Book 5 Water
Chapter 26 Night of the Hunter
The sight of the full moon came into view with a few scattered gray clouds drifting across its form. Below the bright satellite was the vast ocean, gradually becoming calmer along the rolling surface.
Not far off ahead continued the raging storm in the distance. The thunder creased the final roar of the Gods as the rain slowly dispersed into the astrosphere leaving behind the heavy scent of moisture.
The scene then focused on a metal ship as its anchor came into view being lifted out of the water to set the vessel once more across the sea. The scene then zoomed in pass the metal walls and into the chamber halls, where a figure was seen awaiting her new bedroom quarters.
Katara was hesitant as she entered the room; her eyes scanned the space warily when she stepped in.
From what she could see, it was a simple chamber with a cot and table. Far more pleasing than the previous cramped cell, the waterbender once stayed.
A shiver claimed Katara as she gasped lightly before a slight hiss escape her lips. The unsettling feeling clearly concerned the waterbender as she turned back to the open doorway.
The realization finally sank in as Katara noted what she knew she had to do as expected as a Fire Lord's wife. Her title indeed gave her power but with a deep difference in how she could use it in a political scandal. Due to that fact, her family's life hung in the balance.
Deep down, Katara knew in the end, her captor would probably turn against her and take whatever his evil heart desired. That's when an old voice came back into her memory. A voice she ignored in her heart long ago.
"The choice is not yours! The power exists. And it's your duty to use the gifts you've been given to win this war! Katara, they tried to wipe us out: our entire culture. Your mother!"
Her lips trembled as she then pursed them shut while struggling to decide what to do as she felt her body react to the overwhelming force building around her. While that terrible awareness cut into her heart.
She could lose everything she held dear…and she had the power to stop it. But the cost of her moral value and briefs were tested as she hugged herself in comfort.
The supernatural pull of the full moon was unmistakably calling out to the bender. The sensation was stronger than ever as Katara could feel it in her fingertips as they tingled and her skin sprouted tiny bumps over the surface.
The cause of this was slowly clouded her judgment as she felt the tender emotion pour into her. The mere thought was absurd, yet it hung there. Dangling in front of her; taunting her to unleash the almost impossible act to commit.
Was it the white haired goddess's doing? Katara wondered as she recalled the odd effects of the full moon's influence.
Ever since the moon spirit was taken away from the physical world and the princess of a kingdom of ice sacrificed herself for her people that horrifying night. The moon was reborn with a human heart.
Closing her eyes, Katara spoke softly, "Yue…Why do you call out to me?"
The waterbender inhaled deeply as she could feel the intense presence start to pulsate over her body. The moon's energy filling into her body, into her skin, into her very pores. The energy then felt as through it was in her own bloodstream pumping, gushing through her veins. Dowsing her like an intoxicating drug.
Her senses were heightened to almost inhuman portions as the sound of water was heard. The swooshing noise pounded in the woman's ears as her heart rate increased and breathing heaved.
Her eyes opened with a raw passion seen in them, a dark essence seeking vengeance and freedom.
With one final intake of air, Katara's mind was set.
For the sake of her loved ones, she will commit the ultimate sin as a waterbender.
Tonight…She will become a hunter.
The sound of shattering glass was heard as it was seen on the floor. Remains of a porcelain cup came into sight as the scene then focused on a boy gasping out.
"Kuku?" a small voice called out as the scene then drifted to the view of a girl appearing concerned as she was watching her brother.
Kuzon's eyes widened as the strange sensation flooded his mind again.
Just then a woman was seen racing down the hall almost frantic as the children gazed in confusion from their seats.
Kuzon then narrowed his eyes as he stood from his seat and ran out the door.
"Kuzon!" Kya yelled out with worry as she crawled off the chair and ran after her brother.
The scene then turned back to the young boy as he dashed down the hallway.
The odd sensation was pushing rapidly towards the prince and then slowly pulling away right out of his grasp, much like the continuous course of the waves along a shoreline.
The presence was drawing closer as Kuzon came across a separate hall in the eastern wing.
While staring down the hall and briefly taking a short breath, Kuzon then realized the strange presence was in the nursery.
"Lee!" the elder brother cried out as he raced to the open doorway and stepped inside.
Shortly after, Kya entered and bumped into her brother's back. "Ah! Kuku? What's wrong? Why did you-?
The child stopped mid-sentence as looked up and joined the astonished stare with her brother.
Once inside the metal chamber of the unknown vessel, Aang sighed. There was an uneasy sensation in his stomach which made him feel slightly nauseous.
"You better not puke on me." Toph said in distaste as she fumbled with the fabric on the cot and then stared at the airbender already aware of the situation.
"Heh, don't worry. I'm not that sick." Aang tried to reassure the young woman as he steadily walked over to a stool.
Toph huffed out as her bangs wisped over her face, revealing her annoyed eyes for only a moment before the thick bangs covered them again.
Aang noticed her upset expression and asked if everything was alright.
Crossing her arms over her chest, Toph stood in a firm stance before barking out at the young man.
"You know exactly what's wrong! Why did you go and tell that man I was your life partner!" Toph cried out as her face beamed red and hands now on the side of her hips clenched tightly.
Aang blinked as he didn't quite understand why the earthbender was so worked up over that.
Thinking of the most logical reason at that time, the young man spoke out.
"Well, I thought it would have been better to have said something of the sort. What if one of those men decided to make a move on you?" Aang said as he did notice the dissipated gaze the men gave the earthbender.
"Oh? So it was just a cover-up so no one could have their hands on me?" Toph said with a light tinge of hurt in her voice as she honestly was not impressed by the airbender's answer and expected better of him.
"N-No! No, that wasn't it at all!" Aang staggered as he waved his hands in front of him in defense.
Stomping up to the airbender, Toph's eyebrows furrowed in anger as she crossed her arms over chest again. With a slight pout on her lips, she stood in front of him.
"Well if that wasn't it then what is it?" Toph sharply demanded as she waited for a reply.
Aang was tongue-tied as he struggled to say the right words, but before he had the chance Toph cut him off.
Her angered expression then softens as she turned her gaze away from the airbender, "Am I not, your life partner?" Toph asked in question, preferable more to herself than to him.
Aang's eyes slightly widen as he finally took thought into what she was saying.
Of course, Toph was his partner…She was his teacher, his friend, his traveling companion. Toph was…
Aang then gave a warm smile which caught Toph by surprise as she kept her guard up.
"No. You aren't my life partner." Aang said bluntly as Toph then shut her eyes trying not to show the airbender her pained reaction to his words.
Aang then stood up from his seat and stepped toward the earthbender, looking down at her in a longing way.
"You're more than that." Aang said in a tender tone as Toph gasped out and jerked her head up at the young man.
Aang then leaned in slightly as he caressed a strand of hair out of the girl's face before speaking in a loving voice.
"You're my soul mate."
Toph's eyes widen. Before she could react Aang claimed her lips softly. The earthbender closed her eyes in response.
Toph never understood the nomad's choice of words sometimes.
He was too old-fashioned for her to actually know his true intentions. Yet, it was probably to be expected due to his one century slumber in the frozen glacier. In sprite of his youthful appearance and mind, the nomad's customs pierced through the wide generation gap.
What was considered traditional to the air nomad seemed so foreign to the earthbender, a noblewoman of a long line of wealth.
Toph brushed the thought aside as she pulled away from the young man's kiss.
Her eyes glistened a glossy daze as she looked up at the monk.
'I don't care anymore about tradition.' The woman thought as she watched Aang raise his hand and cupped her cheek.
'As long as I'm with him…That's all that matters.' Toph thought to herself as her eyes teared up.
Aang noticed and became worried. He lightly extended his index finger and wiped away the small droplet at the corner of the woman's eye.
Toph blushed at the young man's tenderness as she tilted her head and spoke in a soft tone.
"I-I'm not sad. I-I'm happy." Toph said as she then looked up at Aang and gave a warm smile.
"I'm happy." Toph said again with a cheerful tone.
Aang simply nodded as he brushed his forehead against her bangs and lightly kissed her nose then her cheek. Inch by inch, he kissed her sweetly, causing the girl to blush deeper.
The airbender inhaled as the earthbender exhaled.
"I want it…" Toph spoke out with a hint of modesty in her voice.
"I want you." The woman said as she then gazed deeply in the man's eyes.
Aang didn't hesitate to her words as he placed his long hands on her petite shoulders. Toph gasped out as she then felt her body crush against his in a powerful embrace. The warmth of the man's lips lingers on hers as they kissed deeply. Toph could feel the board built underneath Aang's robes. His physique was no longer small or untoned. Toph knew what lied under him was rock-hard muscle and abs. Knowing that, excited her to no end.
The slight roughness of his hold on her caused her melt in his arms.
It was so unlike him. Yet was more than him. Aang was everything Toph desired yet never imagined she'd be with. Perhaps, that why it's so hard to break away, they always found each other in one way or another.
As their lips smacked against one another in the heated kiss, Aang longed for more as his hands roamed the earthbender's soft skin.
No longer gentle and nimble against her body, Toph reacted to the young man's aggressive touch as she mumbled a slight moan and gasp at the same time.
Aang broke away from the woman's lips as he then aimed for slender neck. Kissing down her neckline, as he then nibbled at the pale flesh. Aang took a moment to inhale the sweet scent of sweet pea and water lilies in her black locks of hair.
He wanted it. Probably just as much as she did.
Toph's eyes closed as she tilted her head back, elongating her neck.
Offering the man more access to her sensitive neck
Her svelte fingers reached out, crossing over the man's shoulder and lightly caressing the back of his bald head.
Aang curled his arm under Toph's side, holding her closer to him as he then sucked on her neck.
Toph cried out in surprise by the sudden rush of arousement that stirred inside her. These wild and almost maddening feelings forming at such a rapid pace. Toph felt as though she was losing herself in the strange sensation of pleasure.
Before Toph could process, she felt a cold solid wall behind her. She didn't even realize she took any steps. Her feet felt light as a feather as she moaned out being pushed against the metal wall.
Aang's hand planted themselves beside Toph's body, leaning against the wall for support as he continued to kiss her. Traveling down her collarbone, tasting the sweet tang on her bare skin.
Toph gripped on the nomad's robes as she panted out. Aang lifted his head for a moment and stared into her deep green eyes.
They shared a moment together. A moment that needed no words to express the unyielding desire that boiled in their very souls.
Giving Toph a searing kiss, Aang started to pull away at her silk attire. While Toph grabbed at Aang's draw-string pants in a hastily fashion.
Aang then pulled away slightly, panting to catch his breath and control himself.
"Wa-Wait! Wait…" Aang said as Toph blinked and released her hold on the string connected to his slacks.
Aang took a breath and then looked up at the earthbender.
"I don't-I don't want our-
Aang was cut off as he felt a soft finger press on his lips.
"Neither do I…" Toph said, understanding what the airbender wanted as she blushed.
Aang smiled faintly as he leaned in, caressing his lips against the woman's face.
For this being both their first time, Aang didn't want to rush into it. As much as his body yearned to claim this beautiful woman before him. He knew that patience was virtue.
The scene slowly backed away as the two benders leaned in, kissing one another deeply.
Oh no, Katara is planning to unleash the dark side of waterbending! What did Kuzon and Kya find in the nursery? Will Aang and Toph finally get it on?
Review to find out!