Reviews chapt. 16- 17
Kimjuni2 -
I luv the Maiko scène although it looks like a memorie, what i probaly is, but i love it. Can't wait till chapter 18, I want a Maiko reunion ! So please update soon again and I'll be ofcourse R&R, great job !
Yesh, it is a memory ^^ And Zuko won't stop till Mai is back in his arms ;]
gloomy maiko lover -
This chapter was great I just Love this story so much even thou it's so painful to read still so loved this loved the Maikoness can't wait till their is more Maikoness and to know what happens next and intill you update hope you update soon so again awsome,great,wonderful,wonderful job. as always and will always do so I'll be R&R so just loved this :):)
Sorry for painfullness xD ty ^^
Kimjuni2 -
Oeh looks like Mai' still alive and Azula, yeah even evil as always, and what she says was right if that guard guy really did kill Mai, then he better can kill himself before Zuko does. Hopely this is th location where Mai is and that zuko find her. I love your story so please update soon again and I'll be R&R !
Good job
Yes, at least she still alive :D Haha thanks x]
gloomy maiko lover -
I just Love this story you did a wonderful job I can't wait to know what happens next and can't wait till you update hope you update soon and I hope Zuko finds Mai and I just can't wait so again great,awsome,wonderful job as always and always will do so I'll be R&R :) :)
Thank yewww ^^
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Chapter 18
Aang made his way through the corridors and into his room, and immediately started to meditate. He tried to make his mind at ease, but at the moment was impossible. Everybody was preparing, preparing to find Mai. Zuko had explained the two locations she is most likely to be at, and he had chosen to strike the one near a capital. He would take a secret river, one Aang had learned about before, that leads exactly to the capital. Aang shook his head, shaking away distressed thoughts with it. He drew in a big breath, and as he exhaled, slowly made his way into the avatar state. It looked just like where he had been before, in what he thought was a dream. He still hadn't figured out rather if it was a dream or not, but for the sake of his relationship with him and Katara, he hoped it was a dream with all he had.
"Roku?" He called out, as the figure of Roku slowly showed itself. Aang patiently waited for Roku to speak, but he never spoke up.
Aang hesitated, and swallowed, not really knowing how to start. "Roku.. The last time we spoke, or the last time I thought we spoke... You told me, that my mission was only half way through..." He trailed, still waiting for some kind of reaction from Roku. But, he remained still.
"You told me that the world still wasn't at balance,"He hesitated,"That I had to repopulate the air nomads." He mumbled, he knew Roku would hear him. Roku simply nodded.
"It is true, Aang. You must finish your mission, or the world will never be at balance, ever again. You are the only being that can truly restore the balance, the balance of the world, and the balance of the avatar."
"But I don't understand! Even if I do... that, then who is suppose to even teach the next air nomad avatar air bending?" Aang asked, his voice rising with every word.
"If you rise to your task, everything will be solved. Your children will grow older, and you will teach them all you know of air bending. Then, they will continue to grow until they have children of their own, and cary on your legacy." Roku explained, very at ease on the subject. Aang definitely wasn't.
His fingers trembled,"B-but... How much time do I have left?" He asked, barely a whisper.
"You have until you know that you've found the one you truly love, the one you will be with forever." Roku explained, an apologetic smile shaping onto his lips.
Aang had already found that person. He looked down, and Roku waited for the information to sink in. Aang rubbed the back of his neck,"Katara."
--
"Zuko, we have some extra help for our mission," Sokka started walking up to Zuko, who at the moment was completely dazing off. He shook his head, and turned around slowly,"Who?" He asked dryly.
"I sent a messenger hawk to my father, explaining the situation, and he sent a message saying he would bring his finest troops with him." Sokka explained. Zuko nodded, and stared out at the city below. Sokka followed his stare, then gave him an encouraging hand on his shoulder. "We're going to get her back, today." Zuko nodded again, and fought off hopeful thoughts wanting to invade his mind. He couldn't get his hopes up. He knew if he did, the universe would fail him on purpose. Sokka smiled and motioned towards the door, and Zuko followed. Suki was in the kitchen, gathering as much food for the trip as she could manage with out getting odd stares.
Katara pulled her hair back into a simple braid, and started towards Aang's room. "You ready?" She asked before turning the corner. Aang was tying the sash to his familiar robes, and he struggled a nod. She smiled and waited patiently. "Hmm, you're usually an early riser. What took you so long?" Katara started as they made their way back down the hallway.
"Oh, nothing, I was just visiting Roku..." He trailed off. Katara looked at him,"What was it about?" She asked innocently.
Aang shrugged,"It's nothing. R-really, nothing at all." He blabbed nervously. She propped an eyebrow, and continued through the dining room and out of the doors that would lead to the dock.
Ty Lee and Suki were carrying bags onto the deck, and Zuko and Sokka were just a bit ahead of Aang and Katara.
"There's my dad's ship!'' Sokka yelled, running up to the crew.
Zuko waited until the embracing was done, and reintroduced himself to Hakoda.
"I'm very, very sorry about what has happened." Hakoda said politely, giving Zuko a concerned look. Zuko looked down, and simply thanked him with a nod. Hakoda then clapped loudly, catching the crew's attention,"Alright men, follow the coordinates my son has prepared for us, then search for the girl that fits the description we've received." He explained calmly, as Zuko turned to leave.
"Sokka?" He asked, noticing when Sokka wasn't behind him.
"I'm going to stay here, if you don't mind. And, Suki and Ty Lee can go with you...?" Sokka asked hopefully, wanting to tell his father the news.
Zuko looked back towards his ship,"Alright." He said with a sigh, heading back towards his dock. Thoughts of Mai escaped in Zuko's mind. He groaned in irritation. Thinking about her hurt him, but at the moment, she was all he could think about. He wanted her again, he truly loved her. He buried his face in his hands, his teeth clenched. He remembered Mai tugging at his hair through rough, heated kisses, pulling them closer. Her hands soaring freely under his clothing. Goose bumps shot down his arms. He shook them off, and stumbled up the side of his ship. His eyes were slammed closed, and he really had no idea where he was going. He could care less if he fell off of his ship, which if he didn't look where he was going, he was about to do so.
"Whoah there." Aang grunted as he pulled Zuko back from the edge of the ship. His eyes sprung open in realization, though he was still a bit dazed.
"Wh- what..?" Zuko grumbled. He straightened himself up.
"I saw where I was going." He lied, and turned away from Aang. He chuckled,"Alright, sure you did." He played along. He crossed his arms over his chest, and Zuko let his head droop back down. Aang stared at him,"You really love her, don't you?" He asked, seeming to read Zuko's mind. Zuko's eyes widened a bit after this, then he forced a small nod. Aang smiled.
--
Sokka grinned widely out at the open sea, as the ship chased after Zuko's crew. "So, how is Katara?" Hakoda asked from behind him.
Sokka turned around,"She's the same... I guess... But, dad.." Sokka started, but he was cut off from another familiar face.
"Grandpaku!" He yelled excitedly, running over to him for a hug. Pakku rolled his eyes, used to the nickname by now. "Yes, yes it's good to see you too. Now I'm starved, let's go get some food." He said, turning to the small room on the bottom of the deck. They followed, not noticing they were both a bit hungry as well. There was a table and six small chairs. Sokka smiled and sat at the end of the table. Hakoda set a plate of tuna salmon in front of him, and he clapped excitedly. "Yum!" Sokka yelled, taking a bite. Hakoda chuckled, and Pakku shook his head.
About halfway through their meals, Sokka realized this was the perfect time to tell them. He cleared his throat nervously.
"So... I have some news, dad." He started, forcing a smile.
"Mmm?" Hakoda mumbled through a bite.
Sokka picked at his fingernail nervously. "Well, you know.. Suki and I have been going out for a pretty long time now..." He started, and continued, since both of their expressions never faltered. "Well... She's pregnant." He spat out. Hakoda spit out a sip of water he had just taken, and slammed a hand over his mouth. Pakku just stared at him, and slowly shook his head.
"Are you mad? Don't be mad please dad I was jus-''
Hakoda shook his head as he wiped his mouth with a napkin,"No, no, I'm not angry. I certainly am surprised, though." He said with an awkward chuckle.
"I'm only surprised the kid knew what to do with his-"
"BUT I am a bit disappointed in you." Hakoda cut Pakku off, and shot him a look. Pakku ignored him.
Sokka leaned back in his chair, feeling a bit less guilty. "Okay... Good." He said, taking another bite.
--
"Why didn't Sokka come with us?" Suki asked to Ty Lee, but Zuko answered.
"I think he wanted to tell Hakoda about you and him." He said, not moving from his stiff position. He hadn't looked away from the moving water beneath the ship since they began to leave. Katara gave him a concerned look,"It's going to be alright, Zuko. I'm sure she is doing just fine. " She said encouragingly, but it made Zuko feel no different.
"I know she's alright, now... I can't explain it, but I can just tell she is... " He hesitated,"But what if... What if I'm wrong?" He asked in a whisper.
Katara didn't know what to say to him. She honestly had no idea who they were up against. It could be stupid punks, or it could be trained, skilled fighters. She sighed to herself.
"Don't think that way," Was all she could think of.
They were interrupted by Ty Lee bursting into tears. "Don't cry!" Suki yelled in a harsh whisper,"We are trying to make Zuko feel better not even more depressed!" She said through clenched teeth. "I'm sorry but I can't help i-i-it!!!" Ty Lee shouted. Zuko buried his face in his folded arms, muting them out.
"Great, now look what you did!" Suki shouted again, but Ty Lee couldn't hear through her loud cries.
Zuko tried to hold down his longing for Mai, but he couldn't. He wanted to feel her skin against his, and feel nothing else. He wanted to kiss her. Zuko groaned silently to himself, and his hands curled into fists as memories flashed through his head. He remembered the way they could be themselves around each other. He remembered seeing Mai's completely exposed body for the first time, and he remembered a talk he had with her, not to long ago.
"I don't want you staying out so late." Zuko complained, and Mai rolled her eyes.
"I'm not two, Zuko. I can take care of myself." She said, placing a reassuring hand on his cheek.
"I didn't know any of the guys at that party. And more than half of them were staring at you." He said, turning on his side. Mai smiled and wrapped his arms around him, nibbling on his ear. Shivers ran down his spine. "I wasn't staring at them." She whispered.
"But, you were alone with them! What if they got the wrong idea, or tried to take advantage of you?" Zuko asked turning back to face her.
"Then I'd beat them up." She said sarcastically. Zuko didn't catch it.
"What if they were stronger than you?" He challenged.
"They weren't stro-"
Zuko interrupted her by hurling himself on top of her, and pressed her hands above the bed post. Mai writhed under him, trying to free herself, then stared at him, realizing what he was doing. She groaned,"I let you do that." His mouth set in a deep line.
"Sure you did." He rolled his eyes and lay back beside her.
This memory just made Zuko feel even more paranoid. Despite Mai's talent with daggers, she was still a girl. A very beautiful one, at that. Which didn't help. His eyes slammed shut. Nothing like that happened to her his head repeated over and over. He looked out towards the sea, as the capital became more and more clear.