I Need To Find Myself
Song Inspired: Zelda Ocarina of Time Soundtrack (ORCHESTRATED)- Ganon
(Absolutely love the orchestrated version; so epic)
This is a monster of a chapter, benching in at over 8700 words; if you have the patience to read on then I tip my hat to you appreciatively.
The following day approached; and soon enough, nightfall was beginning to set in. The three women found themselves wandering around the plaza checking out the remaining stores and markets they have failed to reach in the past couple of days they've been in the Fire Nation.
"Well, this is the last day" said Toph as she stretched her arms into the air, "Man, nothing exciting's happened since we've been here. I guess the Fire Nation isn't as hot as it claims itself to be." finished Toph as she crossed her arms.
Katara shot Toph a compliant look, "Well, that much is true, but we did have fun the past couple of days now did we?" asked Katara
Toph chuckled, "Yeah, we did have fun, even if we did see Aang and his-"Toph cut her conversation short, for she began to feel the small seismic waves from Katara, sensing her discomfort rippling through the ground.
Katara felt somberness creeping up at the thought of what happened several days ago, but fought it; for she didn't want to show her friends any sense of weakness over the whole debacle, "That's alright Toph, I'm fine now, really I am." replied Katara as she forced a smile.
Toph smiled compliantly, "Oh, alright then….by the way I was going to say 'loosie goose', just in case you were wondering." explained Toph as she grinned to her water bending friend.
Katara and Suki laughed at the thought of Aang's new girlfriend being named 'loosie goose'; suddenly, Katara realized something that made her stop in her tracks, "Hey wait a minute; we haven't seen Lee yet. I really want you guys to meet him before we leave." mentioned Katara.
Toph and Suki exchanged glances, as if using mental Morse code, "Alright, let's meet this guy my friend's constantly raving about." said Suki cheerfully as she nudged Katara on her shoulder.
Katara smiled and gestured her friends to follow her out of the Main Plaza and into the outer skirts of the village. They continued to walk, the pathways getting narrower as they got closer to their destination, until finally, they reached a very small dead end, 5 houses surrounding the round cul-de-sac.
Katara sighed longingly as she approached a small, red house with black shutters and a clay pot filled with lilies and daisies on its porch, "We're here." said Katara.
Toph raised her eyebrow as she crossed her arms, "Wait a minute, how do you know he lives here?" asked Toph slyly.
Katara then turned from her focus on the house in front of her and faced Toph, "We do deliver letters to each other you know, so obviously I know his address." said Katara in as-a-matter-of-fact attitude.
Toph humphed, "Whatever you say Sugarqueen." said Toph as she relaxed her arms.
Suki rolled her eyes at the two as Katara approached the door. She took a deep breath as she nervously balled her fist and began to knock, immediately backing away from the door so as to give Lee space to come out. They waited patiently until finally, the door opened. A young man came out of the house, a man that Katara immediately recognized.
The young man looked at Katara strangely, "Katara? Katara is that you?" said Lee as he rubbed his eyes, making sure his mind wasn't playing tricks on him.
Katara smiled joyfully as she ran into her lover's embrace, Lee tightly holding her in his arms as if she were to somehow float away.
"Oh man, I've missed you so much." said Lee as his hands gently flowed on her curved, finally landing on the bottom curve of her back, "What are you doing here?" asked Lee excitedly.
Katara's face turned somber, "Is this a bad time?" asked Katara as her hands traveled to Lee's shoulders.
Lee chuckled, "No, not at all, I'm just curious" said Lee as he pulled Katara closer into their embrace, landing his lips onto Katara's, merging into a deep, passionate kiss.
Toph stared blankly on the ground, sensing the moment that Katara was having with Lee, "Blegh, get a room." muttered Toph to herself as she placed her hands in her pocket.
Suki squint her eyes suspiciously; somewhat feeling uncomfortable with what she was witnessing, "Wow, seeing Katara kissing someone else really delivers the reality that she and Aang are over." thought Suki to herself as she observed the lovers's embrace come undone.
Katara gazed lovingly into Lee's eyes, "My friends and I are here in the Fire Nation searching for dresses, you know, for the dance in a couple of months. I just stopped by so that you can meet them personally." explained Katara as she gestured to her friends standing in the middle of the cul-de-sac behind her.
"This is Toph" said Katara as she gestured her hand to Toph.
Toph was busy flicking small stones that happened to get stuck in between her toes, "Hey, how ya doin?" said Toph as she lightly waved her hand to the young man standing on top of his stoop.
Katara gave Toph a slightly aggressive expression, but immediately let it go as she turned to lock eyes with Lee, causing Katara to slightly shiver. "uh…and this is Suki" mentioned Katara as she gestured to her sister-in-law to be.
Suki bowed her head respectfully, "Pleasure to meet your acquaintance" said Suki as she raised her head politely.
Lee smiled interestingly, "Yes, yes Katara has mentioned so much about you guys" continued Lee as he faced Toph, "You see with your feet, which by the way I think is just fantastic" continued Lee as he then turned to face Suki, "And you were a Kioshi Warrior. Fascinating." mentioned Lee as he opened his arms delightfully.
Suki crossed her arms, "Wow, I really like this guy" mentioned Suki proudly.
Toph then intervened, "Yeah Katara, he's really a catch, and not bad looking either. Of course, not as good looking as Twinkletoes, but hey, he's not MY boyfriend." finished Toph, all eyes now gawking at her in confusion.
Lee raised his eyebrow, "Twinkletoes?" asked Lee suspiciously, "What's a 'Twinkletoes'?" asked Lee curiously.
Katara laughed nervously as Suki roughly shoved Toph on the shoulder with her fist, even surprising Toph, "What? I'm only stating the obvious." asked Toph obliviously.
There was silence for several moments between the four; soon after, Lee decided to speak.
"So, do you guys want to come in?" asked Lee as he kindly gestured to the doorway of his home.
"Well, actually…" interceded Suki as she ran towards Katara, "We were going to head back to the inn; it's been a long day" nudged Suki to Katara, insinuating that she stay the night with her beau.
Katara didn't quite understand at first, until Suki forcefully gestured her eyes into the house, her lips reading, "Go with him". Katara immediately understood; her cheeks slightly blushing at the thought of spending the rest of her stay with Lee.
Suki lightly grinned as she ran back to Toph, approaching her ear as she whispered the 'plan' to her blind friend. Toph's face changed from slight intrigue to surprise as she chuckled along with Suki like little schoolgirls, "Alright, we'll leave you two alone." yelled Toph ignorantly as she waved goodbye to the two lovers. This action led to a corrective shove in the arm by Suki; Toph rubbing her arm in slight pain, "What is with you and your obsession with shoving me?" asked Toph as she finished rubbing her arm. Suki sighed to the powerful earth bender, "Just…come on!" insisted Suki as she pulled Toph into the opposite direction, both running away until finally, they disappeared from sight.
Katara and Lee looked at each other, perplexed by her friend's actions. Finally they came to the realization that they were alone; Katara's face turned from a slight blush to a near crimson flush, while Lee rubbed the back of his head, his own cheeks tinted red. Katara looked away, so as not to show Lee her flush, but Lee turned her around, smiling at her caringly as he gently passed his thumb over her warm cheek. Katara smiled comfortingly as he gestured her to come inside; she obliged as they entered the house, closing the door behind them.
Katara entered the home, taking notice of the impeccable works of art that hung all over the walls, along with a blank canvas that stood on the far corner of the room; charcoal, clay, graphite pencils, brushes, and paint all surrounded that small area.
Katara lightly gasped in awe, "Lee; I didn't know you painted." mentioned Katara as she continued to behold the small gallery that was Lee's home..
Lee lightly chuckled, "Well, it's not something I like to talk about; I don't think my artwork is anything special really." said Lee bashfully as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Katara approached one painting in particular that caught her attention, observing the lascivious figure of a woman, barely draped in what seemed to be a banner of the Earth Kingdom. "Wow" thought Katara to herself as she continued to admire the young woman's shapes and curves, the color and shapes, and finally, her seductive expression.
Lee approached Katara, positioning himself next to her as he placed his hands behind his back, "This painting in particular was a still-life." continued Lee, "I went with a couple of friends to a painting class not too long ago; all of us painted her, and although I didn't know her, it felt as though I was painting her soul rather than just her physical body."
Katara turned admirably to face Lee, "It's very beautiful." mentioned Katara.
Lee smiled, "I put this painting up because it reminded me of the vulnerability that we all humans carry, and yet, how beautiful that vulnerability can be." explained Lee as he gazed deeply into Katara's eyes.
Katara couldn't help but gaze back, lovingly, as though she really felt she found the perfect guy, "Perfect, loving, what more can a girl ask for?" thought Katara to herself as she gently approached him, resting her arms on his shoulders as her lips landed on his.
Their kiss began to turn ferocious; Lee's tongue slipped inside of Katara's mouth as she released a slight moan, his arms moving down into the small of her back, gently pressing his body into hers. Katara's hand then traveled to the back of his head, lightly grabbing his dark hair as she pressed harder into his mouth. Lee trembled as Katara's tongue danced with his in complete harmony, causing his member to stiffen inside his trousers. Without rational thought, he pulled Katara closer, wanting her to feel his desire for her as his hand moved a little lower into one of her bottom cheeks. Katara moaned at the gesture, and immediately felt the denseness contained inside Lee's pants.
Katara immediately turned her head away from Lee, reluctant to continue further in this moment of passion, fearing that this wasn't the right time to do this. Lee immediately sensed Katara's hesitation, and smiled as he turned her face to him, "We don't have to do this if you don't want to Katara." whispered Lee dreamily to the young water bender as he proceeded to release his grip on her. Katara felt incredibly guilty for having put Lee in the 'position' he was in, "Lee, I'm really sorry; it's just that-"
Lee immediately cut Katara off "I know; It's not the right time." finished Lee devotedly as he continued to generously smile at the beauty before him, "Katara, I won't ever rush you to do something that you don't want to do. I will wait for you until you're ready." finished Lee as he softly passed the back of his hand over her cheek.
Katara couldn't be more thankful; she immediately dove into his arms to show him how much she appreciates his chivalry, pecking him on the cheek as they embraced in each other's arms. Lee immediately ended the embrace, "How about I show you a bit of my painting skills?" asked Lee cunningly as he placed his fists on his waist.
Katara smiled, "Wow, I would love that." said Katara as they both walked towards the blank canvas that stood in the corner of the room; Lee taking a seat as he picked up a pencil and began to sketch while Katara spectated lovingly at Lee's dexterous sketching skills.
It's been a long and exhausting voyage for the young Fire Nation woman; she has been traveling for days with very little human contact, feeling as if she was on the verge of unraveling. She shielded herself from the small drips of rain that fell from above with her long, dark cloak; she looked up to the gray clouds, letting the drops fall into her hood as they lightly splashed on the bit of exposed neck. She then rested her head on her knees, grabbing onto her calves as if by dear life. Her mind was pulling her into opposite directions, "Should I do this? What if I'm caught, or worse, executed?" asked Onji to herself as she fidgeted with the string that was connected to her travel bags. She shut her eyes, somehow trying to escape mentally from what she was intending to have carry out, taking in deep breaths to try to prevent herself from heaving. The anxiety was crawling through her like an infinite amount of arachnids trying to nestle under her skin; she tried to fight it, but to no avail. She felt her anxiousness taking over her, watching and feeling the wretched symptoms take over her organs; her heart began to pound exasperatedly as trickles of sweat followed suit, traveling down her fair skin. Trouble breathing soon followed suit as she felt her esophagus somehow close in on itself, making air traveling in and out her lungs almost impossible. Her eyes widened frightfully as she grasped her chest; on the brink of panicking, trying to convince herself from backing out of her plan. Her intense emotions were about to take over, until she immediately stopped herself looking determinedly to the ocean in front of her, "No….No….I must keep going." thought Onji to herself, "I'm doing this for us Aang, you and me, our children, and our descendants." thought Onji cryptically, letting go of the grip she had on her chest as she relaxed. She rose from the small area she occupied on the main deck with bag in hand and began to walk towards the deckhouse of the ship; her eyes squint as she tried to get a better look as to what was in front of the ship. She raised her hand, positioning it similar to a sailor's salute above her forehead, "Ugh, too much fog." said Onji quietly to herself as she squinted her eyes tighter, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of any sign of land, until a loud voice interrupted her thoughts, causing her to jump in a spurt of intense fear.
"APPROACHING EARTH KINGDOM LAND IN 15 MINUTES; I REPEAT, APPROACHING EARTH KINGDOM LAND IN 15 MINUTES." yelled the Captain from inside the deckhouse.
Onji took in a couple of deep breaths, trying to relax herself from the unexpected call, "It's alright, it's just the captain; no big deal." said Onji to herself, taking in one final deep breath as she picked up her bag from the ground. She began to look around the deck; scouring for any sign of anyone she thought would know the runarounds of the Earth Kingdom, until she spotted a perky teenager walking to the exit of the ship. She analyzed her, taking notice of the compass, map, and vast amount of resources she contained wrapped around her own travel bag; Onji thought to herself, "She seems to know her way around. I'll ask her." thought Onji to herself as she hastened towards the cheery teenager. Onji immediately walked towards her, grabbing her shoulder as she was about to disembark from the ship. The teenager stopped in her tracks and turned to face the person who stopped her, "Can I help you?" asked the joyful teenager as she grinned at Onji, her eyes so closed together that it was difficult to get a view of her irises.
Onji was taken aback by the young lady's boldness, trying to interpret her physical appearance, "Hmm…casual clothing, flat shoes, hair pulled back tightly, yes yes, she's definitely a traveler. Good job Onji." thought Onji to herself; she then continued, "He-Hello; I'm so sorry to have stopped you. You must be in a hurry." said a disheartened Onji.
The young teenager grinned even harder, "No worries! None at all." said the young teenager cheerfully.
Onji raised her eyebrow, "Geez, this one must've flown out of the coop." thought Onji to herself, almost intimidated by the person before her.
The girl's face turned to sudden surprise, "Oh, I almost forgot!" yelped the young teenager; immediately, she bent down to bow in respect. "My name is Ai. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Miss….uh…." Ai hesitated, for she didn't receive a name from the stranger who halted her from going ashore.
Onji giggled, for the first time in days, and raised the young girl's chin up delicately to face her, "Ai, please arise for I am no one of importance." suggested Onji kindly.
Ai immediately got up, feeling a wave of relief overcome her, "Whooo, that's good!" continued Ai as her expression turned back to the familiar cheerfulness that Onji first encountered.
Onji chuckled, "My name is Onji; forgive me for having stopped you, but I noticed you from the other side of the dock. You seem to be someone who knows their way around the Earth Kingdom, and I was wondering if you can assist me in my search for a village that resides in this land?" asked Onji.
Ai hesitated, but even in her hesitation, her eyes were still just about closed, "Hmm…well, I was going to just wander around the land" mentioned Ai quietly, turning her back to Onji as she placed her thumb and index finger around her chin, her free arm crossed and locked to her upper waist.
Onji was starting to get nervous; she began to think of all the possible things that can happen to her if she somehow got lost in the vast wilderness that was the Earth Kingdom, "Please please please say yes…" thought Onji to herself as she gripped her hands together worryingly, somehow believing that she can subconsciously plead to the young girl, who was still contemplating her decision.
Ai relaxed her hands, her back still turned to her needy stranger, "Well, I GUESS I CAN HELP YOU OUT!" yelled Ai excitably, catching the attention of the few passengers left on the ship.
Onji looked around embarrassingly, a disheartened chuckle escaping her forced grin, "Thank you very much." said Onji, pulling her hood even lower to her face as she and her new fellow traveled disembarked the ship. The two young women walked away from the dock and finally stopped by a steep and rocky gorge, void of any water for miles.
Onji wiped the sweat from her forehead as she took a seat by the edge of the magnificent gorge, "Man it's hot." said Onji to herself as she proceeded to wipe off the sweat from her brow.
Ai looked on curiously as she took a seat next to the beautiful young Fire Nation woman, "Maybe you should take off that long, black robe; then you won't feel so hot." said Ai nonchalantly, ruffling through her bag.
Onji looked on questionably as she observed her guide's actions.
Ai pulled out a hollow, aged gourde out of her bag, it's exterior wrapped in bandages as if it's been through a thousand battles, "Thirsty?" asked Ai perkily as she offered the gourde to Onji.
Onji nodded as she waved her left hand, "No thank you." answered Onji pleasantly.
Ai's grin never changed, almost as if it's been plastered over her face with an immovable substance, "No problem." mentioned Ai as she tucked her gourde back in her travel bag, "Sooo, where do you need to go Miss Onji?" asked the young teenager brightly.
Onji looked down to the ground below her feet, "I need to get to a village called Dacitan." said Onji, almost fearing the very name of the village more than the village itself.
Ai's mouth rounded as if trying to calculate the name of Dacitan with her mind, her eyes still tightly shut, "Ooooohhh yes I know that place; we're not very far from the village of Dacitan you know." mentioned Ai as she scratched her arm uncaringly.
Onji's troubled look turned jubilant, "Really? Where exactly?" asked Onji considerately, determined to get moving to her destination.
Ai giggled, "Why, it's right over there." mentioned Ai as she pointed west to a small village, visible to the naked eye.
Onji felt almost silly for having even asked for assistance in traveling to a village that was conveniently located by the harbor she disembarked from, and blushed in embarrassment.
Ai continued to giggle, "Don't worry, not a lot of people know where many villages are located around here, especially outsiders; no need to feel ashamed or anything." said Ai perkily as she lightly pat Onji on the back.
Onji felt comforted by the young teenager, who although she couldn't make out her eyes by her constant squinting, knew she was very beautiful in her own right, both inside and out, "Thank you so much Ai; really it's been a pleasure receiving your help." finished Onji calmly as the light breeze blew the few free strands of hair from her cloak, levitating them as they danced in the air.
Ai gave a questionable look, then chuckled, "You know, I'm not going to just leave you on your journey; I'm coming with you." mentioned Ai.
Onji's calm expression soon turned sinister, "No, no please, you've helped me enough." continued Onji as she waved her hands, "This is a journey that I must make alone. I just didn't think I could reach a remote village without assistance" continued Onji, her expression turned into that of dismay, "But, seeing as the village isn't totally remote, I can continue on alone." finished Onji as she clapped her hands together, her chin bending down to her chest.
Ai got up, bag in hand, "Nonsense. I'm going with you." said Ai determinedly, placing her free hand on her waist, "Now come on, nightfall will set in soon, and you want to get there today right?" mentioned Ai as she lost her grip from her waist, offering her hand to the down-in-the-dumps Onji with a cheerful smile.
Onji smiled half-heartedly, then thought to herself, "I can't be suspicious; If I don't let her come with me, she might think that something is up" thought Onji to herself as Ai continued to smile cheerfully at her, her hand still waiting for Onji's in union, " And she seems quite attached to the hip with me as well. I might as well let her come with me. Then I'll ditch her in the last second, so she doesn't risk getting hurt. The perfect plan." finished Onji thinking to herself. She then took a deep breath, smiling compliantly as she lent her hand to Ai.
Ai's grin turned deep as she raised the young Fire Nation woman from her shriveled stature, "Let's be off then" said Ai, gesturing for Onji to follow her on their way to the small village of Dacitan.
Night had fallen as Aang and Appa continued to fly towards their destination; and after a long journey, they finally made it to the Eastern Temple. Aang hovered over the illustrious ruins on Appa as he looked for a decent place to land.
Aang squint his eyes to try and get a better look at the ruins below, "Man, I can never get sick of this place." thought Aang to himself as he took in the breathtaking scenery. Aang closed his eyes and raised his chin as the wind blew through his face, inhaling the air around him, "Aaaaahhhh…" exhaled Aang as he dreamily opened his eyes, spotting a clearing up ahead.
"Perfect." thought Aang to himself, "Appa, yip yip!" yelled Aang, signaling the Bison to approach the small clearing up ahead; Appa groaning in compliance as they continued to fly towards it. When they reached the clearing, Aang flew off the Bison, admiring the scenery; and wishing it were still buzzing with the life it once harbored, "sigh, to think Appa, that I was on the verge of being sent to train here before I ran away." thought Aang remorsefully as he rubbed his Bison's nose. Appa groaned as if he understood Aang's quarrel; smiling thankfully to his bison as he took out a giant piece of fruit from his travel bag, "Here buddy; I promise this time I won't be long." finished Aang as he took off in search for the guru that assisted him in unlocking his chakras in a time of great conflict, spreading his glider as he took to the air. He searched around, desperately hoping that Pathik didn't just leave after the war, but to his astonishment, spotted just the person he was looking for down below, legs cris-crossed on top of one of the abandoned courts. Aang descended down, and with one swoop landed gracefully to face the man he's been in search of for days; just to find him in a meditative state, with a jar filled with what Aang assumed to be onion banana juice sitting right next to him. Aang smiled caringly at the old guru as he spun his glider back to its staff position; he then crossed his legs as he gently landed on the ground, intent on meditating himself until the guru snapped out of his trance as he peacefully closed his eyes, until he was interrupted by the man he was about to patiently wait for.
"I've been patiently waiting for you, young Avatar." mentioned Guru Pathik, opening one of his eyes to see the young Avatar in a meditative stance before him.
Aang snapped his eyes wide open in surprise, but was pleased that the Guru happened to conveniently notice him; After all, he didn't want to keep Onji waiting back in the Fire Nation. Aang smiled partially at the old Guru, "I was going to wait for you to finish meditating." said Aang, still in his crossed stance.
Pathik opened his other eye, both focused on Aang, "Aaah, but as you can clearly see, looks can be deceiving." said Pathik as he lightly chuckled.
Aang laughed compliantly at the old Guru, eager to voice out his concerns, but just as he was about to speak, Guru Pathik interrupted him.
"I know why you're here." said Pathik sternly.
Aang was taken aback by Pathik's boldness, and immediately intervened, "So….you know about….you know…..?" asked Aang bashfully.
Pathik smiled kindly at the young Avatar, "This is something that you're incredibly worried about isn't it?" asked a concerned Pathik.
Aang closed his eyes as he slightly bowed his head, "Yes; it's not that I'm afraid of, you know, doing it, it's just that…..ugh I don't know…." said a baffled Aang.
Pathik gave Aang a questionable look, "Aang, a physical union is nothing to fear; it's a completely natural human experience in which two people who truly love each other practice in unison." explained Pathik as he went to reach for his jar of onion banana juice, "But," said Pathik as he took a sip of his exotic concoction, "I don't think this is the reason why you're really here?" asked Pathik cryptically as he raised his eyebrow.
Aang raised his head and faced Pathik, shocked by his insinuation, "I just, don't want to rush into this…but I'm being forced, by the Leaders of the Nations, into doing this…" explained Aang painfully.
Pathik quickly intervened, "This has to do with this new girl in your life?" asked Pathik.
Aang raised his eyebrow, "How did you know about her?" asked Aang.
Pathik chuckled lightly, "I don't need to know Avatar; it's written, all over your face." answered Pathik calmly, "See….right there, on the right side of your cheek." pointed Pathik as he lightly grinned.
Aang looked dumbfounded at the Guru as he lightly placed his hand on the cheek Pathik pointed to.
Pathik's light grin turned serious, "Also, it is my duty to help the Avatar with matters concerning the World." finished Pathik proudly.
Aang relaxed himself as he continued to seek answers, "I feel like I'm losing my mind; this mission is constantly playing inside my head. I care about her, really I do, but I don't know if I should rush into this with her, especially not this soon into our relationship. Especially since Katara and I never…." Aang hesitated, not wanting to delve deeper into that specific topic.
Pathik interceded, "Aang, you can't let your past dictate the present." explained Pathik as he roughly placed his fist on his right thigh, Aang listening intently as he turned his head in disappointment. Guru Pathik continued on as he placed his jar back to his side, "What is happening in your life now is something that I can easily lead you to answer, but I will not do such a thing, for it intervenes with free will when it comes to aspects of the heart; Even if you are the Avatar, I cannot help you in this matter." mentioned the Guru as his gaze focused on Aang, "Your heart will lead you to the answer, when the time is right; that is all I will say." finished Pathik, allowing Aang to take in his parable.
Aang closed his eyes, only to open them momentarily with his chin up high, "I know the answer; and that answer is Onji." declared Aang fiercely and proudly.
Pathik looked at the young Avatar questionably, "This is the woman that will bear your child? The woman that you will merge with to become one? Keep in mind Aang, you are the Avatar, and whomever the Avatar Spirit chooses to infuse is the one who truly holds your heart, thus making it a serious matter not just for you, but for the world if she doesn't conceive. Are you sure it is her?" asked the Guru enigmatically and desperately as he raised his brow.
Aang got up from his meditative stance, "Yes, I know it's her; I can feel it." answered Aang eagerly.
Guru Pathik sighed and raised his shoulders, "Aang, you sound incredibly confused." continued Pathik as he raised himself from his meditative stance to meet Aang.
Aang looked baffled at the Guru, feeling almost insulted by the fact that Pathik was questioning his own feelings, but didn't lose his cool; for he knew that the Guru meant well and only had his best interest, as well as the world's, at heart.
Pathik walked towards the young Avatar, placing his hand on the young man's shoulder. "Here is my wisdom for you young Avatar, promise me that you won't delve into this matter just yet. Give yourself the time to figure things out, and you'll see that by the end of next year, the woman you love will give you the child the world so desperately needs." finished the Guru ambiguously.
Aang lit up excitedly. The thought of Onji being the one to bear him a child made all of his fear and doubt dissipate, but he still didn't want to rush it just yet. He wanted to do this at the right time; now he realized what Guru Pathik was trying to explain to him, "Don't rush it…" thought Aang to himself as he smiled determinedly to the old Guru before him.
"Thank you Guru Pathik; I will take your advice, and wait for the right time." said Aang appreciatively as he popped open his glider, taking to the air as if the gravity around him somehow reversed on itself.
Aang waved to the old Guru as the shadow of night finally engulfed the small area the Guru resides in, causing him to disappear from Aang's sight as he flew back to his trusting bison companion. On his way back, Aang decided to make a pit stop to a small area he noticed earlier while he was on his way to see the Guru, descending fancifully through the clouds and finally landing to the fertile ground below his feet. He picked up a few berries, large and small, and put it in his deep pockets, "Appa'll love this, fresh from the ground." said Aang cheerfully to himself as he continued stuff his pockets. When his pockets finally reached to its maximum capacity, he spread his glider open, once again, taking to the air to meet his companion. As he continued to glide, he noticed his giant, fluffy friend below, sleeping peacefully in the middle of the court where they last saw each other; Aang descended, observing Appa as he deeply breathed in the sultry smell of the vacant temple, "I can't wake him up." thought Aang to himself as he rubbed the giant bison's head, "We'll leave in the morning, buddy." said Aang quietly as he emptied his pockets of all of the berries he collected earlier for his reliable animal friend, placing them next to him as he nestled comfortably next to him.
As night began to fall, the two young women proceeded to walk towards the village, conversation entertaining them along the way.
"So, this person that you're looking for, is it a man or a woman?" asked Ai.
Onji looked away with a scared look on her face, "Woman." said Onji.
"And this person, how did you know that 'she' was here?" asked Ai curiously.
"Well I didn't; someone told me she was here, so I followed his instruction and traveled all the way from the Fire Nation to meet her." mentioned Onji, struggling to hold her bag up, "Man, was I really planning on traveling potentially a vast amount of miles with this heavy thing?" thought Onji to herself as sweat continued to travel down her neck.
Ai was shocked, "The Fire Nation huh? Wow, that's pretty awesome; so this whole thing was premeditated huh?" asked Ai.
Onji turned her head to face the village closing in, "Yes." continued Onji, "I didn't know exactly where she would be, so I figured that buying tickets to the other Nations would be a safe bet in being prepared for wherever my journey would take me." finished Onji.
Ai clapped her hands together continuously and excitedly, "OOOO CAN I HAVE YOUR OTHER TICKETS THEN?" begged Ai as she grabbed her hands.
Onji giggled, "Sure, you can have my tickets to every Nation, from the most remote to the most densely populated." said Onji cheerfully as she rummaged through her pockets. She then took out several Tickets that led to the Southern, Northern, Western, and Eastern Air Temples, Northern Water Tribe and Southern Water Tribe.
Ai's eyes still squint, she marveled at the tickets that were placed on her hand, gawking at what she herself considered to be just as valuable as gold, "WOW, THANK YOU SO MUCH!" exclaimed Ai thankfully as she tightly held on to the tickets Onji gave her. Just as Ai was about to put her prized tickets in her pockets, she was interrupted by Onji.
"We're here." said Onji.
Both Onji and Ai glanced at the primitive looking village that was Dacitan. Onji observed the immense amount of straw and sticks that embellished the rooftops of every home, awing at its simple beauty as she and Ai continued to enter past the entrance to the small village., "Everyone seems to be in their homes…" said Onji quietly as her eyes skimmed through the desolate village. Ai spotted a stone well located in the middle of the village, "Ahhh, water…" said Ai to herself as she rummaged her bag for her beaten gourde. As Ai took her gourde out of her travel bag, she ran towards the well, eager to fill her container to its maximum capacity for further travel. As Onji's eyes followed Ai to the well, she noticed another figure there, a woman, also gathering water from the same well. As Ai filled her container absentmindedly, Onji squinted her eyes to get a better look at the figure next to her fellow traveler, approaching both her and the stranger closer and closer, eager to get a better view.
Onji immediately stopped halfway, petrified, realizing that the woman gathering water from the well was indeed the woman she had been looking for, the woman she had made such a long and mentally tumultuous journey to meet. Onji gasped as she dropped her bags to the ground. "I can't believe it; it actually worked. She's really here." thought Onji to herself as she slightly gasped, placing her hand over her mouth so as not to attract attention to herself. Soon after, the woman whom her focus had attached itself to departed from the well, making her way back to a small, dark passage behind the main huts. Onji became desperate; she couldn't let her get away, so she ran towards Ai to let her know of her plan.
Onji grabbed Ai's shoulder, twisting her around as she faced those squinty eyes she has become so familiar with, "Listen, Ai, I don't have much time so I'm going to say this quick." said Onji hastily.
Ai became a bit frightened, "What? What's wrong" asked Ai as she tightened a cork into the small hole in the gourde.
Onji became more hostile as she realized that the woman would soon disappear from her sight if she didn't act quickly, "Listen to me Ai; whatever you do, don't follow me, for any reason. Do you understand?" asked Onji cryptically.
Ai immediately gave a questionable look to Onji, "Uh….Sure!" said Ai agreeably as she placed her gourde inside of her bag.
Onji sighed in relief, "Good, now I'm going to go now, and remember, don't follow me." mentioned Onji quietly as she placed her other hand on Ai's shoulder.
Ai nodded compliantly, leaving Onji free to run into the dark pathway in which the woman disappeared into. Thankfully, she didn't get very far until she caught sight of the slick figure walking into the depths of the outer skirts of the small village, reaching a small hut made out of wood. Onji looked on anxiously as she tip toed to get a closer look of the woman entering the small hut.
As soon as the woman closed the door behind her, Onji hastily entered the hut, bursting in with great excitement and dread, only to find the woman sitting on a rocking chair on the corner of the hut's living room.
"I thought you were following me." said Azula slyly, her arms comfortably crossed under each other as she menacingly glared at the stranger before her.
Onji looked on in pure fear at the woman sitting in front of her, as if she were looking directly into the eye of a demon. As much as Onji tried, she failed to utter a single word.
Azula looked at her impatiently, "Well? State your business!" demanded Azula.
Onji jumped slightly at Azula's tone of voice, gulping as she tried to put all of her words together, "I know who you are, but before you make quick judgment, I am not here to try and stop you in any way." cleared Onji.
Azula crossed her legs, almost intrigued by the woman in front of her, "How do you know who I am?" asked Azula terrifyingly.
Onji gulped, "W-who could forget the crowned princess of the Fire Nation?" said Onji nervously as she fidgeted her fingers.
Azula squinted her eyes confidently, "Go on." said Azula instructively.
Onji slightly shivered, almost in relief, "Azula, I am in need of a request to be carried out; I figured you were the best for the job." declared Onji almost proudly.
Azula laughed, "Pfft, do you really think that I, Azula, would just do a job for you, a mere, peasant, all willy nilly as if I was some sort of low class civilian?" boasted Azula as she placed her hand on her chest proudly.
Onji didn't know what to say; she didn't want to push the issue further for fear of agitating the former Fire Nation princess. She took in a deep breath, exhaling fearfully as she decided to immediately state her ply, the reason why she came such a long way to find her, the reason her anxiety almost took over her rational thought throughout her entire journey.
"I need you to end someone's life."
Azula laughed, "You mean 'murder' my dear civilian." as she cackled loudly over the request that's been asked of her.
Onji looked on discouragingly as Azula continued to make a mockery of her and her so called 'request'.
Azula calmed down from her laughter, "Yes yes yes and I suppose you're going to pay me for this right?" asked Azula as she continued to ridicule Onji, "And who is this person that you want me to kill?" asked Azula as she continued to laugh at what she considered to be a ridiculous request.
Onji took off her cloak, "It's a woman that you're familiar with." stated Onji, "A woman we both have strife with." declared Onji.
Azula looked at her curiously, "I'm listening." said Azula menacingly.
Onji's hands began to tremble, so she immediately tucked them inside her cloak pockets, "The same woman that defeated you, that ended your reality of becoming Fire Lord, and the same woman who stands in the way of my happiness with the man I love." declared Onji as she took her hand out of her pocket, forming a fist as she swatted the air.
Azula's eyes shot wide, as if all of her answers have piled themselves into one on top of her; she grinned maniacally, "This is such a strange coincidence, for she is the one I've been looking for since my escape." chuckled Azula, "Yes, yes this is all playing out beautifully." mentioned an ecstatic Azula as she jumped out of her chair, "Tell me, what is her name?" asked Azula, needing reassurance from the person asking of her such a savoring request.
Onji's fear soon turned into drive, "Katara." mentioned Onji as she proceeded to walk closer to the former princess, and fellow prisoner.
Azula's face began to gleam, "Yes, this is the opportunity I've been waiting for!" yelled Azula insanely as blue fire emitted from her frail looking hands.
Onji was immediately intimidated by the display of awesome power before her, watching the blue flames dance viciously in each of Azula's hands as her looked on blankly into nothingness. She cowered by the door, almost trying to prepare herself to run, until finally, Azula's flames dissipated and Azula's power trip ended.
Azula took a seat back to her rocking chair, "So, you're telling me you know exactly where she is?" asked Azula as she played with her fingernails.
Onji looked on frightfully, "Well, there's a problem with that theory." mentioned a doubtful Onji, her face turning away from the former Fire Nation Princess.
Azula's 'gleeful' behavior soon turned sour; for she realized that no only a common stranger happened to know who she is, but offered her an empty proposal. Azula soon became livid, "What!" screamed Azula with voracity, "You're telling me to do a favor for YOU and you don't even know where she is!" yelled Azula frustratingly.
Onji dreadfully cowered back, immediately trying to remedy the situation, "Forgive me Azula, but it's just that I don't know where exactly she resides." mentioned a frightened Onji.
Azula's blood was boiling with rage, "I might as well continue my search the way I have been doing so since my escape!" screamed Azula.
Onji quickly intervened, "No no no! You must lay low, for I know of a time where she will reside in in the future." mentioned Onji cunningly.
Azula raised her eyebrow in curiousness, "Continue." said Azula frustratingly.
"She will be in an Event, an Event hosted by the Fire Lord on the first week of the first month of the following year. It will be in the Fire Lord's palace." stated a frightened Onji.
Azula became desperate for more answers, "Yes yes yes but on what day exactly?" asked Azula impatiently as she snapped her fingers together.
Onji thought for a moment, "Well, I'd assume it'd be on the first day as well." finished a frightful Onji as she trembled before the former Fire Nation princess.
Azula sighed as she finally accepted circumstances, "Very well, I will wait with dignity, while I contemplate how I'm going to properly end that little bitch that robbed me of my glory." said a dignified Azula as she dug her nails into the arm rests of her rocking chair.
Onji's eyes widened in fear, aghast by Azula's 'colorful' language. Onji was about to make her way out, but just as she was about to open the door to leave; an uninvited, perky teenager ran into hut, frantically searching for Onji.
"Onji, Onji, are you alright?" called Ai as she continued to search the room desperately until finally, she caught sight of Onji, cowering by the corner of the main room.
Ai turned to Onji, "Hey, I thought something might have happened to you." mentioned a worried Ai as she ran towards her cloaked friend. Onji smiled frightfully at her friend's disobedience, "Ai, you need to go, now!" pleaded Onji, but before she could continue her plea, Ai's attention turned to the young woman sitting on the chair on the other side of the room. Ai focused completely on the stranger; her eyes squint even more so than usual as if trying to capture a better look at the individual casually relaxing on the rocking chair.
Onji proceeded to get a little closer, "You, you seem familiar." mentioned Ai curiously.
Azula glared at Ai maniacally, "Oh really, how familiar?" asked Azula cryptically as she squinted her own eyes; bending from her chair as she held on to the arm rests.
Onji's eyes widened at the unforeseen consequences that were about to come upon her if Ai recognized Azula. Her anxiety began to take over as Ai continued to gaze at the terrifying beauty that was Azula, until all of a sudden, it hit her; like a ton of stones collapsing on top of her body at once.
Ai's curious expression soon turned dreadful. Her eyes opened wide; Onji catching a glimpse of the wandering nomad's piercing blue eyes for the first time since Onji first met her on top of the Earth Kingdom ship dock.
Onji slowly backed away, as if ready to run for her life, but with precise acuteness, Azula rose from her chair, emitting a strike of lightning point blank into Ai's mouth. Onji gasped as she watched Azula's devilishly blue lightning bolt pierce the back of her skull, escaping out past the door Ai left open.
Onji's face turned into that of extreme horror as she witnessed Ai's body and remnants collapse onto the floor, blood spewing from the back of her head and every cavity in her face as her head bounced, turning to face Onji. She immediately felt anxiety overcome her as she began to heave intensely, the feeling of wanting to regurgitate settling strongly within her stomach as she gazed into Ai's haunting blue eyes, still wide open by the immense shock of lightning that traveled through her cranium. She placed her hand over her mouth as strong sobs and tears escaped her, causing her to collapse back into her small corner as her gazed traveled to the Ai's limp hands, still holding on to the tickets Onji offered to her not too long ago as her body convulsed several times until finally, it came to a complete halt.
Azula immediately relaxed her stance and grinned, "Let this be a lesson to you, of what I will personally do to you if you so mention our 'little plan' to anyone else. Now get out of my sight." finished Azula.
Onji's terrified expression was glued to her face as she took one last glimpse of Azula; immediately getting up from her cowardice and hastily ran out of the hut, desperately trying to get as far away from the scene as possible, tears rolling down her cheeks as she picked up the bag she dropped by the well and frantically escaped from the small village.
Azula observed the young woman running away from her, "Bye bye." said a psychotic Azula to herself as Onji finally disappeared from sight; her focus now on the cadaver that lay on her floor, "Ugh, now what am I going to do with this?" said a frustrated Azula to herself, rummaging through Ai's bag as she closed the door behind her.
You may be wondering why Azula has no interest in Zuko; hmm…...
Stay Tuned.