Chapter VI

Hurricane

AN: Some sexual diolouge nothing major though

The trio began their journey once again as Suraj and Mika sent them off in the morning. Suraj told them that the several roads leading to Omashu would be risky this time of year because of bandits. Chiko and Yomi agreed it would be best to head east. However Mao, being stubborn, suggested that if they didn't dawdle and took the mountain paths and stayed off the roads they could reach Omashu quicker and with less trouble. Chiko wanted to argue but he kept his mouth shut. Even with his newly appointed manhood, Chiko wasn't a complete expert on land travel and felt that his opinion wouldn't be helpful. He walked alongside his brothers in the cool morning air. It was going to be hot and sticky meaning travel would be done mainly in shade. Chiko looked at the clear bright sky; he smiled, recalling flying on a bison in the summer sun, which brought up a memory of Ten-ten, Yomi's bison.

"I miss her," he said suddenly as he ducked under a branch. Mao made a noise and looked over his shoulder.

"Who?" he asked Chiko. Chiko looked up and sighed.

"Ten-ten, Mama B-b-bison." Yomi had a wry smile on his face at the memory of Ten-ten, knowing that she was probably dead. But he didn't state it. Chiko began humming. It was a simple tune but it was still pretty. Mao ignored the humming until Chiko started to sing. Yomi turned his head to catch the words.

Going going, but never leaving, my heart is at the road

Further further, distance closing, but the horizon is far away

Going going, never stopping, I am the endless road.

Forgetting forgetting, of the pain that hurts so much.

Chiko's singing brought strong comfort to group. Even Mao seemed soothed by Chiko's singing. He was talented, but he was also untrained. Mao saw a grove nearby; it was near a creek and had lots of stones and firewood.

"Ah this looks nice. Chiko, unpack here, and help with camp." Chiko did what he was told, agreeing that this place was nice and had a nice patch of wild strawberries. Chiko threw down his bags and helped Yomi with setting up camp. He made the tents, gathered water, organized food, and helped Yomi with the fire pit. After everything was ready Chiko flopped down on a log and stretched his legs. Yomi had some squash given to him by Suraj that he was going to split and bake for the three to eat. Chiko watched Yomi prepare dinner as Mao looked at his jian, his eyes glazed in thought. Chiko, offhand, scratched his groin, looking to space. Yomi took the opportunity to smack his hand.

"Manners, little bird, don't scratch yourself in public," Yomi chided as he placed the squash in a pot near the fire. Chiko frowned and scratched his neck instead.

"Well th-th-those itch t-too you know. A lot, r-r-really." Yomi looked at Chiko and flicked a glance at Mao before whispering into Chiko's ear. Chiko jerked away.

"I don't ha-ha-have l-l-ice down there!" he said, looking offended. Mao started laughing loudly.

"Don't advertise Chi-bird!" Yomi tried to reclaim his dignity.

"Nothing to get angry at, Chiko. If it itches a lot maybe you should use some fleabane and wash more." Chiko frowned and looked embarrassed. He looked away before mumbling.

"I f-f-forgot h-h-air is e-e-verywhere." Mao laughed even more loudly and clapped his hands.

"Wow, brilliant, now we know why Chiko itches. Apparently he has found a forest between his legs." Yomi cuffed him in the back of the head.

"Be nice Mao, it was difficult for you too. Growing up is a painful process." Mao laughed and shook his head, polishing his sword.

"Painful as it is, it's funny as hell to watch someone else go through it. Puberty sucks huh Chi?" Chiko wasn't paying attention. He wanted to go into a hole and die right now.

After that interesting interlude back at camp, Chiko strolled into the forest for blackberries to snack on while dinner was cooking. As crude as Mao was, he was right. Puberty did suck. He went through most of major changes already. Still, he wasn't finished yet. Mao and Yomi just ended their changes, and Chiko knew that he had a ways to go. Snacking on blackberries, he thought about the awkward conversations he had with Yomi. It was always Yomi who talked to him about these things. One of those "talks" was when he was fourteen, during the "infamous" voice-cracking summer. When he asked Yomi about Nami and falling in love , bringing up the very awkward topic of one's "changes," Yomi of course decided it was time for the "talk;" the one that most monks get when they get their arrows and become adults in the temple. Mao had left the fire ring, leaving Chiko with his foster father, describing the one topic that still made him shudder to this day. Despite the uncomfortable conversation, Yomi was informative and helpful. It was just…embarrassing. Chiko shook his head of those thoughts, swearing that he would never bed anyone as long as he lived.

As his wandering took him to other parts of the woods, he stumbled over a log and found himself face to face with a skunkfox. Chiko stood up slowly, not wanting to upset it. The little skunkfox pounded his front paws and did a little handstand and sprayed Chiko with skunkfox stink. He screamed.

Mao was turning over some sweet potatoes in the fire when he heard Chiko's scream. Yomi and Mao got to their feet, horrified. But as soon as Yomi reached the glade were Chiko was. Mao made a loud exclamation of: "Wooooo HOO! Man! Chiko, wow I see you found a skunkfox." Mao coughed as he took a step back from his younger brother. Yomi coughed and doubled over, clutching his middle.

"Little bird, are you ok?" asked Yomi; Chiko frowned and pouted as he smelled to high heaven. Yomi suggested that Chiko should get back to camp. Then they would see what they could do with him there.

Chiko was taken back to the camp and placed far from the actual site. He sat, red-faced and positively flustered. Meanwhile the two older ones talked about what they wanted to do with Chiko.

"Well, do we have the tomatoes that Suraj gave us?" asked Mao, scratching his chin. Yomi appeared with a basket of tomatoes. "Yeah we still have them. Should we wash Chiko with the tomatoes?" Yomi inquired with a tilt of his head. Mao nodded and began peeling and juicing the tomatoes. Yomi gingerly walked over to Chiko and began undressing him, coughing and gagging a little.

"We need to bury these, Chiko. I am sorry, I know you liked that cloak but your clothes are ruined, Mao is going to bathe you in the tomato juice, and it will get rid of the smell." Chiko shucked off his travel cloak, which was his favorite piece of clothing, and also his brown tunic, trousers, sash and even his cotton fundoshi. Naked and shamed, Chiko cupped himself and glared at Yomi while at arm's length he took the clothes and buried them in the woods. Mao finished filling a large bucket with tomato juice and took a torn cloth and handed it to Chiko.

"Wash your body in this. Make sure you get everywhere. It will get rid of the smell," Mao said, holding his breath. Chiko snatched the cloth and dipped it in the slurry of tomatoes, and began to wash himself all over. He felt his cheeks go bright with awkwardness, rather than the tomato juice. Meanwhile, Yomi watched Chiko with an amused smile. Poor chi-bird, having to do this naked and with his family watching. He couldn't help but laugh and feel bad at the same time. Mao didn't watch. Chiko dumped the bucket on himself and then sat down feeling dirty and smelling like a bad salad.

As night began to fall upon the trio, Chiko's odor was gone. Yomi beckoned Chiko to sit with them.

"I think you have suffered enough. You need to get dressed again anyway. I think we got something extra from Midori this past winter. Oh here we go…um you will have to go without undergarments for a while since we don't have clean fundoshi for you." Chiko groaned as he walked over to the fire shivering and grateful that he didn't stink anymore. Mao looked up from eating and stared at Chiko. Chiko met his gaze. For nearly two minutes they stared at each other before Chiko cupped himself and crossed his legs. Mao sniggered and tilted his head.

"Oh please, it's not like we haven't seen it before," Mao chuckled as he ate his squash. Chiko flushed as he walked toward Yomi to get trousers and his tunic. "Besides, it's not like it's noticeable," Mao added as he licked his fingers, indicating he couldn't see much of anything. Chiko took it wrong.

"Mine's bigger than yours!" Chiko shouted, peeved at Mao. There was a long pause before Yomi started laughing, covering his face. Mao had an odd look, and blinked before asking.

"What? You've compared?" Chiko looked taken aback at first before replying.

"Well…when we bathe I have seen yours and I-…" Mao cut him off

"Ok, ok, sorry I asked. Can we please change the conversation? Its kind awkward to talk about penis size with people I consider my siblings." Chiko cheeks turn a very bright shade of pink. He was now fully dressed. He couldn't help but be a tad immature.

Penis…hehe I forgot how funny that word is. Chiko mused to himself as he munched on some squash.

Finished with the squash, Chiko looked into the embers of the dying fire and put his hand near to warm himself. Yomi looked half asleep and Mao seemed deep in thought. Chiko thought about his days of travel and also about his brothers. He smiled fondly, thinking of Mao and Yomi whose tenderness and comfort and even silliness brought him joy and happiness. Of all the things he treasured, he treasured his brothers the most. He turned to look at Mao and tilted his head.

"Mao-br-rother? What do you v-v-alue most in your l-l-ife?" asked the younger bender of the one polishing his sword again. Mao looked at Chiko and blinked before responding.

"Well I don't know. I guess I value my life, and freedom, as well as the open road and good weather." Chiko nodded, feeling the warmth of the fire in front of him. Mao stopped polishing and spoke again.

"I value you guys as well. I guess now, thinking about it, I care a lot about you and Yomi. Maybe that's why I polish my sword every day and keep it close. Because if I hold on to this I can protect you. You are worth protecting." Chiko grinned at his reply. Mao was very distant person. He didn't outright state that he loved his brothers, like Yomi did. Instead he preferred acts of service and guardianship over words. It was this kind of tangibility that confirmed for Chiko that Mao really did care about him. Even though he teased, mocked and badgered Chiko, he did care about him. His watching and guarding was proof of that.

Falling asleep, Chiko had a series of nightmares. These were the same old fiery, dark nightmares that plagued Chiko, filled with old memories and stale emotions. In all Chiko had an uncomfortable sleep. This of course led to a very grumpy morning for the air child. Cleaning up camp and preparing for the long road to Omashu, Chiko did nothing but scowl and frown. Yomi noticed his grumpy attitude but did not start a fight with him. He noticed that if he let Chiko work it out on his own, the clouds of his mood would disperse and he could be his normal, sunny self. Mao ignored him as well, knowing that restless nights often cause this and that once Chiko relaxed and found peace on the road he would stop being so overcast. However this wasn't going to be a peaceful day.

Chiko was constantly bugging Mao and starting arguments. If he was grumpy he had to make everyone else sour too. Yomi had to correct him dozens of times. It was getting old very fast.

"Chiko for the last time, If I catch you bugging Mao again I will punish you. Stop goading him." Chiko stuck out his tongue and obstinately ignored Yomi's warning as he paused to pester Mao again with more irritating questions and comments. It started from Chiko telling Mao to catch up because he was walking so slow then it became a volley of insults. The negative energy was thick like a cloud of gnats. Mao retorted with something harsh, Chiko snarked back with a witty insult. Despite his stutter he could verbally fence with the best of them and Mao was getting frustrated with Chiko's insolent remarks. He wasn't the little child he could pick on anymore. Chiko was starting to have a bite of his own. Yomi noticed this as well and took to his warning seriously. Stopping, he whirled around and thrust an apple at Chiko and said:

"Eat! And keep silent!" Chiko frowned and ate the apple, glowering at his older brothers. Mao unfortunately didn't enjoy the silence and the attempt of peace. Instead he found it opportune to make a comment on Chiko.

"So you finally clammed up. 'Bout time you knew your place." Chiko frowned and shot back between bites.

"Oh? What's yours? On yy-y-your knees, s-s-servicing?" Mao growled; Chiko was wandering into waters that were rather personal. Yomi couldn't help but sigh. Not only was the weather starting to get cloudy, but the approaching storm was resonating with the continuing fight behind him. He didn't even bother to try to stop it now. Mao laughed harshly.

"What does a virgin know about it, huh? Do you like to watch, pervert?" Chiko choked on a piece of apple. How dare he?! Chiko's cheeks were flushed pink. Mao took it as sign that he was right.

"Ooooh, so it looks like our little bird is a voyeur. Who do you like to watch? Did you spy in the grottos during the festival? Did you like watching the men do it?" Chiko's cheeks deepened in color. He didn't spy on anyone, but the topic and the thoughts of the orgies in the hidden parts of the temple made him uncomfortable. He never thought about his sexuality. It was topic that brought a myriad of emotions and Mao poking at it with his abrasive lewdness wasn't helping.

"Knock it off M-m-mao! I d-d-d-didn't do that. I-…" Chiko stopped talking. This whole conversation was his fault. He regretted bringing it up. Mao watched Chiko droop his head and stare at the ground. Mao didn't bother to continue seeing now that he defeated the smartmouth.

After the argument, Chiko was strangely subdued. Yomi thought it was just because talking about sex was very uncomfortable for him, and every time it was even vaguely mentioned he would get very quiet. Even though Chiko started the topic of sex, Yomi figured that Chiko wasn't expecting it to be twisted on him. In the end, though, they stopped fighting, but now an uncomfortable silence and energy had settled on them. And the storm that was brewing now broke.

Thunder crackled as they walked down a hill. Chiko flinched and covered his ear. Mao noticed the fear in Chiko's eyes but didn't comment on his astraphobia. They continued on like this until Yomi stopped. His heart began to race. Someone was following them! Mao noticed this too and stopped. The airbenders looked around and heard laugher as people emerged from the tall grass that they were wading through. Bandits! Dammit!

"Lookit whut we found, three little monkies wanderin' around the woods. You lost little monkies?" a thick voice asked tauntingly. Chiko cowered behind Yomi as Mao walked up with his hand on his sword. The men laughed. They all looked heavyset and dirty. The leader wore a mask and had a t'ai chi sword on his hip. His mask depicted the tengu. Helooked at the brazen Mao.

"Give up your money and possessions." Two other bandits looked to be earthbenders as they got into their positions. Mao spat on the ground. The three were so into their conversation that they totally didn't notice that they were being hunted. Now caught, the brothers were in big trouble. But Mao wasn't going to give up a single thing.

"We're impoverished travelers. Go raid a merchant carriage," Mao called to the Tengu-masked. The leader drew his sword and pointed at Mao.

"Fah! Don't tell us who steal from! GET HIM!" The bandits rushed forward. Yomi already had his staff out and ordered Chiko to get behind him. The youngest screamed and grabbed the hem of his foster father and buried his face into the robe.

"Yomi! I don't w-w-want to die!" screamed the bender, terrified. Mao unsheathed his jian and did the only thing he knew that he could do: fight back.

The earthbenders threw boulders at Yomi in an attempt crush him and Chiko. Seeing the branch of ash tree he grabbed Chiko's collar and vaulted into the branches as he fended off the bandits with blasts of air from the staff. Chiko did his best with gale-like kicks knocking a few of them down.

Mao was busy with Tengu-mask. The clang of their swords resonated as lightning danced around them and the sound of thunder, like drums, accompanied their bloody and dangerous duet. Mao was fast and parried blows left and right. He kept Tengu-mask on his toes as he used gusts of air to trip him. Thunder rang like an ominous gong as a downpour broke and doused the men. Yomi and Chiko screamed in terror as the men were ramming down the tree trying to knock down the airbenders. Mao heard their desperate and horrified pleas. He could feel the terror as he realized their lives could simply be snuffed out this very night. It awoke a very primal and terrible side of Mao. He didn't parry Tengu-Mask's attacks anymore; instead he became more offensive with his strikes and blows. He was relentless as he continued to fight back with hate, anger and a hungry need to protect what little he had. Tengu-Mask knew something had changed in his opponent. Mao roared a terrible battle cry as he swung his sword in upstroke using a focused edge of air on the jian, severing his opponent's windpipe and jugular. Blood spilled, soaking the ground. The leader was dead; the bandits heard his surprised death-cry and turned to stare into the stormy eyes of a very angry nomad. The bandits felt a deadly gust of air wrap around them. In the blink of an eye Mao descended on each off them in a merciless and precise motion; he killed everyone with well-placed slashes on each of their throats. And that was the end of it. Yomi and Chiko got out of the tree and stared at Mao. Silence passed between them as Chiko stared at the mess and groaned.

"Yomi I don't f-f-feel g-g-ood." Yomi stroked his cheek and quietly said.

"I know, it's ok songbird… it's over" It was raining hard and soaking everyone, and then they heard a strangled sound and a whimper. Yomi looked up to Mao, of all things crying; the elder bender walked over and touched Mao's shoulder but Mao pulled away.

"I don't want your sympathy! I know what I did. I was just so scared and angry and full of rage I just lost it. I am not a killer Yomi, please understand, I am not a killer." Yomi heard another thunder clap and streaks of lightning tore through the air. Yomi felt sorrow, guilt and pity. Mao, normally so brave, stoic and proud was a sobbing heap on the bloody grass. Chiko walked over and looked at Mao and at his mentor and caregiver. He understood that Mao felt so weak now, and so sorry. Chiko walked over and said simply

"I forgive you b-b-rother."

AN: And finally we've finished Part one of Brothers of the Typhoon…yes 1-6 is part one, no don't give that look. Part one was Transformation Part two is Generations. So whats next? Well the Trio meet some waterbenders, get really, really drunk. Chiko has his first kiss, with someone he least expected and the trio find out…that they are not alone. So hopefully I haven't bored out your brains yet D Kudos to my Beta and readers.