Alright guys here's the fourteenth chapter of my ATLA story. Anyway, quick things to point out if you haven't noticed.

Text Like this = Someone thinking to themselves

"Text Like this" = A conversation (for those of you who don't know.)

TEXT LIKE THIS = A full on shouting match

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. That goes to the creators of the story Bryan and Mike

Chapter 14: Amare

"Ugh… I hate doing flashbacks. I met her when I went to the store. I was just getting some fruits while she was carrying food to make."

The young man was eating a tangerine when he saw A young woman in her early 20's carrying a basket full of food. However, she seemed like she was having a hard time carrying her food.

Hmm... That girl looks like she needs some help. He thought. "I swear there's so many people and not a single person wants to help her." He sighed out loud and headed towards her. "Excuse me miss. Do you need some help with that?"

She shook her head. "No, thank you. I can handle this on my own." She then left and continued on her way.

"Oh well. I offered up my services and she refused them." He then headed home with his groceries. Midway through the journey he realized something vital. "Damn it all. I have to go to the restroom." He ran as fast as he could, trying to find a restroom.

Not too far from where he was there were two men following the young woman."Hey sweetheart how about you come and follow us home?" One of the men asked her.

"Yeah... No thanks." She said.

"I swear it's always women in this area that are pretty stubborn. Aren't they Shenzhou?" The other man asked.

Shenzhou scratched his head. "I knew this was going to happen Chen. Listen well little girl. We're not asking for your opinion. You're coming with us whether-." He stopped midway through his sentence as he heard snickering. He clenched his teeth. "What's so funny?"

Her snickering turned into a burst of laughter. "OH MAN YOU SAID HIS NAME IS CHEN?"

The man named Chen was losing his patience. "Yeah… What about it?"

She continued with her laughter. "ISN'T CHEN A GIRL'S NAME?"

Chen spoke in a low voice. "No, it can also be a man's name."

"SURE WHATEVER YOU SAY."

Chen lost it. "THAT'S IT." He grabbed her by the arm. His voice went dark. "Like my partner said. We're not asking you for your opinion. You're coming with us whether you like it or not."

The woman stopped laughing and gave them a serious face. "Well, I mean you did kinda ask me if I wanted to go with you guys and I said no. Thanks for the laugh, but now I must be off. I'm kinda getting hungry."

However, Chen tightened his grip. "Oh no. You're not going anywhere. Come on Shenzhou-." He stopped midway through as a fist connected to his jaw.

The woman cracked her fists. "You think someone would have taught you some manners."

Chen wiped the blood coming out of his mouth. "Damn you're a pretty tough girl. I like that. Now I won't feel so bad when I take you by force."

The woman gave a grin. "What? You think you and your idiot friend are gonna take lil' old me by force? Heh. I'd like to see you try."

Both men came at her and she evaded them swiftly. She exhaled. "Is that all you chumps got? Come on at least give me some sort of challenge."

"You're acting pretty cocky aren't you?" Chen asked.

"Not cocky… Just confident. There's a fine line between the two, so remember that?"

"Is that so?" A voice said.

Her eyes opened in shock as she heard a voice from behind her. As she turned around she received a punch to her gut, making her vision blurry. As soon as her vision came back to her she noticed the person wasn't in front of her. She then felt a striking palm to her back causing her to collapse to the ground. "So there was another one of you chumps?"

"What was that about not being cocky? Honestly, for someone who blabbed about confidence so much you failed to notice your surroundings." The man said.

Shenzhou chuckled. "It's about time you showed up boss." Both him and Chen grabbed the woman from behind and held her up.

The boss smiled at her. "You sure did cause us a lot of trouble. I can't wait to taste you."

She gave him a smirk. "The only thing you should be tasting is some mandarin oranges cuz man you're breath stinks."

"Heh, you think so?" The boss slapped her as he said that. "Keep talking. It'll make it that much more better when I break you down to the frail woman you are."

Damn I need to find a way to get out of this mess. She thought to herself. Come on think, THINK.

"Come on men. Let's hurry up with her-." He stopped midway through as he saw someone coming towards them.

"Piss… I need to take a piss. I don't think I can last much longer."

The woman opened up her eyes as she recognized that voice from somewhere. Both their eyes connected. "IT'S YOU?" The pair said at the same time.

The boss looked at her. "You know this idiot?"

"Not really. All I know is that his name is… Actually you never told me your name did you?"

"No, it's really not your business. More importantly, can any of you guys tell me where I can find the nearest restroom? I don't think I'll be able to hold it much longer."

The men gave him a confused glare. "Yeah down the street and take a left." Shenzhou said.

"Thanks. I'll leave you to your wrestling match."

All of them stood there in silence trying to make out what just happened.

"ARE YOU SERIOUSLY NOT GONNA HELP ME?" The woman asked.

"Look, if I help you right now I might piss myself and then that means I have to go home all filled with piss. Not to mention that I'll have to wash these clothes later and just thinking about it is already annoying me. So, see ya." And with that he disappeared.

The boss laughed. "Well, now where were we?"

"Taking her with us?" Chen said.

"Ah, yes. Let's go."

I can't believe I was relying on him. She laughed inwardly.

Shenzhou proceeded to carry her on his shoulder. "Don't start breaking on us right now. We're gonna have a long-." Shenzhou stopped as he felt his conscious fading.

Chen turned around as he heard Shenzhou groaning. He saw his teammate on the ground unconscious while the woman laid flat on top of him. She couldn't have done it. She was too exhausted.

The henchmen looked around trying to find the culprit.

"Boo." He heard a voice. As he turned around he too felt his conscious slipping.

The boss turned around seeing his men on the ground. "I swear you can't trust anyone these days. You gotta do everything yourself don't you?"

"I'll say." The young man said. "Honestly, I thought you morons would've left her alone."

"And what are you supposed to be? Her savior?"

"No. Just the guy who's trying to take a massive piss."

"Is that so? I knew I should've done something to you the instant I saw you." He stretched his shoulders.

"I could say the same." Turning his head whistling. "Except I needed to attend other matters."

The boss came running at him with a right punch. The young man took the punch head on, grabbing the man's fist stopping him from any attacks from the right side. The boss then used his left hand to throw another punch, but the young man ducked his punch and returned the favor by throwing a right jab at the man's ribs, sending him a few feet back.

As the fight continued the woman looked at what was going on. She saw the man helping her. "It's you." She whispered.

"Yeah it is. Now rest up for the time being." He kept looking at the boss. "You know my mother raised me right. She taught me never to lay a hand on people who are smaller than you, ya know? You'd think someone would've taught you that."

The boss gave him a look of pure hatred. He once again ran at the young man with the same technique. The young man smirked as he predicted where the move would be. However, the boss smirked as well, throwing his right arm in order to fake him out and slipping a left hook to the young man's jaw making him stumble a couple feet.

"Damn you got me pretty good. I'll give you that much." Grabbing his crotch in pain. "DAMN, I need to pee SO BAD. Let's just get this over with."

"Aren't you a bit cocky?"

"Like that woman you assaulted said. Not cocky, just confident."

"And you saw what happened to her afterwards didn't you?"

"I know, I know. I looked around and there's not another one of your men out there."

"Heh. Fine, if you want to finish this quickly… LET'S DO THIS." He threw an earth pillar underneath the young man. Jumping backwards the young man nearly escaped the pillar.

"Damn it ALL. That's all I needed. A pesky bender."

"What's wrong? I thought you were gonna finish this up quickly. What happened to all that noise?"

"Oh don't worry there's a beating waiting for you." And with that the young man charged the boss and noticed he was smirking. As he looked beneath him he saw the grave error he made.

"And that's the game." The boss encased the young man with his Earth Bending, thus ending their fight. He turned and faced the woman in front of him. "Now where were we-?"

CRACK

The boss saw the hole made by the young man. "How did you-?"

The young man cracked his neck. "Man it's been a while since I've had to fight with a little bit of effort." Before the boss could say anything the young man ran at the boss with a left jab however the boss evaded the incoming attack. He saw him off balance, so the boss threw a left strike to the young man's head. The young man smirked as he sidestepped to the right and gave him a punch to the head with his right and threw a left jab to his ribs making a cracking sound. The boss stumbled back wincing in pain. However, the young man wasn't finished. He continued with a shot to the jaw, then stomach and finished it with a punch to the liver. (A/N: For those of you who've taken a punch to the liver would understand the amount of pain this would be.) The boss fell unconscious as that last punch connected.

"Damn I didn't think the fight would take that long." He then walked towards the woman. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. Thanks for the concern. However, I'm more worried about you. Are you alright?"

"Yeah I just need to finish something." He then headed towards all three men and gave an evil smile. He then removed all their clothing proceeding to tie them all up. He continued this by dragging them in the middle of the street, grabbing a piece of paper and writing on it "I'm sorry for being so perverted. PLEASE PUNISH ME." He then placed that paper on all three of them and walked away.

He then dusted off his hands. "There. That should do it."

The woman blushed as she saw him. "Thanks again."

"Don't mention it. Now if you-." He winced in pain.

The woman gave him a look of worry. "What? What's wrong? Was it the fight?"

"No… It's just the urge to piss came back."

The woman gave him a look of disbelief. "Oh, is that all?"

"What do you mean 'is that all?' If you were in my position you'd be in pain too." He went to pick up the stuff he bought earlier and headed home. "Now if you don't mind I need to go." He was in the middle of leaving when-

"Wait." The woman said.

"What? Can't get enough of me? Honestly, I'm flattered." He tried acting cool while fighting the urge to use the restroom.

She deadpanned. "Yeah… No that's not it. I was gonna tell you if you needed to use the restroom you could come to my house. It's not that far from here." She pointed down to a small green house down the street.

"Oh man don't mind if I do. Here let me." He said as he collected the food the woman purchased. He gave her a smirk. "Maybe then you could have me over for dinner."

"Sure why not?"

"Yeah you're right that's pretty stupid of- Wait you're serious?"

"Sure. You helped me out. So it's the least I can do."

He bowed down in front of her in tears. "THANK YOU, YOU MERCIFUL GODDESS."

She blushed. "Hey stand up. You're making a commotion and it's embarrassing me."

He stood up wiping the tears away. "Sorry, It's just not everyday that you get a beautiful woman to cook dinner for you."

She gave a smirk. "Was that a compliment?"

He shrugged. "Take it how you want."

"Well, then shall we go?"

"I'll meet you there."

"Huh? Where are you going?"

"To go use your restroom." And with that he took wind before she knew it.

She groaned. " I swear… He's such a weird person." A smile then formed on her face. "But weird isn't always so bad." She looked around and saw the day nearing its end.

XXXXXXXX

Our fellow protagonist walked out of the restroom wearing the biggest grin in the room. "Phew. That was the best piss I've ever had." Looking around he realized that he wasn't home. "Hmm… Where's the living room?" However, something else caught his attention. The sweet fragrance of food being prepared. Drool coming out of his mouth, he followed where the beautiful aroma was coming from.

'Found it." He saw the woman that he saved cooking their dinner. Taking a better look at her he realized how beautiful this woman was. Her hazelnut silky hair and those sky grey eyes were a sight to behold. Not to mention her figure. Those curves filled all the right areas. He realized he was staring too much at the woman.

She felt a burning gaze looking at her. She smirked and took full advantage of the opportunity. "Is there something that caught your attention mister?"

A small blush appeared on his face. Crap. She's onto me. He thought as he was busted. "Well, if I'm being honest just looking at you is making me happy."

It was her turn to blush. "Y-yeah I already knew that. Anyway, why don't you have a seat? Dinner's almost ready."

He pulled up a chair from her counter and sat there. "Don't have to tell me twice." He looked around and saw that it was pretty lonely in there. "So… um, your parents aren't here?"

"Yeah you could say that."

"Away on a trip?"

"Something like that."

"So they'll be back soon?"

"No."

"How come?"

"You ask a lot of questions, you know that?"

"Sorry, it's just a habit. I have the gift to just keep talking, or so my parents said."

"What about you? Your parents must be worried sick with you out this late."

He scratched his head. 'Well, I don't know about that."

"What do you mean?"

"At this point I don't think they'll care if I show up or not."

"Why's that?"

The room's atmosphere dampened and it could be felt for a brief moment. She could see a mourning look on his face before smiling back at her.

"Well, because they're dead. "

She understood not to ask anymore questions. He'd looked like he'd break at any given moment. Instead she focused on finishing the final touches of the meal she was preparing for the both of them. She headed towards the counter and laid out the plates she made.

Handing him his plate she gives him a smile. "Here you go."

She served him ramen. The soup is rich and oily made with pork bones and flavored with miso. The noodles come with a variety of toppings such as slices of pork belly, hard boiled eggs, bean sprouts, corn, and bamboo shoots.

He kept staring at the dish that was presented at him. Somehow it reminded him of the food his mother cooked for him before she passed away.

"..."

She noticed him staring at the food. "What? What is it? Is there something wrong with it?"

He snapped out of his gaze. "Huh? Oh nothing. Just reminiscing is all." He grinned at her. "Let's dig in."

She returned the smile at him. "Yeah. let's."

The room was filled with silence, yet it wasn't filled with an uncomfortable one. They enjoyed each other's company. Finishing their meal he stood up and offered up to take her plate.

"Huh? No you don't have to wash them. I'll do them myself." She gestured.

"No can do. It's the least I can do. Besides, my parents would come back from the grave if they found out that I didn't offer any help."

" I can't make the guest clean up afterwards."

"Well how about this: I wash the dishes and you can dry them. Sound good?"

She nodded. "Yeah sounds pretty good."

"Alright then, let's get started."

And they started. He would wash a plate and she dried it. He would wash a cup and she dried it. The atmosphere felt warm and cozy. He handed her a bowl and as she wasn't paying attention she accidentally grazed his hand.

Startled, she dropped the bowl. "S-sorry."

That caught his attention and he locked eyes with her. "It's cool." Dammit why is she blushing like that? She looks so cute. Feeling the warmth rising up his cheeks he bit his lip. DAMMIT. Now I'M blushing.

They knelt simultaneously reaching for the bowl, accidentally grazing their hands again.

He looked at her again. DON'T. YOU. DARE. BLUSH. AGAIN.

She picked it up looking away from him and they continued washing the dishes.

It feels like we're a married couple. Both of them thought.

XXXXXXXX

Both of them sat in the living room resting after taking care of some chores. It started off washing the dishes. Then, cleaning the kitchen, and by the end of it they cleaned up most of the house.

He chuckled. "Well who knew doing chores could be so fun?"

"Well, I don't know about it being fun, but it was better than doing it by myself."

"Yeah. Guess you're right."

"When am I never right?"

"No need to get so cocky."

"Not being cocky just-" She said.

He waved his hand as he cut her off. "Yeah, yeah. I get it already."

She humphed. "Fine then."

Realizing how late it was he knew he was overstaying his welcoming. "I guess I should be going."

She stood up. "At least let me walk you out to the door."

He gave her a small smile. "Sure."

Once they were at the entrance they said their farewells.

He extended his arm prompting a handshake. "Well, it was fun while it lasted."

She reached out and shook his hand. " I don't know about it being fun."

"By the way… I feel like I overstayed a little bit-."

"You don't say." She said sarcastically.

Giving her an irritated look. " Anyway, Wouldn't your boyfriend be upset if he found out that you were sheltering a random stranger?"

She looked away blushing. "Can't upset a boyfriend if I don't have one."

He tried not to show his smile, feeling a small victory. "Is that so?"

As they were headed to the door a loud boom could be heard.

Looking startled she opened the door to see where the noise was coming from. "What was that? Are we being attacked?'

At that point she heard laughter from behind her. Irritated, she turned around, "WHAT? WHAT'S SO FUNNY?"

Continuing laughing. " I CAN'T -PWHAHA - I MEAN HOW THE HELL DO YOU - HAHA - NOT KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO RAIN. " He continued gasping through laughing fit.

She pouted, making her more adorable. "Hey, how was I supposed to know? Stop laughing! It's not that funny."

He stood up and wiped the tear from his eye. "Ah, it's been a while since someone's been able to make me laugh like that." He realized the grave mistake he committed as soon as those words came out of his mouth.

"Huh? Why's that? You seem a lot more attractive when you laugh like that." She realized she committed the same mistake he did.

He gave her a quizzical gaze. "Did you say something?"

She waved her hands as she blushed. "I said nothing. I said nothing. Anyway shouldn't you be leaving?"

He waved her goodbye. "Yeah you're right see ya later." As he stepped outside a massive amount of rain poured down him. He then turned around as he saw her trying to hold her laughter in.

"Yeah on second thought. I don't think I'm going anywhere."

"Fine, you could stay the night."

He dashed towards her, bowing down on his knees. "OH THANK YOU MERCIFUL GODDESS."

She sighed. "Yeah, yeah now get up."

"Ah, I thought I'd get to see ya blush one more time."

'Yeah not gonna happen buddy."

"Oh well can't help wanting to see a beautiful maiden as yourself blush."

She turned away from him not because she wanted to, but because she had to. Her face turned into a furious crimson color. She needed to get away from him and headed to the kitchen. "Keep dreaming." Remembering that her guest was soaking wet she stopped. "Oh and by the way, you should probably go take a shower and dry off your clothes.

"Thanks. I'll be back in a bit."

'Sure, sure. If you need me I'll be in the kitchen." and with that they went their separate ways… Well for about 30 mins at least.

After taking his sweet time he realized he forgot to grab a towel as well as his clothes. "Damn it all. What a way to screw myself over. Let's see if I can sneak out and grab me a towel." As he was headed outside the bathroom he saw the person he was trying to avoid grinning at him.

"Hey." She said. "Whatcha doin'?"

"Eh, you know… Just enjoying the scenery."

"You do realize that you're just staring at a wall… Right?"

He humphed at her remark. "That doesn't mean I can't enjoy the view."

"You're weird you know that?"

"YOU'RE ONE TO TALK."

She threw a towel and some clothes at him. "Here make you and your little guy look pretty."

"Wait, you knew I was missing clothes? And who are you calling LITTLE."

"But of course. You went to the shower unprepared. So, naturally as wise as I am I went to go get a towel and some clothes for you."

"SO YOU MADE ME LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT THIS ENTIRE TIME?"

"No, I'd say you did that all on your own. It's not like I did anything."

"Gee thanks."

She smiled at him. "You're welcome."

He looked at the clothes she gave him. "Whose clothes are these by the way? They're pretty comfy."

"Those are my father's."

"I should probably hurry up then. I don't want your dad getting mad at me."

"No you don't have to worry about that."

"Aren't your parents coming from their trip soon?"

"Not any time soon."

"How come?"

Her eyes pointed as she bit her lip. He noticed and realized what she was trying to say.

"I'm sorry I should just be quiet."

"No it's fine."

The room was filled with awkwardness. The padder thumped away on the roof. Tears from the heavens rolled down the window.

The young man scratched his neck. "Looks like the rain isn't letting up, huh?"

"You can say that again."

"It's going to be tough getting back to my house if this storm doesn't stop."

"You're spending the night here."

The young man's turned a shade of crimson. "Oh no. I couldn't possibly annoy you with this-."

"I didn't ask if you wanted to stay. You're going to spend the night."

"Oh pretty feisty aren't we?"

"That's not it. I don't want your health in danger because I sent you outside like an abandoned animal."

"Tell me how you really think."

"I just did."

The young man didn't want to keep playing this game. " So, I'm going to sleep in the living room?"

"No you're spending the night in my room."

If the young man's face turned any more red than it was he would've passed out. " Did you hear what you just said?"

"What, that you're going to sleep in my room?"

He couldn't face her. "YES."

She gave him a smug look. "What are you having dirty thoughts?"

"WHAT KIND OF MAN WOULDN'T?"

"Relax there's a spare futon in my room. You can use that."

"You're really trying to give me a heart attack aren't you?"

"Anyway, follow me. It's getting late." She headed towards her room.

His gaze wouldn't allow him to look up. "Please, my heart can't take it anymore." He mumbled.

He stopped at the entrance of her room. Embarrassment wouldn't allow him to step into the cave of wonders.

Her eyebrow raised. "Aren't you coming in?"

"I'm trying. OK?"

Her eyes rolled in annoyance. She grabbed him by the arm. "Come here already."

Stepping into her room he noticed that it was a tiny space. Also, an obsessively amount of the color green. Her room was painted in green. The bed that was in her corner was covered in green sheets. The little table in the middle of her room was also green. Her closet that was next to her door was also green.

He whistled. "You must like green, huh?"

She smiled proudly. "Yeah I designed it myself. What do you think? Pretty good, huh?"

He chuckled. "I think you're a bit too obsessed with green."

"Well, of course. Green is my favorite color."

"You don't say."

"I always loved to paint. Ever since I was a little girl. I wanted to paint houses all green. I was going to paint everyone's houses green whether they liked it or not, because green was my favorite color."

"Is that right?"

She shut her mouth realizing what she was rambling too much. "Sorry, I was rambling too much, huh?"

He gave her a small smile. "No it's fine. It looked like you were happy."

It was her turn to blush. "Anyway let me go get your futon from the closet."

"Take your time."

Opening her closet she noticed a certain convertible bed missing. "Uh oh."

"What does uh oh mean?"

She scratched her head. "Well… I forgot that I was drying my futon today."

"And…?"

"I forgot to bring it"

"OF COURSE SHE DID." He thought. "So what now?"

"You sleep with me."

The young man waved his hands. "HOLD ON."

"What?"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHAT? We just met today and now we're sleeping together?"

"I mean it's just sleep."

"JUST SLEEP?" Lady you're trying to kill me aren't you?"

Heading to bed she patted at the empty space next to her. "Come on already."

"I WILL NOT COME ON."

She covered her ears. "Hurry up already. I'm tired."

"Fine." Once they got in the bed, she turned off the light.

"Goodnight."

"Yeah, goodnight to you too."

XXXXXXXX

Morning came and the young man was at the entrance waving his goodbye.

As he was leaving she realized she forgot something important.

"WAIT." She yelled out.

"What is it?"

"I never got your name. What is it?"

"What for it's not like I'm ever gonna see you again."

"I at least want to know the name of the person who saved me."

He tsked looking away from her. "You were making fun of it yesterday."

"What are you talking about? No I wasn't."

"Yes you were."

"No. I wasn-" She had a flashback to the time she was dealing with the bandits that assaulted her. She then realized why he didn't want to say his name before. "-Oh, so your name is-."

He raised his hand to stop her. "Yes. That's what my name is."

FLASHBACK INTERRUPTED

"WAIT YOUR NAME IS CHEN?" Aang shouted interrupting his flashback.

Chen socked him clean in his bald head. "YES IT IS. NOW CAN YOU SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO THE STORY."

Aang tried to not laugh as hard as he possibly could. "Yes."

"Good now where was I? Ah, yes."

FLASHBACK RESUMED

"Yeah that's my name." Chen said.

"Well it's not that bad of a name."

"What do you mean? You were mocking him saying that it's a girl's name."

"I mean I didn't know that guy. I had to piss him off. You know people like them who get pissed off that easily aren't very smart."

"I mean you were pissing me off when you were making fun of his name."

She stuck out her tongue at him. "Then I guess what I said is true."

"Now I feel like I should've helped out those thugs back then."

She walked up to him. "Well you didn't so thank you." She kissed him on the cheek and headed inside, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Hey wait a minute."

She stopped dead in her tracks. "Yes…? What is it?"

"You thought you were slick kissing me in my cheek and running away."

"Technically I wasn't running away."

Chen rolled his eyes. "You know that's not what I meant."

"Yeah I know.."

"HEY. Don't try to change the subject."

"Yeah I already failed at that captain obvious."

"Right. Anyway, you never told me your name."

She gave him a confused glare. "Does it matter?"

"Yeah it actually does."

"Why?"

"Isn't it obvious? So I can brag about it to my friends."

"Well now I'm not telling you."

He got on all fours. "Please. I was just kidding."

She groaned. "Get up already. You're embarrassing me."

"So are you gonna tell me your name?"

"Hei."

A/N: So right about now I should be working on the 15th chapter of this fanfic. Next one should be up in 2 weeks. While updating this story I'll be editing previous chapters. If you could read and review that would be fantastic. Any type of criticism is fine. Anyway I appreciate you guys.