Chapter 25

Lets go to an Author's House! Part 1

A week had pass since the incident at a certain abandoned house. Well, it took a week for all the info that they had gotten to actually be used. The thief was silent and nothing new actually happened. Whoever stole the S.W.O.R.D was remaining silent as Shesh let out a large sigh leaning on the table Xinzang had set up for them. Her house was the best place to set up a meeting area, the back room was large and it was in a place everyone could reach easily.

It was a team meeting one could say. There were a lot of people there, Shesh, Qishi, Tahno, Skoochy, Liang Xinzang, Pet Show and even the airbender known as Boushi were all sitting at a rather large table. Skoochy frowned as he adjusted his hat, before setting his feet on the table earning him a glare from the currently standing Xinzang.

"Did...you really fight poisonous blood bending rats?" Tahno eye twitched, he had no idea why he was still hanging out with these people. Though he had been working for Xinzang and Skoochy for a bit, however that was getting off the subject.

"Shit Tahno, you think I can make something like that up?! It seems no matter what, weird shit tends to happen to us!" Shesh almost sounded like she was complaining as she crossed her arms leaning back into her seat. Qishi simply chuckled before cleaning her glasses.

"Well, it can not be helped. That is why we have informed about the current situation, we are once again forming the Downtown Alliance!" It was a name unfamiliar to all of them as Xinzang tilted her head ever so slightly.

"Umm, if I could ask...what exactly is the Downtown Alliance?" Obviously Xinzang was too old to understand the grander, or maybe Qishi simply was listening to too many radio dramas. Either way, it seemed that everyone in the room needed to be educated.

"Do you all not recall the events that transpired not too long ago. When we battled assassins and under my guidance and expert thinking overcame them and saved Downtown?!" Perhaps the former gang leader was recalling the events incorrectly, though they understood what she was referring to as the Downtown alliance as Tahno slumped his shoulders.

"H-hey, if we're going to have a name shouldn't we vote? Not that I care about stupid stuff like this," now they really were getting off topic as Xinzang gave a small cough trying to get the younger members back on track.

"We can think of names later, now please dears, may you be so kind to actually tell us what is so important?" Qishi flicked her hair at Xinzang's comment an explanation was indeed needed.

"As you all know there is someone that have been killing people in downtown. So I take it upon myself to start the search since the police force does not seem interested in investigating such a scene," Qishi then glanced at Boushi before taking a large piece of folded up paper out of her pockets and laying it on the table.

"I also managed to get a list of people that may have been stabbed by the S.W.O.R.D, these were patients that were sent to the hospital due to the attack," it was amazing that Qishi was capable of getting such information. Even if she was no longer the leader of the Agni Kai gang it seemed that she was still capable of obtaining information. "Chances are, the one that killed Toushi is one of the people on the list..." The moment Qishi said that Boushi cracked his knuckles and grumbled.

"Then what are we waiting around here for, lets go find that bastard...killing him, settling the score is the only thing I care about!" One could hear the rage in his voice as Qishi sighed.

"It is not that simple, we must treat this delicately, you must remember. Regardless of her fate, your sister did rather horrible things, this is what one would call...Karma," Qishi twirled her hair as Boushi grunted slightly before straightening his jacket.

He knew that, he knew do bad shit, bad shit was going to happen to you. He knew his sister was all prepared to even kill people if it meant uncovering the secret of the S.W.O.R.D. Though for some reason that simply made her death even worse. Because in the end, it was her own fault that her death happened. After all, she was the one that created the bender that killed her.

"None of that matters to me," Shesh stated bluntly before looking at the paper. "I don't care about the S.W.O.R.D or the benders that were created because of it. I just want to stop the murders that have been happening lately, everything else was extra. Plus, the S.W.O.R.D sounded like something the White Lotus would be interested in, though Shesh doubted they could do anything of note with it.

Speaking of the White Lotus...

"Hey, Boushi, did anyone ask you to go with them?" Shesh leaned against the table as Boushi blinked for a moment before he leaned against the wooden wall, eyes closed and arms crossed.

"Ah...actually, not too long ago some people came by wanting me to go to the air-temple. I turned them down, I can't really see myself doing something like that, plus I have to find Toushi's killer. I really can't do that while hanging around a temple all day," he made a good point before Liang gave a light huff.

She was sill rubbing her forehead in a futile attempt to get the odd marking off her head. She was lucky her bangs were long enough to cover the mark, but she still didn't want it on her head. She couldn't even complain though, she wanted excitement after all, and she got it. Even if it wasn't the kind she actually wanted to needed.

"Anyway...I assume you want us to talk to these people, right?" Skoochy asked as he adjusted his hat. Qishi simply smiled.

"Always on point, but not today. I still need to gather more information about them, today we simply came by to relax actually!" Qishi lifted her finger as Shesh continued her friend's thought.

"Speaking of that, what are you making for lunch?" Shesh asked casually. Xinzang simply sighed at the comment, it seemed that even when they got their own place Qishi and Shesh couldn't help but mooch off of her. Not that she minded, having company was always a joy in some way or form.

"I haven't decided yet, maybe something a bit more salty this time," the woman chuckled before she turned her attention to Skoochy and Tahno.

"Oh, I am sorry to ask this of you two, but I need you to make a delivery for me right quick," it wasn't out of the ordinary for Xinzang to ask them. After all Skoochy was living with the woman, but Tahno still grumbled.

"I-isn't my day off, plus you're about to make lunch right? Can't I just relax for a bit," Tahno nearly whined as Xinzang gave a small huff.

"Listen, a good employee comes in even when they have a broken arm! Plus it's only one delivery and I'll make sure to pay you something extra," Tahno sighed, perhaps it wouldn't be too bad. After all, it was one short delivery nothing that would have to have too much focus. They would drive up there, drop off the baked good and leave, nothing more nothing less.

"So...who are we delivering to anyway?" Skoochy asked as Xinzang smiled.

"A rather famous writer, she wrote a romantic epic about a woman jumping into a volcano after she lost the love of her life!" Despite the giant smile on Xinzang face when she said that, it really didn't sound romantic at all as Skoochy shrugged. He was not one to question the popularity of a book, after all he barely knew how to write.

"Okay, fine...I guess I'll use my Satomobile, I needed to get some shampoo anyway," Tahno showing just how much deification to his hair he had as Xinzang smiled ever so slightly.

"Perfect! she should live somewhere in midtown, apparently her house is pretty big so you can't miss it!" Xinzang really didn't give too much detail of the home, as she walked to the back of the room pulling out a small cardboard package with an address written on top. She handed the small box to Skoochy and the key's to her cabbage car to Tahno.

"The food should be just about done when you guys get back!" Xinzang smiled as Tahno and Skoochy looked at one another. Shesh was snickering slightly to herself over the scene. It was too funny, though she was somewhat happy that both of them managed to find work after the previous events.

"Don't mess up too badly Tahno, also if you see something good for my hair bring it back!" Shesh pointed that out as Tahno rolled his eyes, both he and Skoochy exited the room as well as the building. Leaving the rest to discuss any plans they had to solve such a case.

To say their trip was uneventful would have been understatement, outside of Tahno stopping on the way there to pick up some shampoo nothing really of note happened. Tahno continued to drive down the streets of Republic City, they were obviouly in midtown at that point as Skoochy looked out the window of the Cabbage car.

He took a quick look at the brown package that had a sweet smell to it, thinking about it. He never actually thought he would be hanging around doing that kind of thing, though it was funny how life worked out.

"Oy, Tahno, I think this is the place," Skoochy made an off-hand comment. Though by the sheer size of the building in front of them the person was obviously wealthy. Tahno stopped the Cabbage car and parked in next to the sidewalk before finally looking up at the building. It looked rather expensive, it had a clean look to it. Like it was made out of paper of some sort, it was a place where a write would enjoy.

Skoochy took a step out of the cabbage car, his hands still on the package as he turned to face Tahno who was leaning in the driver's seat. "This shouldn't take too long, just wait out here," Skoochy stated as he shut the door and walked up to the front steps of the large building.

He casually gave a small knock on the door. There was nothing but silence, even the door was painted white as Skoochy turned to look back at the cabbage car that Tahno was still inhabiting. The waterbender gave a shrug, Skoochy groaned slightly before looking around. There was indeed a Satomobile parked a little ways off. Someone was most likely in the building as Skoochy let out a sigh.

He touched the door knob as it turned. It was unlocked as the street urchin weighed his options.

He could enter the house to see if anyone was home, but he was pretty sure that was breaking and entering. However if they didn't deliver it then the client could complain that the package arrived or arrived late. This would cause Xinzang a rather big headache, something that Skoochy wanted to avoid. So with a tug on his hat the 13 year old entered the home.

The entryway was brown, it seemed most of the house was made of wood as Skoochy walked through it. Stacks upon stacks of paper with scribbles on it were scattered about as Skoochy scanned each room. His goal after all wasn't to surprise the owner, he just wanted to deliver the package and leave as soon as possible.

Skoochy examined the rooms, there was a kitchen of some sort filled with paper and what appeared to be a main room...also filled with stacks of papers. He knew writers wrote, but the entire thing seemed a little extreme to him. He noticed a set of stairs leading to a higher floor, Skoochy sighed. Working his way from top to bottom probably would have been quicker anyway.

Skoochy descended the stairs trying to make as much noise as possible. Someone had to hear him sooner or later, or maybe no one really was home...

At the top of the stairs was a large hall with no doors on either side. The only door that seemed to exist was one at the very end of the hall. It was large and imposing despite it not being physically larger than any of the other doors. It it was a heavy feeling, like opening the door was just asking for trouble.

"Man, this really is annoying..." common sense dictates that if your head has a bad idea in it. He still however needed to deliver the package regardless of common sense. So he steeled himself as he casually strolled down the the hall to the wooden door. He turned the knob slowly as it crept open, Skoochy looked inside the room to see a rather interesting scene.

Books and piles of paper were surrounding a desk as Skoochy looked at a table near the back. Long brown hair flowed down the figures back, they were obvious writing something. Skoochy stopped for a moment, as he knocked on the side of the door, hoping not to surprise the obvious owner of the house.

The brown haired figure twitched slightly as they turned to face Skoochy. Their soft facial features reveled that it was indeed a woman. The woman adjusted her glasses before looking at Skoochy. It wasn't a look of surprise, but rather of annoyance as she looked at the package he was holding before grumbling.

"It's about time you got here," the woman stood up. She was in what appeared to be a long robe as she shoved her hand into one of its many pockets before taking out a few Yuans. But before she could give them to Skoochy, the woman looked at the street urchin. The kind of look that one would give if they were staring at a piece of art.

The woman's lips curled slightly, she was trying to hold back a smile. Skoochy got a awful feeling in the pit of his stomach, now he really wanted to be paid and be on his way. The woman handed him the yuans as he handed the woman the packaged, the brown haired writer then spoke.

"You've been through a lot haven't you. I bunch of unique situations that you are keeping wrapped in that skull of yours..." the woman could tell just by looking at Skoochy that he's been in a large sum of bizarre situations as the street urchin took a step back. He got the money, the only thing he needed to do was leave.

"I would love to hear some of your life events!" The brown haired woman gave a large grin as Skoochy face twitched slightly, he was honestly weighing his options. Being rude wasn't a problem, he didn't mind being rude at all, but he still felt like the situation should be handled delicately.

"Thanks, but I have a friend waiting for me outside, maybe another time," Skoochy slowly backed away as the woman's eyes narrowed. She gave a small huff, before she tapped her lip.

"That's unfortunate, I thought we could do this the easy way...but I can't let such good writing material go to waste," her voice was cold. Cold enough to cause a chill to run up Skoochy's spine, he was prepared to make a dash towards the door. However something strange happened, he felt like he was tripped by something as he fell over.

A stack of books that were no where near his feet before was suddenly in front of him. Something wasn't right, he didn't even notice the stacks of paper move. Skoochy turned his head to face the woman. She was already back at her seat, sitting down rather casually as she smiled. Her fingers twitch as small gust wen through the room. Papers being controlled like water as they wrapped around Skoochy covering his entire body outside of his face.

A paperbender doesn't exist...and the way that she was controlling the paper only lead to one conclusion.

"You're an airbender?!" Skoochy eye twitched, he wanted to say that was impossible. However after meeting two airbenders that weren't directly related to Avatar Aang, it became something that was more uncommon than rare.

The woman simply twisted her hair uninterested in Skoochy's comment. "Yes, it happened rather recently...something involving me getting stabbed with a sword. However, that doesn't interest me at all, what interest me is you and the stories you have to tell," the writer chuckled as Skoochy started to struggle before he winced.

There was a small amount of pain in his arms and legs. The more he struggled the more he gained the feeling that he was getting cut.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, I might slit your throat by accident if you keep moving like that," Skoochy bit his lip as he stopped moving, the writer simply laughed before leaning back in her chair.

"Now...lets hear the story about how you got that hat of yours!"

Author note

The shortest chapter of the story yet. Though it's probably because it's a two part. Though this is just buffering the chapter count which I hate. But it was either get it out now, or wait another 2 weeks before finishing it! With that being said, this story arc is overall shorter than the others anyway so I guess it's okay.

Also 7080 hits. It's been over a year since I've started this fic, and I'm not even halfway through. Thanks for the support guys.