The White Lotus War
Chapter 4: The Road Ahead
Yuko's apartment was small, but it was still pretty nice, though completely covered in empty noodle take-home boxes and soda cans. Her bed didn't look like it had been made in years, and it's obviously been years since she did any type of cleaning. Her bathroom was just a toilet and cheap shower, both also filthy, so she probably had to wash her hands in the kitchen sink, also unclean.
Still, it was the only place Hitomi could feel comfortable as she sat there on the bed, waiting for her friend to return. Hitomi was now dressed in her casual clothing; a plain green T-shirt over a brown leather jacket, blue jeans and brown hiking boots.
She was deep in thought about what happened yesterday. First, she had a dream about a large group of people from multiple nations; she now understood that those people must have been past Avatars and the old woman in water tribe armor must've been Korra. Then, after Midori openly insulted her and her family, she became so enraged that she entered the Avatar State and nearly tore her apart. Thankfully, Yuko's voice was able to get through to her.
"But what if she didn't", Hitomi asked herself, "What if she wasn't able to stop me?" Hitomi shuddered. She knew the answer already; she just didn't want to say it.
The door opened and Yuko walked into the apartment with a huge grin and a newspaper in her hands. She said cheerfully, "Hey Hitomi! Guess who's on the front page of every newspaper in the Earth Kingdom!"
Hitomi didn't have to guess, there was only one thing that the entire Earth Kingdom would want to talk about. When Yuko showed her the headline, she was right. On the page was her face taken by one of the photographers at the party. The headline read, Avatar Hitomi Has Been Found!
She still remembered how every single person in the room bombarded her with questions. Even Midori's husband wanted to know why his adopted daughter didn't tell him she was the Avatar. First of all, he was barely ever home and when he was, he never spoke to her. Secondly, she didn't know that she was the Avatar until she almost killed Midori in the Avatar State. She didn't know how to take all the pressure.
Then something really weird happened. While Yuko was trying to get everyone to get off her case, Midori escorted Hitomi out of the room and into a separate guest room. Hitomi was about to say that she was sorry for injuring her, but Midori just told her, very calmly, to pack her things, take enough money for supplies, and leave; she even allowed her to take Ma Gui as transportation. Hitomi couldn't believe what she was hearing; was Midori actually helping her? Was it because she was afraid of her? Was it because she felt ashamed of mistreating the Avatar? She didn't know, because Midori never once looked at her when she spoke; she had her back to her the entire time. When Hitomi left however, she thought she heard Midori crying. She couldn't confirm it though, Midori still held her back to her.
Hitomi barely understood anything that happened last night. Still, she decided to read the paper since Yuko had decided to purchase one for her. The article read, The new Avatar, Hitomi Mizutamari, was recently discovered when she entered the Avatar State at a residential party. We were unable to meet with the Avatar who left the party later. The owner of the household had this to say, "Hitomi has always been a treasure of mine and I've always held her dear to my heart ever since my wife and I adopted her from a local orphanage. I always knew that she would grow up to be something great!" (Hitomi growled at her "loving" father's statement before she read on) We also wished to conduct an interview with the owner's wife, but she declined the opportunity. (Hitomi was shocked. Midori actually gave up the chance for fame and bragging rights of being related to the Avatar? That wasn't like her. Maybe she was more complicated than she had thought. Hitomi continued reading) Though we are unsure of where the Avatar may be, rest assured that the Avatar is here and ready to protect the world!
Hitomi put the paper down and was at least thankful that Hitomi's adopted parents didn't get their names said in the paper. Still, she was sure that Midori's husband would surely make certain that everyone knew that it was him so he can claim bragging rights. She was still amazed that Midori didn't do the same; I mean, she knew that Midori despised her, but did she truly despise her so much to not claim fame to discovering the Avatar? Hitomi wondered about why Midori's husband would take the glory while she didn't; that wasn't like Midori at all.
Then it hit her; Hitomi knew almost everything about Midori, but she knew absolutely nothing about her husband. Despite how awfully she treated her, Midori was still there and she still accepted the fact that Hitomi existed. She was unforgivably rude and inconsiderate, but Hitomi could actually remember one or two instances when Hitomi got hurt or into trouble and Midori actually showed signs of compassion; not much and she was still rude about it, but it was noticeable. Midori always criticized her work more than her other maids and punished her when she did something wrong, but she also gave her a slight nod of appreciation when she performed a job correctly. Midori wasn't a good mother or a good person, but maybe she wasn't that bad of a person.
Still, Hitomi knew that she had to leave this life of hers behind. She had learned that she was the new Avatar, and it was her turn to uphold the history of all the Avatars that had come before her. She didn't know what she had to do during her reign as Avatar, but she did know that before an Avatar had to take up the responsibilities of protecting the world, she had to master all four elements.
"I guess I'll have to head to the Fire Nation," Hitomi finally said to Yuko, "That's the best place I can find a fire bending teacher to learn from."
Yuko smirked and said, "Well you're not going it alone. I'm going with you, no arguments or protests!"
Hitomi smiled. She was so fortunate that she did have at least one friend in the entire world that would always have her back. She knew that Yuko was strong and could easily handle herself in a struggle so there were no protests about her tagging along. The only nagging question, which Yuko brought up, was, "Now, how exactly are we going to get to the Fire Nation on a horse-turtle and a motorcycle?"
Almost on cue, a gust of wind blasted the door open and an old man with air bender arrow tattoos in a White Lotus robe charged in shouting, "Avatar! The White Lotus has arrived to aid you in your time of need!" Yuko, quickly reacting out of shock, punched the old geezer in the face and sent him crashing through the wall!
Another man in a White Lotus robe, with short white hair, a thick white beard and golden eyes, entered the apartment after the other old man was thrown out of the apartment. He was very muscular with a huge build by the size of the muscles on his arms. He carried a hilted sword on his sash that appeared to be of Fire Nation origin. He bowed to the girls and Yuko put her guard down.
He said softly, "Avatar Hitomi, it is an honor. The White Lotus has been searching for you for seventeen years. You have no idea how happy and relieved I am to finally see and meet you."
Hitomi stood up from the bed and bowed back to the White Lotus member. The other old man reentered, rubbing his nose.
"Man," the old man said to Yuko, "You didn't have to punch me so hard! I think I have a nose bleed!"
"Serves you right for just barging into my apartment!" Yuko replied.
"Please forgive Meelo," the other man said to Yuko, "He likes to do things his own unique way."
Yuko looked like she was about to give an apology, but then Meelo proceeded to picking his nose, grossing everyone out.
"Anyway," Hitomi continued to the other old man, trying to ignore Meelo, "Why are you here? Are you going to teach me fire bending?"
"Sadly Avatar, the White Lotus has been very busy these past few years due to some, minor difficulties. Meelo and I are on our way to Ba Sing Se right now."
"What kind of difficulties?" Hitomi asked. She never got an answer.
"So why are you two here?" Yuko asked.
Meelo laughed and said, "Like I said before I was rudely punched out, we're here to help you! The White Lotus has taken the liberty of allowing you to sail on one of our smaller custom built ships to travel to the Fire Nation and any other destination you need to go to when traveling overseas!"
Yuko's face brightened up, "Really? We're going to get our own ship?"
"Yes," the other old man explained, "With a crew of White Lotus acolytes ready to assist you in any way possible. Meet them at Tyro Town and they'll take you across the Mo Ce Sea toward the Fire Nation. You'll be there in a matter of days."
Hitomi bowed to the old man and said, "Thank you so much for your kindness."
The old man bowed back and said, "It was my pleasure to assist you, Avatar Hitomi."
Meelo laughed and said, "Don't sweat it! It's always good to help other people out! That's what us old guys in blue and white robes are here for!" He uncontrollably laughed at his comment as he exited the apartment.
Before the old man left, he turned to Hitomi and said, "Just an idea; when you get to the Fire Nation, head to the capital and find a man with a sword like mine named Shoji. I think he'll be a good teacher for you." Then he left without another word.
Yuko looked back at Hitomi and said, "Well, I guess this is where the new Team Avatar begins their journey."
Hitomi nodded and started to reflect on everything that had happened to her in the past. Her brother was sent away when she was only three, her parents were killed when she was only five, she rotted in an orphanage for four years, and finally Midori drained the life out of her for the remaining nine. Hitomi had a hard and cruel past, but the future was finally starting to seem bright. She was finally going to do something with her life and show the world just how much she could shine.
Hitomi Mizutamari was determined to become the greatest of all Avatars.
All right, the chapter is done! Four chapters are now out of the way and I'd be so appreciative if you would leave me a review to tell me how much you love (or hate, but I would much prefer love) this story so far! I'm having a lot of fun writing this and I hope you're having fun with me! See you soon!
