Book 5 Water
Chapter 12 The Words of the Sky and Sea
The sight of the crowded market place was seen as the scene zoomed passed the townspeople through the steaming food stands and laughing children. Then in the center of the open square was a row of marching guards surrounding three figures. A bulk, robust old man and two small children all dressed in regal robes came into view.
The crowd humbly bowed their heads to the sight of the former general, Dragon of the West.
While ineptly other spectators, curiously glanced at the girl and boy who were seen with the highly respected general.
Dressed in kimonos, the crowd was amazed of the very expensive robes that the children wore, perhaps, too extravagant for any normal child to wear.
Embellished with good luck symbols such as pine trees and bamboo with gold and silver embroidery, the crowd curiously moved closer along the path for a better look of the peculiar kimonos.
The townswomen marveled at the little girl's brown fur shawl that covered nicely with the lavish design of the fine ruby red silk, patterned with wild firethorn flowers and crossed over with enriched pines needles.
Anxious to see more, the crowd peeked at the next person in view. The young boy who walked in a majestic matter while his movements displayed obedience; the bold black kimono stood out among the walkway.
As they awed at the fierce red dragon icon seen on the boy's back symbolizing his royal crest as the prince.
It was then that the townspeople recognized the rare occasion before them. They were in the presence of the heirs to the throne. Groups of people bowed to the ground as the three royal members continued their stroll down the marketplace.
Kya stepped closer to her brother as she became slightly uncomfortable from the bystander's stares and hasty bows.
Kuzon looked down at his sister and smirked. He was used to people dropping everything and falling to the floor like a clumsily three footed komodo rhino. The young prince found it comical and absurd as he laughed to himself.
Kya inquisitively tilted her head as she watched her brother become unexpectedly amused.
Walking down the pathway, the two royal children came across a food stand. The appetizing aroma of dumplings filled the air along with hot cider. Kya smiled with joy as she tugged on Iroh's sleeve. "Iroo! Iroo! There are komodo chicken dumplings over there!" the little girl said as she pointed to the stand.
Iroh smiled as he turned to Kuzon, "Would you two like to try some of the local cuisine?" Iroh asked as Kuzon shrugged his shoulders.
"Sure why not?" Kuzon said as Kya jumped with joy.
As the two children raced to the stand, Iroh kept his eye on them as he signaled the guards on standby.
The sun set over the boarder lines between the Fire Nation Territories into the east as the royal fleet came into view. The scene focused in on the head commander peering through a brass spyglass viewing the horizon.
In the distance was a small island ahead. The man pulled the eye piece away and ordered to his crew, "Full steam ahead to Hing Wa Island!" the commander called out as the crewmen ported to their stations.
As the scene drifted, the location moved down below into the cabins where a woman was seen in her dressing room.
Brushing her long dark brown hair, Katara styled her former hair loopies into a clip as she then tied the rest of her wavy hair into a bun.
After she finished styling her hair, the woman then turned to the counter where large amounts of makeup, jewelry and creams were seen.
Katara gracefully grabbed a jar filled with shea butter cream, one of the most luxurious products of face moisturizers imported from the Earth Kingdom.
Dabbing a small amount onto her finger tips, Katara then rubbed the rich cream into her palms before applying the moisturizer evenly over her face and neck.
After she was done, Katara closed the jar and placed some of her jewelry away in a small velvet box. The woman then rose from her seat and stepped forth her bedside. The bed was big enough to fit four people, as Katara seemed to sink slightly into the soft mattress. The fine silks and warm wool kept her warm as she stared up at the metal ceiling above.
So many thoughts were racing through her mind.
She thought of her friends, her beloved children and husband at home. Katara wondered how they were all doing without her. With a heavy sigh, Katara tried to brush aside her worrying thoughts as she snuggled under the sheets and thick blankets.
Even though the metal ship was run by hot steam, the room itself was getting cooler by the hour as the vessel steered closer to the poles. Katara closed her eyes as she imagined returning home to her people and village.
She pictured their welcoming warm faces along with the happy memories of a home cooked meal of sea prunes and seal meat.
Of course those happy feelings soon faded into the reality of why she was returning. No longer will she see her grandmother's wrinkled smiling face. To hug her in a caring embrace and taste her wonderful cooking baked with her devotion and love. No longer will she hear her voice of wisdom and sweet nurturing chuckle.
The sight of a pit fire was seen as a stick of cooking mushrooms and rice came into view. The scene then rotated with Toph and then Aang as they sat around the fire. Toph was seen with a tired and slightly annoyed appearance as she rubbed her shoulders to keep warm.
Aang was busy placing firewood into the blazing flame as he remained silent.
"Why isn't that guru guy with us?" Toph asked as Aang blinked being brought out of his thoughts.
Aang looked at the young woman and smiled, "He is out meditating by the sacred grounds." The airbender said as Toph scoffed.
After the couple finished their small meal, Aang continued to be deep in thought as Toph would glance over at him periodically.
'Hmp…Idiot. One minute he's the same goofy airhead I know and next he's as quiet and gloomy as Zuko.' Toph thought as she then positioned herself on the right as she crawled over to the young man's side.
Unaware of the girl beside him, Toph got impatient from his ignorant behavior towards her.
Boldly, Toph got into his face. "Hey!" Toph exclaimed as Aang blinked to find two angry jade eyes staring at him.
"Oh, sorry…Did you say something Toph?" Aang asked as Toph's frustrated expression suddenly softens as she then fell into the young man's arms.
Aang's cheeks turned red as he hesitated while he looked down at the girl's long black hair laid out over her slender back.
"Why don't you talk to me anymore?" Toph asked lightly as Aang narrowed his eyes as he then wrapped his arms around the petite girl.
"I'm sorry…" Aang said with an almost culpable tone in his voice as he lowered his head.
The bright flame cast over Toph's pale doll like complexion as her pink lips parted, "Stupid…" the girl said as she then buried her face into his robes.
Aang slowly relaxed against the young woman as he tried to allow her to stay in his embrace. For whatever reason, the typically stubborn unapproachable girl was being rather clingy lately. Not that the airbender minded, it was just unusual at times…It was so unexpected for him, perhaps even her.
Aang then slowly started to rub the girl's back in a tender motion as Toph's tensed muscles began to loosen.
The couple would usually perform simple touches such as massages and light hugging. It eased both their timid and obdurate temperaments. It then dawned on Aang as he thought to himself. How really physical Toph and himself were yet have never done anything full-filling as the guru stated.
Brushing it aside, Aang took a deep breathe as he lowered his head and rested his forehead on the back of Toph's.
He smelt her silky black longs as they tickled the tip of his nose. She always had a pleasant smell, like spring. It was like the fresh scent of blooming flowers and water dew in the morning.
Toph moved slightly as she slowly sat up with a tired expression. Aang smiled as he then leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose.
Toph then moaned with annoyance as she immaturely rubbed her nose and then sniffed. Pouting her lips, the earthbender then raised her hand into a fist and lightly tapped the corner of his lips, missing her main goal on his cheek as she carelessly slumped her head down.
"Id-d-iot…" Toph mumbled as Aang chuckled.
"You should rest if you're that tired." Aang said with amusement in his voice.
Toph lifted her head as her cheeks tinted pink. She didn't liked it when people told her what she should do or how she was feeling. Although in Aang's case she took it kinder than if it was other people. But still…Sometimes he made her feel like she was dependent, and besides, so what if she was tired.
She wasn't going to admit that so easily to him or rather to herself. Anyways; it wasn't for him to start telling her when to rest or not.
Thinking through, these opinions seemed clear in her mind as she continued to tell herself that Aang was just like everyone else. Yet in her heart she knew that was far from the truth.
He was only concerned for her and treated her as an equal, something, which the once blind earthbender was ever encouraged to feel…Perhaps in her whole life. She was grateful for that…So she finally decided to let this side, just once.
Feeling satisfied, Toph gave a smug grin before slightly closing her eyes. Aang watched the girl express multiple expressions of what appeared to be frustration as her nose wrinkled up. Aang smiled as he always found the sight cute and childish.
The girl then sighed as her tensed features eased a bit while she expressed what seemed like doubt in her mind. She then quickly rejoiced, uttering a small hum of satisfaction as she gave an arrogant smile unaware of the airbender witnessing her actions.
Tilting his head, Aang chuckled as Toph blinked being brought out of her thoughts. Seeing the sly smile laced across the young man's face made Toph heat up as she barked out at him.
"What's that's look for?" Toph asked in a defense tone.
Aang chuckled as he lengthened out his hand and caressed her face, "How cute you look when you're frustrated." Aang said in a deep tone as the girl blushed deeper.
"Phesh…You think everything is cute. Everything from a bird to an egg custard." Toph said with annoyance as Aang leaned in.
"No, I simply admire and appreciate what the Gods have given us in return for such a blissful life." Aang said as he nuzzled his cheek against Toph's hair.
"I see something greater with you…Greater than anything else." Aang said as he traced his lips across the girl's cheek and jaw line.
Toph swallowed hard as she spoke, "Heh, and what could that possibly be?" Toph asked as Aang pulled away and looked into her eyes.
"That the Gods blessed me with a piece of paradise…You." Aang mumbled as he breathlessly nibbled on Toph's bottom lip before pulling away quickly.
The earthbender's heart fluttered at a fast pace as her cheeks turned nearly twenty shades darker.
'Since when did he become such a smooth talker?' Toph thought as she tried to maintain her composure.
Recalling in the past, Aang has said such things before. Especially when he realized his true feelings for her and they became a couple. Toph remembered that his words were sweet and innocent; a common pun used to flatter a girl's heart in that time of their youth.
But now…Something felt different when he said those words again. It held passion and depth. But as most say, action speaks louder than words.
Why did he nibble her lip so softly…Almost teasingly?
There was something else. It was as though he stopped half way, as though he was rousing her to continue yet held back before causing anything more serious.
Why?
Was he afraid?
Is she?
No…Toph thought as she slowly opened her eyes and looked at the blushing man before her.
There's no reason to be afraid over something that feels so wonderful, so beautiful.
Toph brashly leaned in, staggering over the young man's lap as she kissed Aang as deeply as she could. The young man tensed before suddenly grasping the side of her arms as he pulled her closer to him.
Muffled moans escaped their shaken mouths as their bodies brushed against one another.
Their hormones raced throughout their veins, plumping high levels of thyroxine and estrogen within both their minds and body.
Such a function caused a normal response to be greatly stimulated was soon noticed as Toph pulled away blushing.
Aang panted as he looked away self-conscious while he adjusted his pants.
Toph blinked as she looked away. The young woman knew what happened therefore making it more embarrassing to think about. It was difficult for her and the young man because they were inexperienced. Thus the situation is semi-awkward and frustrating.
Their surroundings soon set in as they heard a voice down the path. It was the guru Pathik coming in to the camp with a basket full of picked fruit and spare vegetables such a squash and radishes.
"So, how long do you plan to stay here in the Southern temple Aang?" the guru asked suddenly as he placed the basket down.
Aang blinked before he thought about what to say, Toph then cut in. "We're not leaving soon, are we? I thought we were going to stay and help the spirits!" Toph exclaimed as the airbender hummed in thought.
They did need to return to the Fire Nation, but Toph was right. They needed to at least try and help the trapped spirits.
"At least three more days before we head off to the Fire Nation." Aang said as he looked towards Toph to see if she approved of the date.
The girl nodded her head with a smile as she suddenly arched back slightly from the guru as he offered her a bowl of onion banana juice.
Giving an irritated expression, Toph shouted loudly. "Why would I want that nasty stuff when you brought us all these fruits and vegetables?!" Toph asked as the guru chuckled.
"They're for the spirits." The guru said as a fat sweatdrop slide down the girl's head.
"No way!" Toph yelled out
"Haha, Toph he's joking." Aang said as he chuckled.
Toph grumbled as she folded her arms over her chest and the sound of Aang and Pathik's laughter echoed through the stone walls as the scene drifted in view of the vast mountains.
Haha! Oh Toph! She may never understand a monk's sense of humor. I hope you enjoyed this so far! Also it may seem like a déjà for the taang scene compared to Zuko and Katara. But I'm just trying to make this realistic. Please review and comment your thoughts or opinions on my chapter!
Also I hope I made it clear that for Kya and Kuzon, the townspeople do know that the Fire Lord has children. But they have never seen the children due to the high security of their safety. Fro example there is no portraits of their faces, so that anyone who wishes to harm them won't know what they look like.
And as another thing I'd like to add is I hope the description of what was happening to Toph and Aang were biologically correct and understandable. It was a little different to how I would have normally written that scene but I want to mix up my writing capabilities such as a more scientific view.
Thanks for reading!