Book 4: Air
Chapter One: Sunrise
She tied the red ribbon around my neck, gently though. We were both twelve again, standing in a field of never ending green grass. I could feel the rays of bright sunshine on my pale skin, she held my hand, her fingers intertwined with my own. I gave her a light kiss o the cheek, the most innocent sign of romantic affection. At this time she proceeded to secure the ribbon around her ankle. I looked in into her milky green eyes, the most beautiful eyes, I miss those eyes. Then the brilliant smile left, and there was now a sunrise, as she turned away for me a begun to walk away, her hand left mine. She was walking towards darkness, I began to chase after her. But soon she was so far into the darkness I could no longer see her. I was forced to stop, than I realized the ribbon around my neck was getting tighter with every step she took into the darkness. I myself growing, going further into the bright sunshine, but I also felt my air cutting off. I couldn't see her, are who she had became while being consumed by darkness. I just felt her killing me, being strangled by the very love and affection she'd given me. The ribbon was now the bright pink, I could feel myself dieing from lack of oxygen and even worse, remorse. For not holding her tight enough, for not appreciating her more, for not keeping her into the light, for being selfish and focusing on myself when I should have been trying to find her, for not telling how much I loved her, for not winning her in that fight all those years ago. Meanwhile, I still wasn't breathing. . . I didn't deserve too.
Toph…I'm sorry.
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"Gaara! Gaara Breathe! Kankuro, get in here!" Panicked Temari.
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When? he wondered. Did everything became so dark?
Soon after the war had ended, and Aang defeated the Fire Lord everything was good. He inherited the throne, he'd and Mai had made up and that night he proposed and she accepted. Uncle was happy in Ba Sing Sae with his tea shop. Katara and Aang had gotten together. Suki and Sokka were down in the Southern Water Tribe together, them and the baby on the way that is. Toph had went back to her parents.
Sure there where rebels who came in gangs of ten-to-fifty, but they weren't much of a threat. And most whom did seek revenge on the Fire Nation, were fearful of the avatar. For a year peace prevailed.
Two weeks later Toph's home Gaoling was bombed, it was a chemical bomb giving disease to the citizens. Killing them every single person within the town. He never did give her that field trip. Ozais' followers were responsible for that, for killing Toph, for killing his little sister. The Earth Kingdom refused to work with him after that, saying he had done it. And no matter what Aang said he could not persuade the Kingdom to work with the Fire Lord. But they didn't cause a war, neither of them could handle One year later, Mai was killed. He still remembered the sight, a sword stabbed straight through the middle of her throat. Her eyes, where open wide with fear, his stomach still turned at the memory of her lifeless body staring at him. There was a note.
Fire Lord,
I understand you seek peace and you taught the Avatar, while that is all good and well I'm afraid it isn't good enough. I suggest you convince your uncle to move to the Fire Nation were he belongs or I wouldn't hesitate to end his existence as I've done with your wife. My goal is not to kill the avatar, just to the destroy the Fire Nation and all it stands for. I am your enemy. I am will end your people. I am your mortal enemy.
Your Worse Nightmare,
Silver Dawn
One the back of the note was a lotus, a black lotus.
He immediately ordered, his uncle to move back to the Fire Nation and help him investigate the murder of his wife. Iroh knew of the a group, the Black Lotus. The exact opposite of the White Lotus. The Alliance of the Black Lotus is an ancient secret society ( as old as the white) that transcends the boundaries of the four nations, and the hidden shinobi villages seeking power and justice for all. Made up of only females, and of course they also had a Grand Lotus, known for her great power and intelligence. They figured Silver Dawn was the Grand Lotus and of course that wasn't her real name, they all used code names. Iroh guessed believed by destroying the Fire Nation there were giving the air benders the justice and avenging them as well.
They became a big threat, killing armies of fire benders and forcing the colonies off Earth Kingdom land. Three years later, word had it they where coming to the Fire Nation.
Zuko then called for a reunion of the gaang. They were all grown up.
Katara and Aang weren't seeing each other anymore. Aang was dating Onji and trying to stop the Lotus too. Katara was the top healer of the Southern Water Tribe. Suki was killed in a battle with one of the Black Lotus'. Sokka was know a single father and taught the young warriors of the Water Tribe. Today is a certain earth benders, birthday but they're all trying to not think about her and what she could've been.
They all sat in the Fire Lords bed room silently, knowing the reunion wasn't complete with out her.
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"Everyone!" Sokka yelled, running into the Fire Lords bedroom.
"What?" Zuko asked in a bitter tone.
"I've got the best news ever! About Toph!" He smiled.
"What about?" asked the avatar, half heartedly.
"She's alive! My best friend's alive!" He screamed happily.
"Just look at this letter Toph sent it to me a week after her death, because I found out one month later. But she isn't dead!," Sokka said quickly in his excitement. " Plus we all know Toph can't write he just look at this handwriting is perfect! And she used suffixes like Sokka-kun and Suki-Chan. And we all know only those ninja, or kunochi, or whatever used those suffixes. Than I looked a little closer and noticed some sand. So I did my research, and it turns out the only ninja village in the Sand is this place called Suna. And Suna's leader is someone known as the Kazekage-sama. Who is this guy named Gaara. So my plan is we go to Suna, ask the Kazekage where Toph is and defeat the Black Lotus."
They all looked at him curiosity.
"Wow." said his water bending sister. "I'm impressed."
"What? Toph was- is my best friend I had to do months of research but I'm sure its all worth it."
I promised I would never let go , I haven't, and I never will. Thought the warrior.
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"Your not taking her." Stated Neji, stand only inches from her.
"I would never take Neji-san, I love just as much as you if not more. If she chooses to join that while be Hinata's choice, to carry on her mothers legacy."
The nerve of this girl trying to his innocent cousin to join the Black Lotus. They stood at the entrance of Konoha, it was sunset.
"Please Neji, I just simply wish to speak with her. If you trust her you would let her chose."
"You must be confident coming here coming here at sunset and not wait till night."
She smirked. "You used to like my confidence, and even viewed it as attractive, Honey Tart."
He looked down. " My feelings have changed Toph-chan, much like yourself."
"It's Silver Dawn these days."
"Hmph." He said obviously unimpressed. "Leave Silver-chan."
She gave a sigh. "Fine, today simply isn't the day to for her to join. Another time then." Just as she was a turned to walk away she turned back to her former friend.
"But before I go, I have small condition."
"Anything to make you leave sooner. Anything but Hinata." He demanded.
"Hug. That's all I want from you Neji-kun, a simple hug." She held out her arms. "I'll leave I promise." She stated with that golden smile of hers.
He rapped his arms around her only to feel a large amount of pain in his lower back, his eyes grew wide with pain.
She began to pull the knife out slowly, but than thrust it back in with more force then before. She backed away from the bleeding Hyuuga and proceeded to walk away as if nothing had happened.
One day, Hinata would join. But for now she had bigger goals in mind. Goals that included taking down the Fire Nation, avenging the Air Nomads, and getting her own revenge.