader of the Black Rose Society and he is not your master Kamome but simply a thief of names who's original name was none other than Sousasu Gaia." For the past two days my grandfather had been completely open, whimsical, and showed me how to control my bending to an even farther degree through music, but he was now serious, and I hit the ground to see the vibration of his emotions. He wasn't lying. "So it was really Kamome who protected me not my brother?" I questioned, "Yes. He got wind of what your brother really was, showed your parents, and they threw him out of the White Lotus Organization. Two days later the tragedy happened and Kamome felt Sousasu's hatred coming nearer so he headed to your house to protect you and your family. He failed. These past three days have been wonderful with you my grandson, but I'm afraid that it is my time." "Grandfather no! It doesn't have to end! You could continue your journey with us, we might need you!" He got up and I followed and stepped in his way. "I will do what I must to make you stay, you're my last blood relative alive that I now do not hate. Please do not go. You can't stop me, you've seen my power old man, you know what I can do." We stood there in the firelight, the shadow of the edges of our faces flickering side to side. "Unfortunately you haven't seen my power." His hand glowed blue and before I could react he touched my chest, it was like he was filling the veins in my arms with pure energy. (theatrical music) "You must continue your journey with her young Orion." I fell to the ground and saw him walking towards the sandstorm. He was in the midst of the scorching hot sand swirling all around him and he looked back with a tear trickling down his left cheek. He held his hand up as if saying goodbye for only a short period of time and then it happened. Cracks appeared all around his face, clothing hair, everything and he burst into nothingness. "NOOOOOOOOO!!" I cried out and Suta ran out of her tent to see me on my knees crying. I had lost my last loved family member. First mom and dad, then Master Kamome, and now grandfather Jijia-su. My brother was going to pay. He was going to die. I failed them once before because I was scared that he was more skilled than me. But now, no fear, I would not fail again. I would train and train and train until I dropped every waking moment that I had. I thought this all to myself as I set there still sobbing and Suta held me closer than ever sobbing with me. The next morning I made him an unofficial grave and wept over my mighty grandfather for the last time.

Book 1 Chapter 6: The Valley

Characters: Ryan Gaia (Orion) and Suta-Shutaru

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-Departing the Hospital-

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After my scary appearance at the hospital, the staff finally got used to me and when it was time to leave they gave me a beautiful black and light gray shroud with pieces of diamonds, Earth, and other kinds crystals embedded all in it. "Thank you for your hospitality and kindness while we were here." spoke Suta and then a staff member finally replied "Thank you for cooperating after the month marker" and we all laughed as Suta and I slowly walked away. "Was it me or were those nurses and doctors a little weird?" I asked, "It was definitely the nurses" she replied and we strode towards the valley before the desert.

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-The Valley-

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We walked into the narrow opening that was the valley and it slowly but steadily widened. We walked for days toward the gate that was clear on the other side and far end. When we got about halfway we started to notice men wearing green and black robes with field hats that matched covering their faces. Dhai Li agents. The spoke in unison when we were 250 feet from them "Orion and Suta by decree of the Black Rose Society your life ends here today!" and they launched an incredible amount of spikes at us. I used and created a wall so huge I have never even came close to half the height before I went to the hospital. I used my left hand and went on the attack, but my attack was normal, then I thought "No it can't be!" and lifted my right hand for an attack. It sent out a massive shockwave bringing the valley walls closed and and instantly killed every Dhai Li agent. We both looked at my still bandaged hand and I said aloud "Oh s*** I tried with my right hand alone and move the valley walls to their original positions. I was stronger than I had ever been it could be possible that all that resting and sleeping I did affected me in someway. I was not worried about that though as I looked closer at Suta for the first time since the battle had ceased I noticed that she had a spike running through her leg.

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-The House Call Doctor-

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I didn't know what to do. My loyal companion all this time was sitting there bleeding and didn't say a word during battle. I was slowly crying down my cheek as she rested sideways in a tent I pitched for her out of rock. "Your wife looks as though she needs some help there sunny!" and an old man approached me. "She's not my wife she's just my friend" for now at least I thought to myself. "Well your friend who's a girl need's help and I think I can help her." "You can?" as I let out to much enthusiasm out of my voice. He simply smiled at me "Yes I can, in fact I think it'll be wise for you to remove that spike in her thigh." I sighed I knew this guy was a phony. "Then I'll bend the water from this bucket to heal her." My eyes lighted up. I removed the spike from her leg and even though it wasn't wide it was still in there pretty good. "I don't think she'll have any problems with her movements after about 14 hours of healing from me." "Thank You so much kind sir." I replied. I suddenly heard a loud stomping outside and the old man spoke "Hurry those Dhai Li agents are probably looking for their friends, I saw them split up into two groups, hold them off, Orion!" I questioned how the old man knew my name because we didn't exchange names upon greeting each other but I forgot about it and went outside. They must've thought we'd be traveling down the right side because there had to be about 15 more than there were before. This might be challenging I thought remembering my new found power. We fought for 3 hours on end 27 Dhai Li agents against me, the ultimate Earthbender, it was dead even. I killed two of them accidently about around hour two because of a forgotten trap and I thought silently to myself "Noobs." I got back to where the doctor was still doing his thing and sealed them inside, it was time. I swirled a sphere around me and created the spikes. The spikes were three times bigger than before and the sphere spinning faster than ever. The Dhai Li agents knew they were dead and the just sat down and prayed. I released the ultimate onslaught of spikes towards them and within second they were all dead with a arrow made of rock through each one of their forehead. I loosened up the sphere and fell to the ground, although this semi-healed arm gave me power it was a burden and it drained me nearly completely of all my energy to use my 360 Degree Earth Sphere Spike Launcher, but they were all dead so no worries, and I staggered back into camp, I had been fighting the Dhai Li for only five hours and the old man must've been putting some overtime in as well because Suta was already completely healed with nothing but a scar on her thigh. "Thank you but one question, how do you know my name?" I asked. "Because your name is my name Orion. I am your grandfather Jijia-su Gaia."

Book 1 Chapter 5: Hospital Days

Characters: Ryan Gaia (Orion) and Suta-Shutaru

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-Hospital Wing on the Island of God Knows Where-

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I slowly opened my eyes and it seemed to take several minutes to get them into focus. Suta-Shutaru was sitting there waiting for me asleep. I wasn't going to wake her even though I knew she would prefer it if I did. I tried moving but I could barely twinge. Then everything that happened came back to me. I looked at my right side and I didn't have a shirt on and my wounds were covered and wrapped tightly. My eyes came into full focus. I heard my heart monitor. It was the saddest, slowest, and most pathetic beat I had ever heard anyone in a hospital produce. I suppose I was barely stable. I pressed the button to call the nurse in. "Welcome back Ryan" she whispered to me. "It's Orion" I replied and she giggled a little bit and then said "What can I help you with?" I stood there I knew what I want but it was impolite to ask a nurse to bring me it but I said it anyway "Bourbon, and a glass please." She stood there looking astounded and a familiar voice echoed out "It's ok nurse, I'm his guardian who brought him here, he can have bourbon." "Suta? Is that you? Thank God your ok, I was beginning to think you'd been hurt as well." I heard my heart monitor beep a little faster and I had suddenly the power to sit up. The nurse looked strangely at me then walked up I looked over and noticed that Suta-Shutaru was blushing incredibly. "Hey there gorgeous. What have I told you about playing with dark, powerful, eternal fire?" she said and I gave a slight laugh all though I coughed a little more than laughed. "You gave me quite a scare. You passed out about two weeks ago and then-" "HOW LONG WAS I OUT? You want to run that by me again?" "Really it was more like 3 weeks ago but your back now and that's what is important. Thank you for saving our lives. He hit the ground right above us as we left Orion. If you hadn't reacted in time we both would be dead right now." The nurse reentered the room with a bottle and a glass. I poured the glass for 6 seconds but then I became weak. The nurse tried pouring the drink into my mouth and most of it got in, but I could feel the cold sticky bourbon sliding down in streams from my cheek to my pillow. I took the glass from her hand, she wasn't pouring fast enough, chugged the rest and threw the glass against the wall. I didn't see it because my eyes were going out of focus again but when the glass hit the wall I felt them exchange looks of worry. I grabbed the whole bottle from the and drank as much as possible not caring where I spilled it and dropped the bottle on the ground. It didn't break, but it was leaking. I fell back to sleep again and that was that. I had plenty of energy after drinking more than half a bottle of bourbon and after everyone in the hospital was asleep I got up. Or at least attempted to get up it took me three sit ups to finally get my legs over the edge of the bed and my body sitting straight up. I stood up unbalanced for sometime walked toward my door grabbed a hospital cloak and the cane that was laid out for me and slowly made my way into the garden. The hospital was made out of metal, which has rock in it, but to feel better I needed to be around real 100% natural Earth. I breathed in and out in and out once more. The ground began to quake then a soft hand touched my shoulder, "Out for a moonlit stroll Orion?" It was Suta-Shutaru. "Yeah I needed to feel some real Earth on my feet, hands, and breath again." I had to say it. It was inevitable. "Listen Suta-Shutaru, after being severely burned by an old guy and you almost dieing I want you to return to Kyoshi. Your not safe with me and some things I need to do alone." She sighed "Famous last words for all great warriors before their downfall, Orion. I'll be surprised if you don't know what I'll respond to, no? When I signed up for this journey I expected my life to be danger. Hunting criminals is no breeze in the summer. I am not leaving your side!" She was very stern so I didn't argue and was kind of glad because I didn't want her to leave my side. "Now let's get you back in side you are in desperate need of rest." Her warm hand guided me back to the room where I obediently went back to bed. I suddenly envisioned my parents and my brother and they turned their backs on me. With a loud yell that woke up the entire hospital I screamed out "I CAN'T SAVE YOU!!!! I CAN'T KILL HIM, HE'S TO STRONG." I couldn't help but let out the sorrow, disappointment, and strain in my voice.

Book 1 Chapter 4: The Middle of Somewhere

Characters: Ryan Gaia and Suta-Shutaru

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-The Next Morning-

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I didn't go to sleep that night. I had so many questions for the Avatar, I was leaving my Master Sokka, running off to god knows where to find a murderer. I had a lot on my mind if you could imagine. The sun shown brightly through the windows and I put on my pants then my shirt and stretched. I rounded my already packed side bag over my shoulder and headed out towards the main hall. Halfway there Shutaru joined me. "Morning." she quietly yawned, obviously she was not a morning person. She no longer had the face paint on but normal clothes which didn't bother me, but looked weird I guess. "My father has been preventing me from having any boyfriends from the time I was 14. Yet he lets me run off with you without thinking twice. You must be really trustworthy." "Yeah your father is a very strange man, I spent nearly four weeks alone with him and I kno-" "No you weren't alone, we were watching you and him the entire time to make sure you weren't going to attempt anything." "Gee thanks." We approached the gates where Master Sokka awaited. He and Sukki were about to burst into tears and gave both of us big hugs, love, and their wishes. "You want to head northwest until you get to the desert. Make sure you get nice and lost, it'll be the only way to draw out your next master, he will teach you to control your earthbending and make its reflexes as quick as Zuko's lightning." Although I questioned what he said I remember everything he has taught me: how to read maps, fighting styles to enhance my earthbending, patience, and how to think like a warrior. We walked onwards to fulfill my families closure.

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-Traveling-

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"There is somewhere we must go before we decide to get lost. I was in a pub last night surfing the locals for some info and apparently the Black Rose society struck a temple somewhere on the out skirts of the Fire Nations main land. I'm pretty sure they didn't take on that fortress without a couple of them dieing or at least being injured. We should check and then from there move out into the desert" Suta-Shutaru nodded with agreement and I must admit I love the fact that during this entire journey she has only complained once about our destination and it involved going through a fiery, gassy, volcano turf that I immediately agreed upon. I think that she really understands how much capturing Kamome was to me. Farther and farther we traveled. We didn't talk much unless we were setting up camp and getting ready for our lookout shifts at which point we could barely stop talking. On the third day of our departure from Kyoshi we came upon the fortress that had been a battle ground upon three days prior.

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-The Black Rose Society-

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Dead people with pikes running through them everywhere. A giant rose made out of a black eternal fire blazed upon the side of the castle. Truly horrific. "Well, well, what do we have here boys?" we turned around with haste and noticed three men with vines tattooed all up their arms to their foreheads with a heavy black and maroon rose on the forehead. "They're from the BR society" I whispered. "Obviously what do we do?" In order for someone to be a black rose they must be able to bend. They raised their arms and was about to push out fire but I was too quick for them. I created a sinkhole for me and Suta-Shutaru to escape in. I covered my tracks but one of them was apparently a decent Earthbender because they lifted Suta-Shutaru right out of the ground. "NO!" I screamed and jumped out of the ground bringing everything with me. I created a sphere of rocks so no flame or Earth could hit me. I coiled my fists and coiled the Earth around the Earthbender holding Suta-Shutaru and snapped his neck before he had time to react. I was different now. I could feel it. I looked down at my hands and they were twitching as were the muscles up my arm. I slid my right foot to the right creating a wall in front of me as the firebender struck. His fireball was completely pathetic. I created two cone like spears out of the wall and launched them at the two guys as Suta-Shutaru returned behind the wall with me. Straight through their faces. The pikes had blood trickling down them and Suta-Shutaru clutched my chest and cried. "They were going to kill both of us Suta. I will not let anything happen to either of us until I get the chance to face Kamome."

"Here's your chance then." I spun around and their stood what looked to be like a very powerful leader in the black rose committee. "Do you know Kamome?" I said. "Know him? I am him! Ahhhahahahaahah. Foolish boy comeback to end the Gaia family line?" he cackled "You don't stand a chance against me, I am the original, legendary, creator of the Black Rose Society! No mere weak, young, untrained Earthbender with a vengeance is going to hurt me!" he yelled. "I will kill you! Aaaaaaaah!!!!" And with a my muster that I had I gathered the sphere once more. This time he was going to die. The spikes were formed now for the aiming. Then the sphere broke and I was launched many feet back. My last glimpse of life? My last thought? "Orion!!!!" No Suta-Shutaru I won't let you down. I created a sphere once more and burrowed into the Earth. We ended up on some island thousand of miles away from where we were. The town's hospital brought me in and begin treating me. My vision was blurry and I could barely move. They couldn't sedate me because of the nervous system they were cutting at. I looked down and my right arm and right side of my chest was covered with a dieing out black fire. Like the fire on the castle wall. I gasped for air and in doing so coughed up my own blood. I think I am going to die.

Book 1 Chapter 3: Glistening Eyes of Beauty

Character: Ryan Gaia (Orion)

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-Sparring Square- 3 weeks later

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"Yaaah!!!! Aaaaah!!!!!!!" The clings and echoes of our cries caused birds to temporarily leave their nest and fly into the sky. "You have come a long way from your skills as a warrior. You still have only two flaws. One you can't keep your focus separate from your wants. Two you still haven't mastered your individual ultimate technique. You can get you sphere up to speed but you have no aim. Separate your focus from your wants and you'll find the dead on accuracy that you need." He sounded wise but I learned from my training with him that he was a little carefree and yet somehow stern. For three straight weeks I had camped out on that sparring square with Sokka learning all I could. A day passed. Two days passed. Four days passed and training went on. On the last day of week three of my training, Sokka approached me and said "There is a festival at the shrine and I have-" "I thought it was a palace..." I sneered out an interruption, yet he continued calmly "Whatever you call it there is a festival there and I have invited you. We'll make our way there now so you can get cleaned up and get ready for the ceremonies tonight. Sound good?" "Sure, what is this festival for?" "We are going to celebrate the day the Phoenix King fell at the hands of my good friend Aang. You should know him." "I've heard about him but never met him or studied him or anything....." "Your very strange for who you are." We stood there in silence because he knows I hated people telling me who I am. I am who I choose to be. I broke the silence with a sharp remark "May we leave now, I need a long shower, to relax my muscles" "and get rid of the stank" he lively jolted back. We both laughed.

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-Kyoshi Temple/Shrine/Palace/Place Where They Practice Kung Fu-

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I soaked in the water of a tub that was to small for me so my legs were scrunched up. After nearly 4 weeks of non-stop training my body was sore and smelled like a dieing animal. I got very ugly faces when Master Sokka and I walked in the palace. I finally got out and put a robe on and then proceeded to get dressed. I raised my hand and rose the Earth out of the ground forcing 4 girls wearing the Kyoshi make up in my closet peering at me while I soaked. I squinted at them and they squinted at me for a while. "Are you going to leave? I have to get dressed." I said coldly. "Sorry we don't get to see men in this place often, in fact Sokka and now you are the only two males in history to be trained in the Kyoshi manner. I looked at the girl whose was second from the left. She had rare eyes. Eyes that were grey, blue, green, and a fiery outerlaying. "Greystone. You, you have greystone eyes. They are the most beautiful eyes that I have ever seen." Even with all the make-up on I could see her blush. "Would you care to be my date at the festival tonight?" I asked impulsively. "I'm sorry but I already have a date. Maybe we could hang out at the main party though?" she looked at me back in my eyes and she stuttered "You have......too?" "Yes." I said as I returned back to my cold and unyielding personality. "Have a nice day and I bended the door open for them to leave. They basically had to drag girl second to the left and I felt that feeling of hesitation and curiosity through her feet.

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-The Main Outside Lobby-

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I walked up to Master Sokka bowing and taking a seat off to the side with the crowd as the fireworks went off. An announcer lady screamed out of nowhere "And presenting head of the Kysohi forces, only daughter of Legendary Sukki and Master Sokka, Suta-Shutaru!!!!" I clapped as she took a seat by my current Master and began a conversation with her father. "Finally it is with my great honor to present the current Avatar: Avatar Aang and his beautiful wife Katara!!!!!!! I stare everywhere and the crowd is going insane. I smile and he looks straight at me in the eyes and I look back at him. They took a seat next to Sokka. Music started to play and music was served, different little festivities were happening at different corners of the palace. As I walked around getting my way back at Sokka's side requesting permission to train I am aggravated by the fact that half the people here are people I asked for directions. I finally make it up to the booth and they are laughing about something clumsy that Sokka had done and heard Sokka say "Zuko couldn't make it tonight because he is with his son celebrating in the fire nation, but he will stop by tomorrow to be picking up a certain item that he requested from the shop. So how are you and my little sister doing?" As soon as I heard that last comment I nearly fell to the floor, Master Sokka, clumsy, lazy, yet skilled and witty was brother in-law to the Avatar???? Man. That's a big surprise. As I approached, Suta-Shutaru gazed into my eyes as she was getting up as well. I recognized her immediately. She was second to the left. She smiled and bowed in respect. So the daughter of my Master was one of the perverts in my bedroom? That's just creepy but in a good way. I'll ask to dance with her after I request it from Sokka. "Ahh, this is him. The one I was telling you about. He shows great promise if he'd learn to loosen up a bit." They laughed and I nodded Sokka to the side. "Do you mind if I dance with your daughter sir?" I asked casually. He squinted at me like he was about to hit me. Then he spoke "If it's ok with him then it's ok with me." I walked towards her and so was her date. He was a massive guy with his friends tagging along with their dates that I recognized as the other girls. He said "Who's this guy Shutaru?" "He's just a friend Argo." "A friend huh? What's your business here friend?" He looked at me long and hard and then I cracked back "I wanted to dance with Shutaru." Not the right thing to say. "That's it "friend" your going down. I challenge you to a duel winner gets the rest of the night with Shutaru." I realized instantly that no music was playing, everyone is staring at me and walking muscle bulge over here. "Let's make this a little more interesting. Your friends are also Earthbenders, correct Argo? All of you against Orion, if you win you get to marry Shutaru, if you lose you never speak to her again. Sound ok?" proclaimed Sokka. I immediately rushed to Sokka's side "You planned this you piece of work you......You don't like him and you knew he would challenge me to a duel....grrr." "You can do it Orion, just go a little easy on them will you?" As I walked away I heard him say to Aang "This'll prove it watch him." The crowd separated as my five opponents started chucking rocks at me. I easily dodged them not yet revealing that I am also an Earthbender. Finally I dove to the right, grabbed some ground, and chucked it at the chin of the guy on the far right. We started an amazing duel of Earthbending, however about 10 minutes into the duel they finally circled me and lifted rocks. "This is it, "friend" your dead." I turned around in what appeared to be slow motion and nodded for the ok from Sokka, he nodded back. With the utmost strain and confidence I created a sphere of rotating rocks and lifted them off of the ground. While hovering I danced on the rocks and created spikes. I didn't want to have to do this but with my pin point accuracy I got to injure them so they will give up and if that didn't work I knew what they fear. I spun faster and faster in the air, creating the Earth 15 feet below me start to swirl. Then I flexed my eyes to create a sink whole down to their waists. I was suddenly knocked on the ground by Sokka. "No, they are not worth it Orion, but focus like this is what you need, releasing the spike at accuracy would make you a master at this technique and we'll finish that tomorrow morning before you head out." "Head out, Sokka?" "Yes you are finished with everything that we can teach you here, tomorrow is your day of destiny. Sokka shouted "THE WINNER IS ORION!" Argo and his group started to complain how they were about to make a come back. "No, you would have been dead if Sokka hadn't stepped in." Surprisingly the Avatar spoke out. "Orion won this match right after you challenged him. He, like his mother, can see into your feeling and emotions. Including your fears. Orion show the audience what you were planning next." I swirled up the ground and made the Sea Urchin that lived in the bay outside and a scream of shock was let out by the crowd, not because of the beast, but because of the sheer size at which I had conjured it. Even the Avatar seemed semi impressed. I re-bended the figure back into the ground and left. I went back to my room. My mind was racing. How did the Avatar know my mother? How come she never wanted me to know? Do I not just remember? I took off the cloak on top to reveal that I was wearing a very nice dress garb. "You didn't have to do that for me you know." Whispered a voice in a dark corner. "That was very stupid and ignorant for you to do that," I looked down, one of the few girls that I felt for probably now hated me, "but very sweet. We only met today yet you would fight just for one night with me." I smiled and conversed back "I was planning longer than that but according to Master Sokka I am leaving tomorrow to continue my journey." I sat there and described what has happened to me and what I'm doing. "That's a very sad story and my heart mourns for you and your family. Are you doing this all alone?" I nodded with a yes. "I'll be glad to go with you if you'd like." "What about your duties as a Kyoshi leader?" "Right now our mission was to train you so carrying on as your master to make sure you don't lose your muster is part of the job." I gave an ignorant laugh "Hmm, sure, you're sure you just don't want to spy on me in the tub again?" Once again, not right thing to say. She retorted immediately and headed for the door, but I grabbed her hand and said "I would love to have your company on my journey." I had never met this girl, or her father, yet I felt the closest bond with her. I had dated plenty of girls in Ba Sing Se, but she was something else.