A/N: So today I am having a six hour long drive to Virginia, plenty time of to write! I might not survive because I'm stuck in a confined space with my sister, but it's all good. Right?

Thank you all SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for your support! I love reading the Reviews and they make my day! So sorry about the last cliffhanger… actually no I'm not MUHAHAHAHAHA! But seriously, I love you guys! (Guess who's been reading HoH) So in honor of my loyal readers HERE is the NEXT CHAPTER! Dedicated to everyone who has read this story! You all are amazing!

Chapter Seventeen

Death is only the beginning

Am I dead? That was the only thought that came to mind when I stared around at… nothing. I was surrounded by white fog, and for as far as I could see it is everywhere. But what startled me was how empty everything seemed, no noise, sights, smells. Even the fog had no substance, when I reached out to touch it; I felt no cold chill or heat. It was just there floating, obscuring my vision. And I shivered thinking on what it was hiding from me. I tried bending it, but my water bending did nothing. Then fire. No spark no flame! In a panic I tried the most basic move and. Nothing. Happened. I tried to control the panic whelmed up inside me. Why was there no bending? Why was there nothing at all?

"What is going on here?" I screamed at nothing. "Where am I?"

"Kida." I whirl around there standing in the middle of the fog was a women. She was short and very pretty with black hair cut to her chin and golden eyes. She wore a simple red dress and her heart shaped face had a soft smile.

"Who are you?" I ask, shocked that there was someone else in this place.

"I am your mother." I gasp, my eyes wide with shock.

"My mother?" I whisper, barely daring to believe that it could be true.

"You know how I died. I got very sick with you and when I gave birth to you, I died shortly later."

"Does this mean I'm dead too?" I ask numbly.

"You have been called by death to join me, but something ties you to the mortal world."

"What?"

"Your life."

"But I died! Jia killed me, how does my life keep me… keep me…." I struggle to find the correct term to describe this place.

"You are in between life and death, you can choose whether to leave and come back much later in life or stay with me and your father."

"My father? But… but… he left me." I stutter, as sadness and pain rips at my heart.

"Not in the way you think. He did not leave you alone at an orphanage because he didn't care about you. He stumbled across the thieves during the robbery, and they tried to kill him. He protected you with his life and got you to an orphanage. That is part of the reason you here, between worlds and not going on to join death."

"What? Dad died? For me?" I ask, tears streaming down my face.

"Yes. You were less than two weeks old when this happened, we were so closely connected spiritually when I died part of my life was transferred to you. And when your father died his was also given to you." My mother softly and calmly shattered everything I have ever thought about myself and my life.

"That's why I can bend two elements." I say softly as I cry. "What happens now?"

"You can leave or stay but it is up to you." I look into her eyes, soft and gentle. This was a chance I could meet my parents, thank my dad, and meet my mom. What do I have waiting for when I lived? Until recently nothing. But now I have friends counting on me.

"Mom… I'm sorry, but I have people counting on me, I can't just leave them." I say, wiping tears from my face.

She smiles a soft, but sad smile and says, "I understand. You sounded so much like you father right then. He is proud of you Kida." And at her words, a small portion of the fog parted behind her and I could see rows and rows upon people. Old and young, men and women. All partially shrouded by the fog, though one man stood out in more focus than the others. He was tall with broad shoulders and a square face. He has dark skin and hair and a nose that looks like it was once broken and never properly healed. At once I knew who he was, my father. My throat tightened and it was all I could do not to race over and hug him, but I knew what I had to do.

"I must leave." I say a sob cracking my words.

"Yes, but first you must give us something in return. No one should be allowed to die and then return, at least with not without a price. So we must take the life force that allows you to return. From now on once you die, you will die." My mother then waved her hand and a red glow surrounded me. A small flickering flame appeared in front of me and then went out in a puff of smoke. I shivered; feeling a sharp tug in my stomach and then as if something is missing.

"Goodbye mom, bye dad. I'll see you soon." I say, while my hearts wages war on its self.

My father raises his hand in farewell while my mother cries out "We love you Kida!"

I close my eyes and smile, understanding for once in my sad miserable life, what it is like to have the love and care of your parents. Then in a sudden whirl of colors and sounds, I slip into the mortal world once more, while a single tear trails down my face.