AN: Special warning. There is some sexual talk and course language in this chapter. Thank you. And yes...I am back for now. Big AN at the bottom.

Chapter V

How to Acknowledge a Man

Staying at the temple wasn't an option for trio. They packed things up and prepared to leave the Eastern Air Temple and head for other places. Amarita gave the trio a pot and utensils as well as rice and beans for food. She told them about the Yon Shu pass that would lead them to the Vashiiti valley.

"Move quickly my sons and don't linger, may Akash and the air spirits be with you." Mao, Yomi and Chiko bowed to the midwife and headed back down the pass to some place where they could plan ahead. Yomi gave one last look at the temple before sighing and heading down. He knew wherever he went from now would be truly up to the wind gods.

Rivers flow down streaming ever following the qi of the world. Down mountains they carve pathways in time…

It has been almost four years. Well, it has been four years exactly since the boys left the Eastern Air Temple. Four years the boys have been wandering all over the Earth Kingdom. They returned of course to Midori in Mu Ten to winter at her house. Whenever spring arrived all three left to find some form of stability. But it was hard considering wherever they went, the Fire Nation arrived a week later. Still, as time edged on, the three grew. Chiko's hair grew over his soft grey eyes, long sandy brown bangs that moved with the winds breath, his rattail grew down his neck and almost to his shoulders but was often hidden by his traveler's cloak. His limbs were now muscled and lean, designed for running through the forests. Mao also looked more grown up now that he was twenty-two, long dark hair tied in a martial ponytail, and his baggy clothes sagged over his strong muscles and thick arms. Yomi looked more feminine as he aged. His hair was golden brown and long, curled at the ends. He, too, grew thick muscles out of survival, but he was built more for speed like Chiko. At twenty-three, Yomi looked more grown up and mature then he ever was, the wisdom of the past years steeped into him like a rich tea.

The three traveled down the eastern slopes near the forested area around the Great Divide. They had plans to visit Omashu for a few seasons, as it sounded like a good idea to Mao, who wanted to rest a while before wandering again. Chiko on the other hand argued against, and wanting to visit Midori again and keep to the regular routine. Mao disregarded his words made his decision final and Yomi agreed with the change as well.

As high summer approached, the trio needed to find another garden to raid. Lately it has been a past time for Mao to seek a nicely tended vegetable garden and rob it of its treasures. Yomi found it shameful but over the last four years, the three realized that food was hard to come by during the winter and also strangely in the summer. Much of the summer fruit had become bitter and hard to eat. Edible roots and tubers were common but Yomi liked variety and had been encouraging his family to eat different things. So using odd job money and money from panhandling, Yomi and Mao bought rice, miso and occasionally tofu if they could afford it. A vegetarian diet is hard to follow when you are impoverished. Still, the three managed what they could. But lately Mao had been sneaking in fish and turtle-duck into dishes for more complete meals. So far Yomi and Chiko haven't noticed the slight changes. Well Chiko at least; Yomi only seemed to look puzzled at the change of flavor, and he pretended not to care.

Mao decided he would raid another garden again.

"Hey what do you think about raiding a garden this afternoon brothers?" He suggested offhandedly as he started tightening his rucksack. Yomi had a worried look.

"I don't know Mao-brother, besides the obvious theft, we should be inconspicuous and not cause too much of a ruckus We almost got caught the last time." Mao took note to that but countered.

"We will inconspicuous, if we are fast and efficient don't dawdle too much. That's what nearly got us busted the last time. We will be in out and nobody will know." Yomi seemed to agree and didn't want to fight with Mao considering his temper. But Chiko decided he would speak up.

"It doesn't m-m-matter if w-w-w-we are qu-qu-quiet. We're going t-t-t-t-o get ca-ca-caught anyway. There a-a-a-re three of u-u-us we would b-b-be too obvious in-in-in a g-g-g-gard-d-en." Mao waved the comment aside and walked on. Yomi shrugged now knowing Mao will never changed his mind. And Chiko felt irritated at the whole situation.

"This is o-o-o-nly g-g-g-going t-t-too e-e-end up badly Mao-Brother."

The trio reached a small garden after walking for a few hours. It looked well-kept and quite fruitful. Squash, eggplant, daikon, napa cabbage, beans, carrots, lettuce, peppers, and broccoli. Mao rubbed his hands cheerfully as he walked over to the fence and looked around for an entry. Yomi didn't like where this was going. Chiko on the other hand was used this routine and didn't pay any attention. Mao walked around the perimeter and found out that the gate was locked. Not surprising. With a leap, Mao jumped over the gate and helped Yomi and Chiko over the gate.

"Just make this quick Mao, I hate doing this, stealing is wrong!" Yomi hissed in Mao's ear. Mao waved him aside and began picking string beans and peas. He took broccoli and eggplants as well as bell peppers and carrots.

"Hmmm the daikon looks ripe and oh rhubarb! I can cook that!" noted Mao as he harvested the vegetables and threw them in his sack. Mao got up and looked to Yomi and Chiko who were standing guard.

"Hey! Yomi, I found onions! Come over here!" called Mao as he showed him the green shoots. Yomi helped Mao unearth the onions and a few cloves of garlic, when Chiko shouted.

"P-p-p-eople c-c-coming!" Mao was alerted at the warning and took the veggies and handed them to Yomi. Mao was the first to spring over the gate and made a mad dash, followed by Yomi. Chiko, as he ran to follow his older brothers, tripped over his feet and sprawled into the fence. He watched as his brothers air-sprinted to safety. Chiko felt a shadow linger over him, like a certain dread. Chiko looked up to see the face of a very unhappy farmer.

"Oh no…Chiko! Where did he go too now?!" Yomi shouted when turned around to find out that his foster son was now missing. Mao's face blanched, as he figured that Chiko had already been caught. And at what might have happened they could only guess. Mao sighed and turned to Yomi with a worried look on his face.

"Looks like we need to head back and rescue our little bird," said Yomi dolefully. Mao nodded, though he had a bad feeling about this.

After steeling up their courage they walked back to the farmer's house. Mao knew they would have to find a new farm for food but maybe he could bribe his way into keeping the vegetables. Just as Yomi was about to knock, the door swung open with a very irked farmer waiting inside.

"So you're the hooligans that took my crop. Figures. Fortunately, I knew you were coming, Yomi, Mao," said the farmer to the pair of bewildered monks. The farmer stared at the boys and boys stared back. Then Yomi spoke:

"We are humbly sorry, O good farmer, we just need to eat to…." Yomi was cut off by the man who dragged them both inside. Yomi was shocked as was Mao, but when they saw Chiko sitting next to a young girl, the farmer explained.

"Apology already given by your little brother. Chiko told me that you're homeless air monks, just trying to get by. I don't mind giving a little, if you just asked for work. I would be fine with giving you some carrots or whatnot in exchange for some simple work. But stealing is wrong, and you lot should be ashamed for taking food that isn't yours, all that karma is going to build up. Now…old Suraj isn't a stingy man, I am actually pretty damn generous, you can give back all the veggies and take your brother and leave or you can stay here for the night work off your bad deeds." The girl looked at the brothers softly or seemed to be looking; her eyes were very distant. Yomi and Mao looked at each other silently before making their answer.

"Mao and I think that the latter option would be much better, we do feel guilty for stealing the vegetables. We just wanted food, but we will work off our debt for stealing your crop," replied Yomi with a somber tone. Suraj smirked and nodded, agreeing with Yomi and Mao's decision.

"That sounds fair now doesn't it, now you boys follow me. Your job isn't too hard, and if you work well I will let you stay in the barn tonight and share a bit of rice. I hope this serves as a lesson in honor and respect. I don't want to catch you and your brother in my fields again." Mao and Yomi bowed in shame, and without saying anything they followed Suraj to their tasks. Mao spoke up suddenly as they reached the back door.

"Hey want about Chi? What's his task? Doesn't he get punished?" Mao said with a tone of one who just got ripped off. Suraj crinkled his nose and spoke with an annoyed tone.

"His punishment was standing here, apologizing like an idiot, for his brother's theft as he was made to stand guard for them and taking the blame for it and saying it was his entire fault for not convincing you and generally beating himself up as you you're your escape. I'm glad at least that you had enough loyalty to at least come back for him. Now you come with me. Chiko is staying here and taking care of Mika, she is blind and Chiko is playing guide for her until you guys are finished. Now c'mon."

Yomi and Mao both looked at each other and felt a fresh wave of guilt wash over them. Not only did they not come right after him or wait, but they left Chiko to take the entire blame for the crime they committed. Yomi thanked Akash for having such mercy from a farmer and his daughter. Yomi looked at Chiko apologetically. Chiko seemed miffed but he hid it with a wry smile at Yomi as if saying you deserved this, with a cynical gleam in his eyes. The brothers followed Suraj outside leaving Chiko with Mika. After they left she spoke to Chiko in light, sunny voice.

"Told ya that they would come back. You need to give your friends a little more credit, Chi." Chiko rolled his eyes and slouched a bit on his stool. Mika could not see his actions but the groan that he made proved that he was still irked with his kin. She stood up and continued to talk.

"It's ok to be mad at them Chi, but you know, they did come back, and they accepted their fate. You don't have to hold a grudge you know." Chiko cleared his throat, and replied back in the same annoyed tone as expression showed.

"I-I-I kn-n-new that th-th-they would c-c-c-ome back, I jj-j-just w-w-was m-m-ad that I w-w-was dr-dr-draaaged along for th-th-th-this and Mao a-a-asking a-a-bout me. He's s-s-elfish al-always." Mika smiled and began looking for a pitcher of water. Chiko stood up to help her when she called back.

"It's ok, I can take care of myself, and I know where it is. But you need to give your brothers some grace. I'm sure they know that you can take care of yourself. After all, you seem quite mature." Mika did not see it, but Chiko grinned at that. In his newly deepening voice he spoke back, unease seeming to fill some parts of his stuttering words.

" Th-th-they kn-n-n-ow that I-I-I am an adult, b-b-but be-be-because of my-my-my lack of an a-a-arm they s-s-still t-t-treat me l-l-ike a little b-b-boy. I'm s-six-t-t-teen for S-s-spirits sake. A man. Yet they h-h-have t-t-to feel that they still have to t-tt-ake c-c-c-are of me!" Mika found the pitcher and poured a cup of water and sat back down. She reached up and felt Chiko's face. Chiko flinched at first but he let the girl feel and touch his cheeks, chin, and nose. But when she went for his left shoulder, Chiko pushed her hand away.

"I see, that part still hurts, not physically, but inside. You hate the fact that you don't have a left arm," she said. Chiko frowned deeply as she stabbed that part of his psyche. "You don't need to make an excuse; I know that you don't want to talk about it. But you know your missing arm doesn't make you a child or less of a man. It will give you strength. I know, because that is how I feel about my blindness, and you need to stop whining about what you don't have and be happy of what you do have." Chiko looked at her, irate.

"I d-d-do n-n-not wh-wh-ine. I g-g-grumpily a-a-argue," Chiko said pointedly to Mika who only giggled and resumed drinking her water. Chiko couldn't help but smile at her laughter. She was a refreshing person to talk to.

Meanwhile, in the hay fields, Suraj was working his new farm hands to the bone.

"After you're done with that, I need you to herd the pig-sheep to the other pasture, and help me harvest the peaches." Yomi and Mao grunted and continued to help Suraj cut the hay. Yomi used a bit of airbending to ease his work, Mao just grunted along feeling more bothered by the minute. Suraj gave the boys some water from the well as they continued to the next task of herding pig-sheep. At this point Suraj began to make conversation.

"So where are you all heading?" Mao remained silent as Yomi spoke up.

"To Omashu most likely. We might head to another town, but Omashu is large and might have an easier time to make a living there."

"It's better if say in a big city than a smaller town, we have been traveling for four straight years, and I think it's taking a toll on Chiko," Mao added. Suraj directed them to lead the livestock to the next field when he replied.

"I see, you think a city would be better than traveling? Well that might be your opinion, but maybe you should ask Chiko about what he thinks. He might not agree with you." Mao looked skeptical and rolled his eyes.

"And you think you know our little brother, right?" Suraj closed the pen and led the boys to the orchard where a few peach trees had their summer fruit on.

"I don't pretend to know him, but I know what it's like to carry a stigma. Seen by others a source of pain, my Mika feels like that every day." Yomi shook his head.

"No, Chiko doesn't feel like that. Not anymore, I mean, he used to feel inadequate around us. But now he knows that he doesn't have to try too hard to be independent." Suraj continued,

"Maybe, I might be reading him wrong, but if you are not even asking him where he does want to go. You are kind of ignoring his opinion, like it doesn't matter. Of course I could just be reading this wrong but anyway. You guys are finished for tonight and the sun is getting ready to set. I'll show you where you guys are sleeping." Yomi felta sense of doubt as Suraj led him to the barn. Maybe all this time he had been discounting Chiko, treating him like his words, as jumbled as they were, did not matter. Yomi couldn't believe Suraj's claim made any sense. But yet through the years he had been only half listening to Chiko's warnings and complaints. Maybe if he had asked Chiko about getting food, they wouldn't have to drag him along to steal.

All of this could have been avoided if we just listen to him. Yomi was now feeling dismal. He walked into the barn and up into the loft where Chiko and Mika were waiting with blankets and a lantern.

"I hope this is reasonable, and we have some rice we can share for a meal," Mika spoke as Suraj helped lead her down.

"You guys stay here, understand? I'll get you guys something to eat if have any extra," said the old man. Mao and Yomi nodded as they joined Chiko up in the loft.

"So how was…umm, Mika right?" Yomi asked as Chiko nodded.

"She was o-o-okay. I liked her." Chiko didn't say anything else; he looked distant and subdued. Mao looked through a small knot in the roof as he waited for dinner.

"You know, I-I-I'm s-s-sixteen now." Chiko said scrunching up his nose and closing his eyes. "I should be an-an-an adult now. But I don't th-th-th-th-think you would re-c-con-ize it." Yomi and Mao looked at each other, and then at Chiko.

"Oh, I see what you mean. Sixteen is the age of manhood in the temples; most monks get their arrows at this time and are free to travel in caravans. Mao and I didn't, but I understand. I really do, you just want acknowledgement," Yomi spoke to Chiko, his voice gentle and quiet. He watched the flame from the lantern play along the deep shadows of Chiko's face. He wasn't a child any more, and in a sense he hadn't been since the attack. Yomi sighed and realized that he needed to stop excluding Chiko from the decisions that he and Mao made.

"So…we don't have any saffron robes or holy oil or purifying water. How should do your manhood ceremony?" asked Yomi. Mao spoke up finally with a snide joke.

"Just get him a girl, and get him laid. Then he would be a man." Mao snickered at his own joke. Yomi rolled his eyes, and sighed. Chiko replied back in the same sort of cynical tone.

"I don't n-n-need to fuck a-a-a-a woman to be a man. You d-d-didn't have to-to-to-to Mao." Yomi snickered at that while Mao glared and rolled his eyes.

"Whatever freak, you probably don't even know what I am talking about." Chiko leaned back and lifted an eyebrow.

"You think I d-d-don't know wh-wh-what sex is? Please…I h-h-h-ear you br-br-br-brag all the time about m-m-men you have t-t-topped," Chiko snarked back crinkling his face as he spat out the words. Mao didn't look shocked, but he was slightly interested.

"Not so innocent, are you. Well, looks like me and Yomi need to give you some credit then. But as for a ceremony I don't know, we could make him eat a hot pepper?" Mao suggested with a laugh. Yomi rolled his eyes. Chiko wrinkled his nose and shook his head.

"I have an idea. I have keeping this with me since the temple. I had in little pocket for protection but, Chiko, I think it's time you should have it. I think we have been ignoring you a lot lately. And I apologize for my treatment of you. Next time and forever we will ask for your opinion on where we go, what we eat and where we will sleep. I am sorry for ignoring you; I'm just used to the little child that wanted to do everything I did. I forgot about the man that I see before me, who wants to follow a different path occasionally," said Yomi. Chiko's cheeks turned red, as it looked like Mika was correct: his brothers did acknowledge him. Well they seemed to at least for now. The youngest monk looked up at Yomi who held something in his hand.

"Monk Tang gave this to me when I turned sixteen and I told him about my affair with Nami. This is mandala, or a cosmic wheel. It is a symbol of how we are all connected. I carried it in a pocket hidden, but now I want you to have it and wear it with pride." Chiko's eyes widened as Yomi showed him a rather large amulet with a beautiful and intricate design on it. It was carved from sandstone and dyed with elaborate colors. Chiko held his breath as Yomi tied the amulet around his neck with a strand of leather cord. Mao smiled in the dim light as Yomi spoke a quiet prayer to Chiko:

"May the East Wind of Love be with you, May the West Wind of Wisdom be with you, May the North Wind of Battles be with you and May the South Wind of Prosperity be with you. In the name of Akash, Spirit of Heaven and Vayu, Mother to all, we recognize Chiko now a Man." Chiko was very still and quiet after the makeshift ceremony. He looked down briefly to see Mika listening below.

"Mika? Wh-wh-what are you doing h-h-here?" Mika smiled and climbed up with a tray, which carried three bowls of rice.

"Sorry for interrupting, but I waited until you were finished." Mika handed the rice to the three with chopsticks. Mika grinned at Chiko who only blushed shyly. She didn't say anything. Chiko could feel her say Congratulations. Somehow he felt a strong link to her, a connection. As he took his bowl and with a flourish of his chopsticks, Chiko shouted. "Lets eat!"

AN: Well I know you were expecting Bloody Hurricane but I am still debating where to put that. Still I figured this chapter was necessary for Chiko's growth and devolvement. Still we will still see adult!Chiko conflicts and kid!Chiko moments through the story. I want to thank readers and my beta for all his hard work editing. I love you Bob 3

Now for a sight Omake, or extra I decided to throw in songs that sort have been a soundtrack to the story. Don't worry I am not going to list everything just few songs.

Song that make things of Travel and the Trio all around

Open Road: David Arkenstone: This is a great song for the Trio when they're in an open field, just running about.

New Day: David Arkenstone: Chiko needs to sing to this, it defintly is a good theme for the Trio

When the Earth Sleeps: Deep Forest and Peter Gabriel: This is defiantly the theme for the story. Just an uplifting beat and it's incredibly well rounded

Character themes

Erase the Pain: Time is Up: It has a doleful melody but very catchy, it seems to bring up images of Chiko as fully grown adult looking into the sunset recalling his life. Defiantly Chiko's theme.

Om Shanti: Diane Arkenstone: Slow, rhythmic and sad, it seems like a good song for Yomi. Defiantly something he could sit in a grove or in the temple while chanting "Om Shanti Om."

Animal I have Become: Three Days Grace: Something that isn't New Age…This song really shows Mao duplicity and almost beast-like survival instinct. The song Storm by the Yoshida Brothers is an excellent portrayal of Mao's emotions.

Never writing this long of an Author's Notes sorry. See ya next time.