Alright, on to the next chapter! So far so good, adding in the last three characters. After this, I'll be ready to try my dedication chapters. If there is more I feel I need to do with Koto, especially in response to something in the show I feel I can use, then you will get two chapters in one week instead of my planned one a Sunday. I know, you are heart broken right? ^.~

Haru and Rei belong to Vnight, incidentally Vnight also gave us the only male of the group. Really don't think I planned this out well, at least no more firebenders! Ryly belongs to xoxsillygoose. Song belongs to Kurono-Angel and Li Na belongs to Pochee.

Part of this was written before the next episode aired it could be longer. If the mortar sets in right you won't be able to tell.

Well that won't be hard, this episode was awful. Already didn't like Asumi and the whole episode was mostly awkward.

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The trip back to the Republic Cit was a quite one. Koto was suffering from the head injury. There was no blood but her mind was foggy. She couldn't clearly focus on anything. Not even Sun, whom seemed to either no she needed someone, or had the good sense to leave his brooding mistress be. If she had all her facilities in order, she might have wondered why the boat wasn't catching on fire. Instead, her green eyes gazed out to the surroundings absently stroking the raven hawk's feathers, alternating between almost poking the poor thing's eye out, missing all together or getting the sweet spot between the wings.

Song was steamed, almost enough to cause the air to wave around her as she about combusted with fury. She never gave up, never backed down from a fight. Ever. Here these Chi blockers come out of nowhere and ambush them. The scene was playing in her mind, over and over. She and Li Na were talking casually, comparing firebending training and showing little tricks. Li Na's flame almost lopped over but with a little coaching from Song it was up righted. Li Na has a lot of heat, just not as much focus. Then it happened.

The chi blockers descended, incapacitating Koto before they were able to register they were under attack. Song had just enough time to start a blazing fist when every chi point in her body was violently blocked. There wasn't even a chance to fight back and the last image she had before blacking out where those yellow eyes crouching over a defenseless Koto. It was to the point she didn't know what made her madder, that she was taken out without a fight, or that the one nonbender of their team was taken out in front of her eyes and she failed to do anything. The distinction between failing due to avoidable or unavoidable circumstances didn't exist. Koto trusted her and she let her down, she let herself down and the group as a whole.

It was a lot to shoulder, but she wasn't shouldering it alone. Li Na also steamed the air around her, her blood boiling. The same instant Koto was hit, she was also incapacitated. Unlike Song, she didn't even have the second to create a flame again. To not even get a shot, to not even have the moment to fight back was eating her alive. The anger was consuming, and forced her to clench her teeth just to keep from yelling. These were her new friends and she hadn't been able to help them. All she could do was watch as the bravest nonbender she knew was taken out so harshly and view the battle being won without so much as being able to burn a boot. How could her body give out without her will's consent?

Amon was never their focus, yet. Frankly, besides helping Koto become a bender, Li Na didn't know what their focus was. Her desire to help Koto was what kept her with the two, and a bit of loneliness. Whatever kept Song must have been more than her reasoning. What then, when Koto becomes a bender? At least, unlike Song, Li Na was able to turn her thoughts elsewhere. While troubling, it gave her peace from the brooding.

They made land, each unsteady on the boat but Koto was downright drunk in her movements. She was so unsteady, her head hurting so much that she would have fallen overboard into water she couldn't possibly hope to swim in if it hadn't been for Song. This was an act without thinking. Neither companion had time to think each just noticing the near disaster before Song jumped into action. Throwing her arm out she grasped Koto firmly by the upper arm. There was a chance it might bruise. It wouldn't be the first she had given Koto, nor worse than the alternative. The act was able to stabilize the wounded girl, but it was only a matter of time before both went for swim as they were.

While she didn't act as fast as Song, Li Na did have the chance to think about this for a few seconds. Jumping out of the boat, she turned swiftly to assist. A second she was down, hip slamming into the stone of the peir as the water make the surface unbearably slippery. Not one to allow a setback, Li Na got right back up and put a hand out to grasp the unsteady Koto's other arm. Her blue eyes met Song's green and for a moment, everything was relayed instantly and without a word needing to be said. Song let go of Koto's arm and Li Na pulled. Between the three, though Koto was almost more of a hindrance then a help, they were able to all get out of the boat.

Li Na was hurt, her hip bruised and minor scrapes on her legs that stung more then they hurt. When Koto recovered, she'd want to treat them. The thought brought a small cornucopia of thoughts and emotions. Worry and sadness were first, worry that Koto would not recover and sadness that she would be lost to damage they couldn't truly see. Then there was a longing, she almost wished she could hear the other girl worried so for her, unfamiliar to rely on someone. It wasn't quite relying, that was too much trust, too strong of a word. There was something else, acceptance maybe, acclamation perhaps. What it was didn't matter at this time. All she had to do was assist Song in getting Koto home. Roku would have to wait. Not that he was going anywhere, mind.

Part of the walk was uneventful, no one saying anything. Song and Li Na were in their own worlds and Koto was trapped in the world of goatsheep fuzz.

From the front a blast of wind blew right though the trio. Each of the ladies had their hair thrown back and the bottom's of Song's pants went wiping around in the breeze. This wasn't just normal wind, or the wind tunnel like effect groups of tall buildings can create. It was a measured action. Both firebenders were primed, already itching for a fight as it was and now they had Koto to protect. She was a liability right now, a burden that neither would just toss to the side.

Behind them a man but out from side street. He had short white hair, blown back like theirs were. It was wet, how he managed that so far from the water was a small wonder no one had time to think about. For as he turned, he had an ice attack going, aimed in the direction of the air. That same direction that went right through Koto.

The man's tan, blue jacket and light eyes gave him away as water tribe, if the water bending didn't do that enough as it was. However, a waterbender can't just pull ice out from its course like water. He clearly didn't intend to attack the woman he was about freeze.

Neither firebender took in the shocked look on the assailant's face. They had reacted. Already ready for a fight, and both willing to protect Koto, perhaps not for the exact same reasons but along the same vein. They had both turned, one foot still and their grips on Koto did not waiver. Their other hands, Song's right and Li Na's left both shot out a stream of fire right at the ice. Between the two of them, the flame drew a blue hue and turned the ice into nothing but vapor completely skipping the liquid faze.

The man didn't show too much emotion either way, not overly concerned by what he had done. At least, he wasn't falling all over himself to apologize. The two firebenders wanted to fix that.

Before anything went out of hand, a voice came from above them, "Haru!" The unhappy female who stated that name jumped down from her post on a pole. She had white hair like the male, a lighter blue jacket and black pants instead of gray. There was obvious concern on her face as she saw what could have been a disaster. They were testing which one was stronger and between the two, they almost hurt someone very badly. Someone that looked like she had been hurt enough. Airbending was not an offensive talent, but she made it so. Waterbending on the other hand could cause quite a bit of harm as it almost had. " I am soo sorry for what my brother almost did! I am Rei and that guy is my brother, Haru." She pointed to her brother as her timely intervention saved him from facing two firebenders already well angry.

Haru didn't appear intimidated in the least, keeping his guilt and a healthy sense of disturbed under cool sheets. Could he take two firebenders on? Possibly, certainly would see if he had to, but he had no desire to harm an innocent people either and did feel bad for almost attacking not only an innocent lady, but one who appeared hurt.

When Song and Li Na didn't immediately respond, Rei continued, "Please, let my brother and I help, to make up for what almost happened." At being volunteered, Haru looked a tiny bit perturbed. It was something, and only the tip of the iceberg.

If it were up to Li Na, she'd burn the waterbender into a puddle, certainly didn't trust their offer to help in the least. However, fighting would be difficult with Koto and she didn't want to endanger her. Song on the other hand saw the benefit to ice. With a sigh and a mental curse to Koto, even hardly conscious the girl was STILL rubbing off on her. "If he could refrain from freezing her head off, we could use the help. Follow us." The cooling of ice water could possibly help with the damage done to Koto, which had to be bad since she wasn't saying anything.

The whole time Koto reminded silent, staring unfocused. It was all she could do to remain upright. Nothing in the world made sense to her, the sky or the people around her. There was no way to put her finger on what didn't make sense, it just didn't. Making sense didn't even make sense.

Haru moved forward, since his sister volunteered him he intended to carry the affected member of the group. Neither girl allowed that, they were strong enough to take care of their own. Li Na didn't trust them and Song wouldn't dream of letting anyone else do what she could do herself.

Resuming their walk, they left the twins to glance at each other before lagging behind. The trio still hadn't introduced themselves, kinda rude if you ask Rei, but she likewise kept it cool under wraps. The walk wasn't long and the house was very nondescript. Just an average two story house with an outside entrance to the second floor. As the door was opened, both siblings stood at the door a moment. The room looked so off. Besides the icebox, stove and counter on the left wall and the curtain on the other wall opposite from the door, it looked just off.

There was too much space and it was laid out so awkwardly that neither sibling felt completely welcomed to walk in. They were dealing with the same confusion that had Li Na the first night she had come to the house.

There was more in the room this time, the sleeping bags already laid out the day before in preparation for the trip home after visiting Aang's Memorial the day before. Rei followed the wave in and assisted Song and Li Na in laying Koto down without causing more harm to her. The airbender wanted to know so baldy what happened but as of yet she couldn't speak, Even with her personality, the silence was too placed to risk breaking.

Song spoke first, this was her plan after all. Glancing at Haru she commanded, "Place your hands on the sides of her head and cool them. Don't freeze her, just cool her down a little, it might help with the trauma." She was no healer, that was Koto if anyone, but one thing she did know was to cool down usually helped and it was all they had at their disposal. She and Koto didn't have much money, certainly not enough for a doctor. What Li Na had was unknown since it never came up before. Given that Li Na hadn't suggested a doctor also seemed to confirm they were on the low side of help.

Haru agreed, he also was not a healer but had more experience with using his waterbending to help. Walking towards the injured girl, he slowly unzipped his dark blue jacket. Between the tan and his undershirt, his watertribe pendent really stood out. It was the first time Song thought for an instant that this man was attractive. He was toned and her kind of handsome. The waterbending she could have overlooked if it weren't for the attack on Koto. For now she whispers to Li Na, "Be ready to warm her if he goes too far." Li Na nods her head, not mentioning her plan was much the same, except for a charred waterbender. That was on Song's list too, she was just delegating.

The cooling worked well, and was a bit of a challenge to Haru. He wasn't used to having to control his waterbending so precisely. It couldn't be too cold but had to be cool enough to work. He focused intently on the temperature control, his light eyes glued to Koto's sleeping face. There was no outward sign that this was doing anything but he was committed. While this hadn't been his idea, he was volunteered and would not leave without putting everything else he had into it.

Rei was getting antsy. She didn't know what they were expecting to happen but the lack of anything but heavy silence made her restless. With a deep breath, she abandoned the idea of talking, so far any attempt was met with silence. Crossing her legs, she went into meditation. Tenzin would be pleased and it was all she could do.

Song tighten her grip on her pant leg, knuckles going white as she looked for signs. What she was looking for wasn't clear, but her gaze wouldn't miss it. She and Li Na saw it at the same time, Haru slipped a bit and Koto's lips were turning blue. Li Na just spoke up first, "Stop, she has gotten too cold." As soon as she spoke up, Haru broke his concentration and stopped his attempt. Koto was still sleeping, there was sign either way but her color came back.

"Well", Song cut in, "I don't know anything else we can do. We'll keep watch on her." It was more of a dismissal then she might have intended, but these two people did not make her comfortable. Li Na was in agreement, there was no telling if this even did any good or more harm than good.

Haru didn't like just leaving a project undone. Once he was committed to something, he saw it through. "We'll be back tomorrow just to see how she is doing." Standing, he put a hand on his sister's shoulder to pull her out of meditation. Rei likewise got up and followed her brother out. Coming back wasn't that appealing. For Firebenders, the two females were cold and blocked off.

In the morning, Koto awoke. She was confused about what happened between Aang's memorial and getting home. A lot of what happened was foggy and it took her time to process that she was home. Some things still didn't make sense, like why Song was sleeping sitting up. She was leaning against the wall like she was sitting vigil and Li Na was sleeping awkwardly, her head resting on her arm as she slept on her front but at the hips on her side nearby.

"Song? Li Na?" Reaching forward she nudged Li Na and roused her. Both women looked right at her but didn't speak right way, like they were waiting for something. "What happened last night? I remember getting to shore. Firebending? There were two other people, I heard their voices and coolness but I can't quite remember what was going on." Both Li Na and Song let go a breath as if they had been holding it. For Song, Koto was the closet to her than anyone else, she was the only person who never let her down. For Li Na, she was almost surprised that she was bothered so much about this and was just as concerned. There was just something about Koto and her dream, her courage, to see that go so soon was unthinkable.

Song reacted first, moving forward and hugging a now shocked Koto. Li Na started to reach out her hand but retracted it, she still felt awkward about such a show and even more so since Song beat her to it. Those two were much closer than she ever hoped to be. Instead, she answered the questions, "You were hurt worse than we thought. On the way back a waterbender nearly iced you, we stopped him. He helped after, I think." Really, she didn't know what was really wrong with Koto or if the cold helped at all.

Koto smiled, "Thank you both for helping me. I look forward to meeting them and thanking them! It would be wonderful to learn a bit from a waterbender!" She was unconcerned about the attack they mentioned. If they allowed the waterbender to help then it must be alright, Song wouldn't let anyone near her if she thought they would hurt her. She trusted the other woman completely and totally.

Song couldn't help herself, as she pulled back from the hug she said, "Finally, someone to teach you your element, water," The responce was just what she expected and a great sign Koto was still Koto. Koto glared, again in her mind there was fire everywhere shifting as she gave her hardest glare. "I am a firebender!" There was nothing wrong with water, just wanted fire.

Laughing, Song stood up and put her hand out, "Well then firebender, get up enough lying about!" Koto took her hand and stood steady this time. She left Song and Li Na to put away the sleeping bags, pretty happy they were even letting her get away with that. As she headed towards the ice box there was a knock at the door. Opening it she was greeted by twins. The male was cute, very cute in his dark blue jacket, gray pants and adorable white hair spiked up. The female was lovely too, long white hair and a lighter jacket but darker pants. "Hello, I am Koto, can I help you?" She smiled brightly, a relief for Rei. Another off set Firebender wouldn't pleasant. She responded first, the more forward of the two. "Hi, I am Rei, you got caught between Haru and my contest and he almost hurt you." She nudged her brother playfully and finished, "He helped, or tried to help, how are you feeling?"

The firebenders behind Koto started to converge at the door, protective and skeptical. Unlike her companions, Koto wasn't the least bit concerned or suspicious, "I missed a good show, then! I love seeing other benders at work. I may not be one yet, but I will find a way to become one." When neither twin laughed, they passed her big test and she just smiled more. "Thank you, Haru for helping me, and thank you Rei as well. I am sure you know Song and Li Na then." While she wanted to be a firebender, the idea of seeing other types was always exciting.

Rei liked her, she had big dreams. "Wow, that is amazing! If you want to be a waterbender or airbender we could help. We are probenders ourselves!" Granted that wasn't as much to brag about. They were out of the finals this year. Though watching the fire ferrets was almost as good, they were the team she liked the best.

Behind them another voice piped up, "Koto? I heard you were here." The twins turned to the side, startled by the voice as much as the others. After taking a bit of time to study the tanned green-eyed girl, Koto finally placed her, "Ryly right? I remember meeting you right before that rally, did you make it out okay?" Ryly stood out because she had been talking to her before Amon got her blood boiling. In all the confusion and events that followed, she forgot the girl she had met until now.

Ryly grinned, impressed that she wasn't the only one that remembered. Without being invited, she breezed into the house, passing Rei and Haru to enter the house and give Koto a hug. She just had an ease about her, probably what was keeping Li Na and Song from roasting her. Ryly looked around at all the unfamiliar faces. Rei looked a lot like her when she let her hair down, except her hair was jet black and the other had an unusual white color hair. The male wasn't bad, "Who is the hottie, one of your boyfriends?" That sort of question usually got her a fun reaction, but almost no one reacted. Cool crowed, but at least she pegged Koto right. The girl was confused, then blushed and explained, "No, we just met Haru and Rei." Though if Haru had a great personality behind that cool facade, that would be a great thing to have.

The ease of Ryly complemented Koto's own and she happily introduced everyone since only she and Rei were open enough to really interact with strangers. "This is Song and Li Na, they were both at the rally too, I met Li Na there. She agreed to help me on my journey. Song and I have already traveled a bit on our way. Haru and Rei I have just met. Well, lets not all sit around, come on and lets eat!" She reached out and grabbed Haru's sleeve and Ryly followed suit by grabbing Rei. While Haru might have resisted, Rei went along. "The rally? What rally?" This had to be a big event, bringing so many people together, but it wasn't one she was sure she had heard of.

All Song and Li Na could do was sigh. First, pony tails were far too common, just an edge of girlish pride, and second, Koto seemed set on collecting a gaggle of benders. Song for one wanted it back to the way it was, just her and Koto. Even now she longed for just Li Na and herself with Koto. There were too many people and the talkative members were almost bonding as they spoke. The only ones standing off was herself, of course, Li Na and Haru. Haru wasn't so bad, but this was getting to be too much.

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I know it was a bit rushed at the end, I wanted to get everyone out and introduced. Let me know what you think!