Chapter Twenty Five: The Cost For Life
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar. I do own Yoshiro, Ieko, Giriri Island and Arrengos.
A/N: Some curse words will pop up. Just giving you the heads up.
A/N: I hate to say it, but this is the LAST chapter. I'm going to add an epilogue, but besides that, this is the last chapter!
Flashback four years ago:
"Daddy, can't we go? Please? The island's nice at this time of year!" Nine year old Yoshiro pointed to an island on the map.
"Yoshiro, we can't. I have work to do, and with the war going on…maybe not today," General Xokku said.
"But…what's with the war? Stupid war! I just want to go to Giriri Island!" Yoshiro stomped.
"The war's been hard on us all," General Xokku sighed.
"When's the war's over, could we go?"
"Sure."
End of flashback
I feel a surge of pain go through my body…it's eerie and I feel faint. I guess when you're about to die…your feelings don't matter anymore…and you see your life pass in front of your eyes….
I hear voices. Voices that are familiar to me. I think they're worried…they think I'm on the brink of death…they're afraid that I won't make it. Damn Ieko…damn him to hell! If I do live, I hope he's dead.
My right arm doesn't feel connected to me anymore. Of course it wouldn't, that knife went right through it. Who could live through that?
I wonder if Zuko knows. Not that I like him, no, I couldn't EVER like that annoying, obsessive, immature weirdo. I kind of wish we were friends. Instead, I captured him. And look what it has lead me, I'm going to die.
I hope the Avatar saves the world. I can't stand anymore of this war.
My mind…it's wandering on to other things…I'm losing control. I guess death must be near…
If I die, maybe I'll see my real parents…and General Xokku…I'll be so happy, and I'll be away from the war…
I still feel awake. Why am I not dead? I hear my heart beat slowly, but it's still beating. I hear….but all I see is black. Why am I still a living corpse?
I hear voices…I hear Aang's and Sokka's and I hear Katara too. But where am I? Am I stuck between heaven and hell? Am I about to go on?
Maybe it's not time for me to go yet. Maybe I am not ready to die…
I breathe in deeply and try to open my eyes.
I won't die. Not today. I'm going to start everything over. I may be banished from the Fire Nation, but that won't stop me. Hell, nothing will.
I try to lift my head up and weakly open my eyes.
It's all blurry, and I see little. Then I try to get up, but the pain hurts.
"Yoshiro! She's alive!" I heard Katara's voice ring.
I manage to open my eyes. Good. I slowly move my head. I see blood, gauze strips and a pot of flowers. Marigolds, my favorite.
I am finally awake. I weakly smile.
Something's not right. I can't put my finger on it-
Wait!
My right arm!
It's……
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! MY ARM! IT'S GONE!" Yoshiro screeched. She was lying down on a small bed.
"I knew this would happen," Sokka mumbled as he walked into a room where Yoshiro was.
"What's wrong?" Katara asked, she was by Yoshiro's side.
Yoshiro was pale and shaking, but she was alive.
"You're alive!" Aang happily said.
"M-m-m-my a-a-arm!" Yoshiro stuttered.
An old woman came in.
"Ah, so the girl made it through. How splendid. We all thought you weren't going to live," the elderly woman said.
Yoshiro was still pale. After all, her right arm was gone and she barely remembered what happened.
"Why is m-my arm gone?" Yoshiro frowned.
"Well…remember when Ieko threw that knife through your arm?" Katara said.
"It's blurry, but yes."
"Well, it kinda….errr…." Katara couldn't explain.
"We had to go to the next town over so you could go to a hospital. To make it short, your arm was amputated. It was hell," Sokka recollected.
Yoshiro looked at her right arm. She just had a shoulder.
"They put you to sleep using some kind of herb or something, and even though the operation was a success, you were losing blood badly. I-er-we were worried that you would die," Sokka said.
"Is he telling the truth?" Yoshiro asked Aang.
"Yup."
She nodded.
"So….what happened to Ieko after I fell?" Yoshiro asked calmly.
The three hung their heads.
"Ieko committed suicide shortly after," Katara said.
"Did you watch it?" Yoshiro asked.
"No, but we heard him jump off a cliff," Aang said.
Silence.
"At least I'm left handed," Yoshiro sighed.
"Don't be so sad. We must be glad your friend made it! I have tea, some biscuits and some jelly!" The elderly woman said.
"Thanks for…well…allowing me to stay in your home," Yoshiro said.
"You're most welcome!" The woman went to her kitchen and brought a basketful of goodies.
Yoshiro smiled.
"What're you going to do? You're banished from the Fire Nation and your family is dead," Sokka said.
Yoshiro laughed.
"Don't be so pessimistic, Sokka. I'm going to stay and travel. After all, I would rather lose an arm than lose my life!" She grinned.
"Really!" Aang exclaimed.
"Yup. Can I come along? I can help you learn earthbending and firebending if you want," Yoshiro asked Aang.
"You're in!" Aang chirped.
The four all grinned as the elderly woman set out the food.
I am so glad to be alive. Although losing an arm is very bad, I'm glad to even be breathing! I guess I wasn't ready to die. Whatever comes in my way, I'll be ready. Because, after all, I am a earth and fire girl!
S.E.: I was originally going to make Yoshiro die, but I think losing her arm and almost dying is much better. Maybe I should have made this a drama fic...
Chi: I can't believe this is the LAST chapter!
Natasha: Baka! S.E. is going to make an epilogue, RIGHT?
S.E.: I am
Baka- stupid in Japanese (at least I think it is...)