Book 4 Air

Chapter 81 Actress Behavior

Part Two

The view of a dark room was seen with a figure leaning over the mantle of a blazing fireplace. "Nothing works…Nothing at all…" the man said in a hopeless tone. Papers were seen scattered over his room. On the floor, torn and crumbled, scrolls unrolled over tables and sutras spattered over with red ink.

"No matter what I do…They won't leave…These voices…Damn them to hell." Sho said in a dark tone as he gripped his fingers on the edge of the mantle, his knuckles turning white.

The light from the fire casted flickering shadows in the room, making the man start to hallucinate as he turned to the moving darkness.

"You can't escape…"

"No…" Sho said as he turned behind him, his eyes widens with fear as the shadows appeared to mock him.

"You can't unbind us…"

"Stop! Leave me alone!!!" Sho screamed out as he started to pull out his hair.

"Frame General Jee…He is your enemy…Without him, you will rise in power. You will become Imperial…"

"Imperial…? The highest rank…? Rise in power…?" Sho repeated as his heart slowly began to taint with darkness.

"Regain your honor…"

"My honor…?" Sho said as he panted out his eyes glinted with sinful pride.

"Yes…I will regain my honor, and become Imperial!" Sho cried out as he chuckled a manic laugh.

His arms lifted up, bend from the elbows as his hands formed into claw-like grasps. His shadow danced wildly in the fire's glow against the blood red walls.


"Just let her rest for now. You are free to stay if you like, but please don't disturb her." A nurse said the Avatar as she checked for any last signs of the earthbender before leaving the room.

Aang nodded his head as he kept his eyes on Toph. He sat as close as he could to her bedside as he monitored her vital signs such as her breathing and listening to the sound of her heartbeat; that rhythmically vibrated, pulsing from the metal railing of the cot. Luckily he was able to recognize the different beats because of the technique he was taught through her earthbending method. He was grateful…

Honestly, when Aang thought about it. He didn't know how far he could have gotten without the stubborn earthbender girl. How she pushed him and encouraged him. How in some way, she knew him like no one else did. Not even Katara. She always spoke the truth, no matter how brutal it was…That's what Aang liked most about her. How tough she acted, yet deep down she was in her own right nice.

Aang continued to think deeper in how he felt about the earthbender. How their friendship…Their relationship was beyond anything he could have felt; and ever since he saw the vision of the laughing noble girl in the swamp. In his heart he felt as though he knew her all his life. Then once he saw the mysterious blind bandit on that Earth Rumble 6 stage. He felt that same tugged in his heart. It was her. The same girl he has come to love so much. He felt so stupid for not realizing it sooner.

'She was alone…' Aang thought to himself quietly as he recalled how everyone had someone. Someone they loved and developed a life-long committed to each other on that day in Iroh's tea shop.

Sokka had Suki…Zuko and Mai…and Aang had Katara. But Toph…How did she feel that day? Knowing she was left out with no one other than friendship?

Was she fine with that? Knowing she had all of these wonderful friends? Or was she hurting inside? Knowing no one would love her, no one would give her that special comfort of actually being with her in that special way. Was she really alone?

'She's not anymore…' Aang thought to himself as he reached out and placed his hand over hers.

"I will protect you." Aang said softly as he then narrowed his eyes. "Always…"


Two figures were seen walking down the hall. Suki giggled as Sokka rubbed her butt as he then pinched it lightly. "Haha…Sokka, no… Not yet." Suki said as she tapped his nose. The young Water Tribe warrior grinned as he then took her hand. "Come on, I'll lead you to my room." Sokka said in a playful tone.

The two teens approached closer to his bedroom. As Sokka opened the he then saw someone he forget about. Aeron! Not only was she still in his bedroom, but she was wet from head to toe and in his robes! Quickly Sokka shut the door, and then turned to Suki.

"Ya, know where would be better for some kissin' a secret room!" Sokka said as he quickly grabbed his girlfriend's hand and lead her away from his bedroom.

"Sokka! We'll get in trouble!" Suki protested as Sokka then stopped, "Then what about your room?" Sokka said as Suki thought about it.

"I guess…Sokka are you alright? You seem twitchy." Suki said becoming concern as Sokka jolted lightly. "Twitchy? Oh…Nah, I'm fine, sweetie." Sokka said as he then pulled Suki in, wrapping his arms around her. "Now come here…I can't wait anymore…" Sokka said as he kissed his girlfriend. Suki melted in his kiss as Sokka slowly opened his eyes. Then he saw Aeron step out of his room. Sokka then pushed Suki towards the wall down the hall, away from Aeron's sight. Suki muffled against his kiss as she pulled away. "Wow, what got you so passionate?" Suki said with a mischievous smile as she ran her fingers down his chest.

"Heh…You know, I just can't keep my hands off you…" Sokka said as he tried to hide his nervous jitters.

"Mmm…Maybe I'll take that offer on that secret room…" Suki said in a playful tone as she kissed his neck. Sokka closed his eyes as he gulped. 'Oh man, not the neck…Not the neck…' Sokka thought as he started to get turned on.

"Sokka?"

The young Water Tribe man jumped when he heard the one person he didn't want to hear.

"Oh, I'm sorry…I hope I wasn't…interrupting anything." Aeron said as she blushed and turned her head. Suki turned and looked at the young woman then turned to Sokka who was smiling nervously.

"Oh, it's you…Have the councils made their decision yet?" Sokka asked trying to distract Suki from any suspicions.

But she didn't buy it.

"Who's this Sokka? Do you know her?" Suki asked as she pulled away from her boyfriend and placed her hands on her hips.

"Ah, yea, kind of, this is…

"Aeron, my name is Aeron." The young woman said as Sokka made a gesture behind Suki to Aeron of slicing his neck then shaking his head 'no!'

"Aeron…Well it's nice to meet you. I'm Suki." The Kyoshi warrior said as she then gave the girl a second look. "Say, you look pretty familiar…" Suki said as Sokka stepped in.

"Well, since you both introduced one another. I guess it's time to go Suki." Sokka started to say frantically as he tried to pull the girl away.

"No…I do know you." Suki said as she stepped firmly on the ground as she then recognized the robes the damp haired woman wore. "You're that fighter from the festival! And why are you in my boyfriend's robes…" Suki said as she pointed her finger at the girl.

Sokka then made a pleading gesture with his hands, begging Aeron to help him set it straight with his girlfriend that nothing happened.

Aeron then placed her hands on her hips as she smirked in a seductive matter then laughed a short mocking bark.

"I guess it can't be helped…You caught me." Aeron said as a sweatdrop formed over Sokka's head and Suki twitched with anger.

"I was in dire need for help. The only person who was willing to aid in my time of need was this brave warrior. He helped me save princess Ursa from being sentenced to death!" Aeron said in an over dramatic tone as she turned her head to the side and lifted her hand over her forehead, striking a pose.

Suki's anger slowly faded to concern as she heard the mention of Ursa. "He did?" Suki said as her eyes glistened with compassion.

"Yes…He was so amazing…There he was, offering his hand to mine. Together we were able to save the princess. But then!" Aeron said with a suspenseful pause as she then looked at the young woman and blinking teen boy.

"But then I was falsely accused from the evil general Sho! I was to go to trial…But Sokka boldly took my place and defended me in the case!" Aeron said as she placed her heart over her chest.

"He spoke out for me; helping more than he ever needed to…This warrior is my hero. He offered me his room and warm bed when I had no where else to go…Oh, what passion, what bravery." Aeron said as small droplets drifted away from her eyes in an over-dramatic effect.

Suki's eyes watered as she believes the woman's words, Sokka's eyebrow twitched.

"My heart melted to him, how wondrous he was to me…Oh how I will never forget that night…" Aeron said as she then over did it.

"Ah! Aeron, don't say that!" Sokka exclaimed as a shadow covered Suki's eyes.

"Oh really? Exactly what was so wondrous that he did?" Suki asked as she cracked her knuckles.

"His words wooed me like no other…" Aeron said as she clenched her heart losing herself in her character as she smiled sweetly.

Just then a loud slap brought Aeron out of her dazed girly act, to find Sokka on the floor with a big red handprint across his face.

"Oh my…Did I over do it?" Aeron asked as she bent down towards the young man.

"Yes…You did" Sokka mumbled as he dropped his head on the carpet and groaned.


Zuko and Katara paced down the hallway slowly as they kept silent. Katara glanced over at the Fire Lord before speaking out.

"Do you think Toph will be alright?" Katara asked as Zuko narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not sure…She showed small signs of my sister and Mai's case. This could be bad." Zuko said as Katara then leaned in and held his hand in a concerned matter. The young man stopped then gripped his hand into hers. He turned to her gaze then smiled. "Don't worry; I'm sure we can stabilize Toph before it gets worse. My only concern is…What if more people get affected. What if you do…? I couldn't bare myself to see you that way." Zuko said as he turned facing the girl before him with worry in his molten eyes.

Katara smiled softly as she cupped his cheek, "It's alright, and I won't become that…Zuko. As long as I'm with you…" Katara said as she leaned in and lightly kissed his lips. Zuko smiled sadly as he kissed her back. The two then wrapped their arms around each other and passionately kissed.

Pulling away, they both smiled then continued down the hall hand in hand.

'I pray she won't…I'll be sure of it…Only I can protect her…' Zuko thought to himself as he held her hand tightly.


You thought I forgot about Aeron didn't you? Haha, nope! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review for super fast updates!!!!

Yummy Zutara coming next chapter! Stay tune!