Sat. back and with the last chapter! At the end of this there will be some closing notes. Don't skip this unless you don't want to know what the title is in English and something else important. So this is just closing things up and epilogue-ing it up. Enjoy the last chapter! I own nothing familiar. This ch. deserves all the song this time.
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Unwind by Pink
I hide my pain like the rest of them
That's why I'm always laughing
I'm troubled, I'm brilliant and miserable too
That's why I am so funny
I swallow down all my fears
With a bottle made of silver
I've only been here for 27 years
But already my life is over
Chorus 1
And I need to unwind, yes, and I
I need to unwind, yes, and I
Want all the time
To be loved, to unwind
My life is like a fairytale
That nobody believes in
I can't remember anything
Not the people, not the places I've been
Just one more day you can make it, babe
That's what I tell myself
And everything that I love in life
It is killing me, 'cause it's bad for my health
Chorus 2
Somebody comfort me
S...southern comfort me
Somebody comfort me
S...southern comfort me
Chorus 1(3x)
Chorus 2(out)
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Mitsuri and Shido (After Everything)
The sun seeps through the window, glinting on the thin black metal fans sitting on the table. The little white room with blue and white blankets is quiet. The plastic tube with the needle at the end sits on the side of the bed, its job done for the time being. Paper rustles with a pen hastily scratching over it, happy to be of service.
Man, I haven't written poetry in a while. I place my pen down and watch a few birds fly out of the windows. I can finally move on my own. Though, what Lady said to me yesterday is still annoying me a little. Why would she tell me that I wouldn't be paralyzed if I overdid my movements? Oh well.
I finally convinced Gaara to leave and do some paperwork. I also convinced everyone else that I don't need someone with me all the time. Wonder what Mitsuri's up to. In fact, why did she ask for one or two ninjas to be sent to her house? Was she worried that Tori would attack her and use her against me? That always was a possibility. Not a very likely one, but it's still understandable to ask.
Something just doesn't really add up with her request. Yeah, she's always crazy, but she usually has rational requests with rational answers… she just doesn't act rationally. A light knock sounds from the door and I say come in. A jounin that I've never met before comes in with Shizune behind him. The jounin is from the Sand Village.
"Hey, Shizune. What's up?"
"Ava, Lady Tsunade wanted to give this to you herself, but she can't today because of a few meetings," she says looking sad.
What's wrong? Why is she looking like that? What happened? The shorthaired woman nods to the man that entered first. He walks up to the side of my bed and hands me an envelope with Ava in English on the front of it. This is from Shido! He's the only one who can write in English besides me. Why did he send this? Glancing up at Shizune (who looks at the floor with that same sad expression), I gently rip open the paper and unfold the letter.
Dear Ava,
If you are reading this, then I'm no longer in this world. I don't mean this dimension. When I was still living in America I was diagnosed with a terminal eye disease. The only thing keeping me alive was the last fan fighter's gift of temporary immortality to death by old age and sickness. The teacher I replaced was killed by bandits on a trip.
You, my dear girl, were like the daughter or granddaughter I never had and always wanted. I never looked into relationships due to the fact that I was made somewhat immortal. I never knew how long I would be alive and I didn't want to bring an innocent person into this entire situation.
Ava, you brought a lot of light into the few months that I knew you. To be able to talk to someone else from America and have American food again was greatly appreciated, more than you'll ever know. You know how bad of a cook I am. Please don't be sad, my dear, it was my time nearly fifty years ago. You have made me proud that an American has become the newest fan fighter, and do not forget where you came from and what your country represents. What our country represents.
Randle Smith
What? I reread this short letter written in smooth handwriting. Is this true?! Why didn't he tell me before?! A drop of liquid hits the paper, missing the ink. I set it on the side table, losing the struggle of not hyperventilating. Calling me "my dear" never works, Shido.
"Has this been confirmed?" My voice is thick and cracking. I might lose it right now. My fingers grip the blanket that I hear the fabric strain with a small squeak sound.
"Yes, I'm afraid so," she lowly says. I look up at the woman to see her head lowered some more.
"What happened to Mitsuri?"
"Ava, she…"
No! No, no, no, no! No way, no how after all that goddamn effort did I just lose my two teachers! I fling off the covers and stand up (wobbling). I snatch up my weapons from the table and strap them on. It can't be true! Someone's just playing a cruel joke and it's not funny! I head straight for the door.
"Ava," Shizune says, getting in front of me, "you can't leave! You're too hurt for that!"
"Shizune, get out of the way before I make you."
She looks startled at the anger in my voice (and no doubt in my eyes) and slowly moves to the side. The door nearly breaks as I fling it open and storm down the hallway and down the stairs. I slip on a few and land hard on my back, but I ignore it and get to the main entrance. The doctors and nurses and patients watch me as I continue to the entrance. Busting through the door, I run face first into someone's chest. I would have pushed off if they didn't grab me. I look up to see Gaara looking at with surprise and worry.
"What happened? What's the matter?" he asks, wiping the sides of my wet face. Have I been crying the whole time? I shake my head effectively getting his hand away from my face, and push him off, turning to where I need to go. My teeth nearly squeak from gritting them so hard. I know she's okay, I know it! Maybe she and Shido just wanted to do this for the hell of it. Please, just tell me they're okay.
"Ava!" he yells behind me and I break into a sprint, ignoring everything that hurts. I break into the forest with all of the Sand siblings behind me and closing fast. Soon, I find the shack and nearly run into it again. I rest my palms and forehead on the wall next to the bamboo flap, breathing raggedly and painfully. More tears mixed with sweat fall onto the brown and green forest floor.
"Ava!"
Pushing off the wall, I head towards Mitsuri's house. I know this path so well now that I don't trip over anything. You have to be okay! If someone else is doing this as a sick joke, they're so dead! If you did this, you crazy old bat, I'll hurt you in so many ways you won't move for weeks! Please, just be alive! You're not allowed to leave me alone! The little house between two trees comes into view. I rip through the door.
"Mitsuri!"
Looking around, the place it empty. It still smells of sweet ash and tea, but it has something mixed with it. Something that settled in and makes my stomach sick. It's a hallow feeling. I know what this is. I hate this feeling. Nothing has moved from its place. The table has a tea cup at her place, along with the teapot and sugar canister next to it.
An envelope is propped against the teapot. Walking towards the paper, I see the cup is half filled with tea. The envelope has my name on it, but in her language. It looks the same (the characters), but I can read it like a second language, like Spanish. Picking up the letter, I take my seat and try to calm down. My shaking fingers open the letter.
Dear Ava,
You did it! I am so proud of you, young lady! I listened to the whole fight and I think that man named Gaara will do well for you. Shido kept me informed of your close relationship with the Kazekage. You must give him some sort of credit for being perceptive between you and your now, I hope, courter. The medallion in here for you is the fan fighter symbol; wear it with honor.
You must know that I am no longer in the living world, but have finally passed on. When I was made a fan teacher, I was young and foolish. I give you warnings on who you choose for the next two teachers. You must either let them know what they are getting into or do not tell them at all. I knew what I agreed to but had no idea of the repercussions of my young decision. I have lived over two hundred years and was in need of death at my doorstep. No human can stay sane for such an inhumane time of living. You were my resting salvation.
I leave everything I have to you, little angel. I have always thought you were an angel, despite how hard it was for you to show it. There is no need for tears, angel. You took away the loneliness that set into this decrepit woman, and for that all my heart thanks you. I asked the two jounin sent here to bury me in front of the first boulder you cut. I have taught you everything I could and I hope more than I know. Thank you, sweet angel, for everything.
Mitsuri No Tenshi
My shaking hands drop the letter. She really is gone. I pull out a necklace out of the envelope. The thick black medallion has four open fans outlined in white connected to make a circle, the waves of the fans sticking outwards. Each has the moon phases etched in white on them.
I tie the black leather around my neck, letting the metal sit on my collarbone. I get up and push past the siblings that were watching me read this. My feet lead me to the back garden/ training grounds and to a fresh mound of soil in front of a dark gray boulder, cut through cleanly. I sink to my knees and let my hair curtain my face from reality as the tears just keep rolling down my face. I just stay still for a long time, numb.
"You lied about the tea, Mitsuri. You had the saying backwards; you're the sweeter one."
I remove sickle from my arm. She can't be unmarked. Those who come by here must know her. Slowly opening the fan, I get up and gather chakura into the blade. I carve her name out in her language with wind slices and underneath it I write in English Friend, Teacher, and Grandmother.
A hand lands on my shoulder and I look to see my red head staring down with worry. I drop my head and my fan, shoving my face into my palms. The twisting weight in my heart is breaking what composure I have left. It hurts so much. He pulls me into his chest and wraps his hands around me as I quietly sob.
"They left me."
"They cared about you and that's important."
"They still left." He pulls me in tighter. I hold him for a second before pulling away and wiping my eyes. They told me not to cry. I can't completely comply with that; I'm human after all, but I will stop now. Kankuro hands me sickle and pulls me into a tight sideways hug. Temari gently hugs me, whispering sorry.
Walking back into her house, I fold the letter up and put it back in the envelope. Looking at all the knickknacks, furniture, and the tea set on the table, I decide to leave everything the way it is; to preserve what I can of her; to defy time somewhat a little more. Shutting the door, Gaara knots his hand in mine and the four of us walk back. Everything is beginning to hurt, but I need the pain right now. It lets me know that I'm still alive somehow. We come out of the forest and are assaulted by light.
"Ava!" I look up to see Neji, Tenten, Lee, Naruto, and Sakura all running towards (well, Neji kinda walks) us with relief on their faces. Word must have spread from Shizune to Lady to everyone else that I ran from the hospital. I look down at the ground, ashamed of my red eyes and face.
"Thank goodness you're alright," Sakura says with a smile. I nod. Everyone starts to ask questions as to why I ran, where I went, and why I've been crying. I can't find a voice to answer any of their questions. Neji (who's been silent the whole time) steps between me and the crowd of badgering friends.
"Something painful has obviously happened to her. Right now, she needs to be left with her thoughts, so leave her be," he says with crossed arms. Why is he helping me?
"Ever the overprotective brother, eh Neji?" Tenten asks with a small grin. Overprotective brother? What the hell does that mean? I see the guy in front of me twitch a little and scoff. I guess in a weird way, he is kinda like that.
"Thanks everyone, but I really need to lie down." They let us pass through and the four of us head to the entrance. Lady leans casually on the wall of the building with her arms crossed over her stomach. We look at each other, letting emotions swap for a second. Damn woman always knew. My shoulders straighten and I hold myself with pride that I've earned as we walk past.
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To whom that can read this,
I was the one who wrote the last entry. I passed the third test at high costs. I killed a third person, breaking a personal promise, and lost my two teachers that were like grandparents to me. Reader, I must warn you to be wary of who you choose to be the next two teachers. They will be immortal to a certain point: sickness and age can't kill them, but other people can.
You have to be strong. You have to have friends. Without some sort of support, you'll not be able to make a second entry like I'm doing right now. I can't tell you how to do any of your duties and I don't think I should. I can give you some advice which is already on the first page. Find people to love. You will need those most of all. You reader, are the new fan fighter. Be proud of this title. Soon, you'll know what it means. I will not write in this again unless there is a good reason to.
Angella, American Teenager and Fan Fighter for any Country and Anyone
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End notes: First, thank you readers and reviewers! My love to you all! Second: I was thinking that if I get enough positive comments (more than three if you please) on the idea of a sequel, I'll write one. I've kind of toyed with the idea for the last week, but I don't want to say anything final.
Thank you all once again for reading Kaltes Feuer in den Sanden or Cold Fire in the Sands. Thank you and please review! It's my birthday tomorrow, so send my reviews as gifts!