[M] Avatar TLA: Tribal War {UshimaxPrincess Panda}

[Ushima]

rate m for violence, swearing, sex, alcohol.

Life was getting hard for him. Ok maybe hard was a bad word. Tiring, yeah that fit it better. Life was getting tiring for him. Cause lets face it nothing is hard for the Pheomix Prince Raiden. He seemed to just be dragging himself through his days. His face was permanestly set in a slight frown/scowl hybrid. Though his depressed mood did not effect his combat effectiveness. No that was the one thing about him that remained constant, that he was a supreme warrior. He had a duty to his nation and he would not fail to carry that out. Lightning danced on the young man's body, his troubled emotions allowing his control to slip a little bit. Regaining control of his body he sighed, rolling out of his cot. His bare feet hit grassy ground, he was clad in only a pair of sleeping shorts. Stretching he heard joints pop and stiffness leave his body.

His group was stationed in a old Firenation outpost, with the troubling times they saw fit to re-occupy it. He had with him, twenty five men and women, all hand picked by him. Everyone one selected was the best, from the swordsmen to some lowly grunt with greater aspirations of rising the ranks of the military. "Captain!" Raiden yelled.

"Yes my lord." Captain Zen, age thirty and a twelve year veteran, bowed. "Your orders sir?"

"Gather the troops for morning exercise." Zen left, already shouting for the others to gather. Raiden decided to get ready, but before that he poured himself a shot of Firewhiskey. Raiden quickly pulled on a pair of dark pants and boots, scuring the pants with a belt. He attached a leg sheath to each thigh, each one capable of holding two daggers. He also stuck a knife in each boot. He poured another shot, dowing it quickly. It burned all the way down but to him it felt like nothing.

"Sir?" Zen had re-entered the tent. "You're drinking already? It's still early in the moring."

"Nonsense it's only seven." Raiden brushed past Zen and stood before the gathered troops. Once he checked off that everyone was there he began drilling his troops. If you were working with Raiden you knew better than to disobey orders, it was a one way trip to an Agni Kai with Raiden and the chances of you coming out of it without a trip to the medical tent was....not good. The only people who stood a chance were Grand Masters, Firebenders with tremendous experience and skill. The morning drills, basic push-ups and sit-ups, quickly finished and Raiden dismissed them to continue about their business. Some had missions to carry out, others duties to maintain the outpost, such as getting it back into decent shape so the can move into it finally.

Raiden returened to his tent with his staff. "Any word from Sam?"

"None yet my lord. But it is still early in the morning. Knowing Miss Sam she's probably still asleep in some tree." The officer assured his CO.

Nodding Raiden began to file through some papers, lists of all their supplies, things they needed shipped from the Fire Nation, new orders to be assigned. Saluting the men left to carry out their orders. Raiden grabbed his war axe and a whetstone. Maintaining his weapon was one of his more, relaxing, activities of the day. The warrior hoped something, anything, would come and distract him for awhile.

[Froggy]

The past few months had been tiring and trying. Leilani had been traveling constantly from tribe to tribe, trying to gather information for an alliance between the water nation and the earth kingdom. Every time she came back, she found that there had been more attacks on her village, more innocents hurt and more supplies lost.

Anger fueled her drive to continue, her need to help their cause. When given the opportunity to travel to the Earth city Omashu to gather their side of the treaty, she was honored. Despite the honor, she was rather nervous as to how her body would fair to the long travel. She'd had a mere five days to rest after months of travel, before she had set to Omashu.

Carrying her backpack on her shoulders, filled with supplies for the trip and orders from various tribes, as well as letters to the General, and her jar of pure water, she had set out from her village two weeks ago and had been traveling steadily ever since. It had taken her two weeks to reach the Earth Kingdom, and she was still having nightmares about the Foggy swamp.

Upon reaching the gates of Omashu, a guard tried giving her trouble about letting her in, despite how obvious it was that she was from the water tribe, and she had to be rather harsh to get in. "Look," she told the guard, her fingers drumming against her sword hilt on her waist. "Either you let me in to meet with the General about an alliance between our nations, or I turn around right now and go back home and you lose more than your job," she said, glaring at the guard. The guard obeyed her orders and let her into the city, and even told her the easiest way to get to the Earth Palace.

Sighing, she set foot into the Earth Kingdom and began her walk. She paused at the front of a little tea shop and her knees and arms felt like jelly, unwilling to keep going. "Ten minutes shouldn't hurt," she mumbled to herself as she reached into her pocket for some coins.

She sat down at the table and ordered a cup of herbal tea, something to soothe her body, and relaxed against the wall. She was facing the door of course, and had her elbow resting on her backpack, and her hand on her sword.

[Ushima]

Raiden, after finishing up his work in the tent, had moved back outside to do a bit more of his own training. First he did some stretches, all that time sitting down made his joints stiffen. Once that was done he called over five of his best soldiers and ordered them to attack him, with everything they had. It was an impressive display of power and control as Raiden fought. Fire and lightning used in a deadly combination. It took all of seven minutes until the last one was flat on his back. "Again." Raiden ordered. All the soldiers on the ground scrambled up to their feet and attacked again.

~

Loud snoring filled the tree tops, causing a light disturbance. Leaves were blown about wildly, branches shook. It could only be one type of person, an airbender. Though not just any airbender, this young lady was names Sam. And she was Raiden's right hand woman. She was on a recon mission, though right now she was sleeping in. That was all about to change though as her body slowly rolled to the left. "AH!" And she fell. Quickly twisting her body she landed on the branch below. Her eyes scanned around for anyone who might have seen the embarassing act.

Finding no one she dropped to the ground, ready to continue her mission. She grabbed her glider, which was set against the tree, and started walking. Sam thought about sending a message to Raiden back at camp, knowing he might be a bit worried about her. But in the end she decided not to, not really caring. She was the only one who could piss Raiden off and live to see the next day. It was a strange relationship the two had, most thought that they were lovers when you first met them. And at first she did have a slight crush on the prince but that was quickly wiped away after working with him. And when she thought about it she wasn't comfortable being with someone six years younger than her.

Approaching the city walls she climbed them with ease and qucikly dropped to the ground without anyone noticing. Walking the streets she tried to find the person she had been following for the last couple days. A water tribe emissary. It wasn't as hard as she thought, she just had to find the blue dot in a sea of green. Sam herself was a black dot, having exchanged her normal yellow and brown airbender robes for black ones. Also to help conceal heer identity she had her tattoos removed, a very painful process.

Entering the Tea Shop a minute after her target she took a seat at a table, the waitress greeting her with a smile and taking her order. Sam set her staff against the wall, not expecting to need it. Not that the Master Airbender needed it anyway. Her drink was set before her, saying thanks she took a sip of the hot tea. She hoped this waterbender could provide some intelligence, she didn't like running ops when they didn't get anything out of them.

[Froggy]

Leilani sipped at her tea, allowing her eyes to close and rest for a moment. She was glad that she had taken the time to relax, as she would need to be well rested for her meeting with the General. She had never met with him before and was unsure what to expect as far as his terms were concerned, or his overall demeanour.

After she finished her cup she set it on the table and left a tip, before stepping up and grabbing her backpack. She stretched and yawned a little, before making her way out of the tea shop. She had a slight feeling of unease as she rounded the corner into the alley, but knew it was necessary to travel that way in order to reach the palace. She paused for a moment and began digging in her backpack for her jar of water, and placed it in her pocket as a means of assuring herself. She then placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, muttering to herself about being so silly.

"Still," she said to herself as she continued down the alley. "They could have at least provided an escort," she mumbled, holding on to her backpack straps.

[Ushima]

Raiden sighed, there was nothing to do and he was bored out of his mind.

~

Sam finished her tea, left a nice tip on the table, and followed the girl out of the shop. She immediately jumped ontop of a nearby building to better stalk her target. She made no noise as she did this, airbenders were known to be light on their feet. Sam watched as the girl made her way down an alley. "She's making it to easy." She pulled up her mask and hopped to the next building. Following for a bit Sam dropped down behind the girl. "Where do you think you're going?"

[Froggy]

Leilani rounded another corner and sighed, her grip tightening on her sword. She wasn't sure where this feeling of unease came from, but something about this area made her stop and take out her jar of water. She opened the jar and bended the water out, and took her sword out of her sheath. She then bended the water onto the sword and formed it into ice, and doing so made her feel much safer.

She could see the light coming from nearby streets and her pace increased a little, until she heard a voice from behind. The first thing she had been told to do if she were ever attacked was to get rid of her backpack by any means necessary, as she had spent the past few weeks drilling the information it contained into her head.

She reached into her pocket for a rather large lighter and turned around to face whomever it had been that had spoken, and saw a woman dressed in black. "What concern am I, a mere traveler, to you?" Leilani asked, doing her best to play innocent. She had her sword down and a hand behind her back, preparing to light her backpack on fire the second things got bad.

[Ushima]

"Don't lie to me girl. I know you're a Water Tribe Emissary." Sam took a step closer. "I've been tracking you for the past week. I finally caught up with you yesterday evening but by then I was to tired to capture you. But today I'm just full of energy!" A large gust of air came through the alley, causing Sam's long red hair and robes to billow dramatically. "I'd take that hand off that lighter if I were you." Sam wagged a finger at her. "If there's nothing to take back my boss will have to interrogate you. And he isn't the most delicate when pumping someone for information."

Raiden was actually very brutal with male prisoners when trying to get information. Most people choose not to mention that he's actually polite to female prisoners, they just want to strike fear into their opponent. "I'm sure you have heard of him, everyone one has. The Pheonix Prince." This was a tactic Sam often used, psychological warfare. Make the enemy so scared they either surrender or their combat effectiveness takes a huge dive. Sam twirled her staff (http://wakpo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/staff9.jpg), the end had a large hook. The flow of wind got heavier as Sam advanced on the smaller girl.

[Froggy]

"Don't lie to me girl. I know you're a Water Tribe Emissary. I've been tracking you for the past week. I finally caught up with you yesterday evening but by then I was to tired to capture you. But today I'm just full of energy!"

Leilani took a step back and stared at her in silence, the woman's words sinking in like a rock at the bottom of a pit. How did she know who she was, and how did she have so much information about her? "How-" Leilani wanted to ask, as the large gust of wind blew through the alley. This is when things were getting bad, and Leilani took the opportunity to light the lighter.

"I'd take that hand off that lighter if I were you. If there's nothing to take back my boss will have to interrogate you. And he isn't the most delicate when pumping someone for information."

Leilani hesitated at the woman's words...interrogation? She hadn't been trained as to how to handle this situation, and everyone had assured her that the risks involved would be minimum. But still...her mother had been injured because of this war, and her sister was an innocent bystander constantly facing the weekly attacks. She could not be fooled by this woman's psychological attacks, her tribe and surrounding tribes depended on her far too much. She balled up a piece of paper in her hand and stuck it inside her backpack, leaving a piece out as she took another step back. "This...will start the war," Leilani began, raising the lighter to the paper. She could feel the heat as the flame grew behind her back.

"If you capture me and delay the alliance between the water nation and the earth nation, then the nations will have no choice but to go to war," Leilani tried to delay the woman's attack by any means necessary. She was sweating as the flames began to grow, as the backpack was still on her back. She planned on tossing it once she was sure enough damage had been done, and that the flames were large enough.

"I'm sure you have heard of him, everyone one has. The Pheonix Prince."

"The...the," Leilani stuttered, her eyes widening in shock. At this point she knew it was a matter of kill this woman, or be captured and then killed soon after. In other words, this was a life or death situation she was facing. The blaze on the backpack had gotten closer to her back, and she took the opportunity to toss the backpack, pleased to see that a majority of the contents were melting away.

And then she noticed that the wind was growing stronger. She looked back at the woman and screamed as she charged her, wind blowing all around them. Leilani raised her sword and allowed the water to mold into a whip that extended five feet out of the sword, before slashing her sword (and whip) directly at the woman. She knew that if she did not defeat this woman, who appeared to be a skilled airbender, maybe even a master airbender, that she would have to face the Fire Prince himself.

[Ushima]

Sam frowned as she watched the burning pack fall to the ground. "Tch. That was a big mistake." To Sam it seemed as if this girl had a sort of death wish. "Why would they ever make a stupid girl like you a diplomatic messanger? I mean seriously that was possibly the dumbest thing you could've done! With those files he wouldn't even need to interrogate you." Sam rushed forward, using her airbending to help launch her forward.

~

Raiden sat down cross legged on the ground in his tent. Several candles were lit and incense was buring. He took a deep breath, causing the flames to shrink. Letting out a breath they returned to normal size. He was deep in meditation.

~

Sam swung the staff, it came down hard onto the sword. She noted the blade was covered in ice, adding another dangerous element to it. She sometimes wished she was a fire bender so she could melt the blade. But she was an airbender, she had to play the cards she was dealt. The weapons clashed with each other, Sam caught the girl in the stomach with the end of her staff. She herself got a nice cut on he leg, but right now her body was pumping to much adrenalin to notice. "Give up girl, you can't beat me. I might convince Raiden to go easy on you."

[Froggy]

"Why would they ever make a stupid girl like you a diplomatic messanger? I mean seriously that was possibly the dumbest thing you could've done! With those files he wouldn't even need to interrogate you."

"I would sacrafice myself for the survival of my nation," Leilani said at once in regards to her burning the backpack. "I know every piece of information inside that backpack, so that in the event of my capture the information would be stored safely, in a place that no one else could see," Leilani said, referring to herself as the safe place. "He will kill me before I reveal the information," Leilani said, raising her sword in preparation for the attack.

Leilani was knocked over by the force of the woman's staff, and her breath was knocked out as well. She was on the ground, gasping for air. She has lost control of the ice and the water had melted into the ground, and her adrenaline was pumping. She had to find a source of water, and quick, before she was doomed to face the fire prince.

She closed her eyes and concentrated on finding a source of water- she was searching every nook and cranny of every building, every pipe, every crack in the ground, but nothing...and then, a small trickle of something. Her eyes were still closed and her breathing still shallow, she grasped at the trickle and tried to bring it to life. She could feel the flow of the tiny water particles and smiled, not realizing that she had in fact found the water located in the airbender's bloodstream.

She opened her eyes and smirked, bending her hands in an attempt to bring forth the water. Her eyes were darting back and forth, behind the woman and back to her, but she still did not see any water. And then she noticed the woman's cut bleeding more steadily than it should, and a look of shock appeared on Leilani's face.

"Give up girl, you can't beat me. I might convince Raiden to go easy on you."

"Yes I can," Leilani said, standing up quickly as reality shook back in. She searched for the water source again and cursed when she could not find it. She was making every motion in the scrolls themselves to bring forth water, staring at the wound on the airbender's leg. Leilani cursed again, and took a step back, wondering how she had managed to bend her blood before and why she was unable to do so now. And then she took off running down the alley.

[Ushima]

Sam sighed as the girl ran away. "Why do they always run?" She chased after the girl. Once she was close enough she started bending air around her. The vortex was slowly sucking the air out. It didn't take long for the girl to pass out from lack of oxygen. Once she was just a heap on the ground she started digging into in her pouch. "Where is that...aha!" Sam pulled out a bison whistle and blew it. Looking back over her shoulder she watched the remnants of the bag burn away, lost forever.

A low rumble filled the air as a sky bison landed on the ground. It approached it's master. "Hey girl." Sam rubbed the bison's head. "Ready to go back to Raiden?" The bison just licked Sam who squealed. "Alright! But first we have some cargo." Sam collected the girl and her weapon before getting on the bison. "Yip! Yip!"

~

Raiden was still meditating. He felt strangely at peace. Like nothing could bother him. That Everything was right in the world. "Sir. Sam has returned." Well that feeling didn't last long. Raiden snorted, the candles snuffed out, leaving nothing but small plumes of smoke. Raiden stood, grabbed a black shirt with the fire nation emblem on the front in red, and left his tent. Two armored soldiers flanked him as he approached the sky bison. A few others gathered to welcome back the airbender.

"Raiden!" Sam greeted. "Guess what I brought back!"

"I have no time for games Sam. Did you complete your mission?" Raiden crossed his arms.

"You're no fun." Sam dropped to the ground. "As for me completing my mission I did...well not exactly." Sam looked behind her as she watched two guards drag the girl off the bison. "She burned the intelligence so I got the next best thing."

"Take her to a cell!" Raiden ordered. The two guards carried the girl off. A third came up to Raiden and gave him her sword. "Thank you." The man followed after the other two. "I'll interrogate her in a bit. First get Nisa some food." Raiden gave Nisa, the bison, a gentle pat on the side. Nisa let out a rumble of joy. She liked Raiden, his touches were always warm and soothing. Raiden returned to his tent, to think up a strategy he could possibly use against the girl.

[Froggy]

Just as Leilani thought she would make it to the streets, she began feeling the air swirl around her in a vortex-like manner. She began to feel dizzy and light headed, and wondered what was happening. "What are you-" Leilani tried to ask, but it was far too late. She could feel herself slipping away into blackness, and her legs felt like jello beneath her as she fell to the ground, out like a light.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When she woke next, she was in a holding cell. The coldness of the room made her shiver and gasp for air, coughing as she looked around. Her throat was dry, and her breaths were heavy. The room was white, with nothing more than a cot that she was laying on. Black bars were holding her there, and she shivered at the sight.

Her thoughts traveled to the Fire Prince, and she curled up in a ball at the thought of interrogation. So many questions were running through her head, and she began developing a mental barrier to help her handle the stressful situations to come. She closed her eyes and locked them closed, searching the room for any signs of water. When she found none she sighed, disappointed. Instead she just laid there, her eyes closed and her body still, in hopes of deceiving them that she was still unconscious.

[Ushima]

"So what are you gonna do?" Sam asked. She was sitting on Raiden's bed, bandaging her leg.

"Well she's a girl so my usual methods pretty much went out the window." Raiden sighed as he sat at his desk. The girl's katana sitting before him. He reached out and picked it up, slowly drawing it out of it's sheath. The blade was impressive, but could she actually use it he wondered. He knew of one person who carried weapons just to look tough and could hardly fight. Returning the blade he stood up.

"Show time." Sam followed after Raiden.

Raiden walked over to the cade holding the girl. Two guards were watching her. He took a big thick piece of wood and ran it back and forth across the bars. The noise was very irritating. "Come on get up." Raiden ordered. "We have some talking to do."

[Froggy]

"Come on get up. We have some talking to do."

Leilani jumped at the sound of the wood on the bars, and opened her eyes as though she were waking up for the first time. She coughed a few times from the dryness in her throat, and reached for her chest. Looking up she saw the airbender, and whom she could only assume to be the Fire Prince himself.

He was more intimidating than she thought, and she looked at him with worry. "We do," Leilani agreed, glaring at the airbender. She sat up and walked over to the bars, holding her shoulders up proudly as she glared at the airbender. "First, let's talk about the events that occured today, and then we'll go into a little more detail," Leilani said, shifting her gaze to the Fire Prince.

She knew she was asking for it, but she was trying to delay the interrogation for as long as possible. "Let's talk about a woman that I have never met before confronting me in an alleyway, and then striking me in the chest with her staff. But it gets better!" Leilani said, pacing the cell now. At this point she was really just grasping for straws, trying to think of any possible distraction. "Then, just when I think I had a chance, she sucked the air out of me and I wake up in a cage in the middle of-" she looked around at the room- "Of where the hell am I?" she asked, confused now.

She knew she was rambling, and planned on rambling about the most insignificant details as possible, and avoiding whatever questions he asked, and planned on giving him few opportunities to actually question her. "As for the detail I mentioned before," Leilani said, pacing around the cage and occasionally looking at him. "Let's talk about my mother and sister," she paused, and looked up at the Fire Prince. "Let's talk about how each week my tribe faces constant attacks and raids, and how my mother was nearly killed in one such attack. Let's talk about how she is still recovering, and if I am not home on time, how it will affect her recovery with worry," Leilani said, wishing there was any water in the room.

She sat down on the cot again and looked up at the two of them, her facial features sunken, the weeks of traveling catching up to her. She appeared before them now as very weak and tired, and travel worn. Hopefully the little rant of hers would delay the questioning. She looked at the airbender and raised an eyebrow. "Tell me, was it worth the pain of removing your tattoos to conceal your identity?" Leilani asked lightly, frowning at the girl.

Leilani swallowed hard and coughed, leaning her head against the wall lightly. "If you want me to talk about anything else, you may as well kill me now rather than waste your time," Leilani said, closing her eyes, not wanting to delay the inevitable.

[Ushima]

"Of course it was worth it!" Sam snapped. Raiden held his arm out to stop Sam. "Sorry."

Raiden cleared his throat before he spoke. "I'm sorry about the misfortune the has fallen upon your family. Seems those rebel inssurectionists aren't just my problem." Raiden's voice was monotone, devoid of any emotion. His eyes locked with the girl's but they were empty of any light he used to have as a child. "I spent much of my early teenage years trying to wipe them out."

Another guard approached carrying a small corcked leather bag and a chair. "Sir." Raiden took both and order a guard to open the cell. He entered the cell, placed the chair down a few feet from the cot and sat. Raiden tossed the water skin to the girl.

"Drink, you must be thirsty." Raiden heard the click of the cell. He was locked in with the the girl. But he was not affraid, he was confident that if the girl tried something he could easily end her. Raiden crossed his right leg over his left and crossed his arms. "I believe introductions are in order. I don not want to call you girl the entire time you are a guest here. You may call me Raiden."

"I call him hot head." Sam spoke.

"Thank you Sam." Raiden didn't need to turn and glare to cause Sam to shiver. His voice held all the threat and it didn't even change in the slightest. Raiden was indeed a very scary person. "All I require from you is some information about the dealings between the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe. What is being exchanged. Please, I want to release you as soon as possible. Answer these questions and you might be out by the evening and on your way."

[Froggy]

"Of course it was worth it!"

Leilani took a step back at the woman's outrage to her question. It appeared as though Leilani was pulling the psychological strings this time. She watched as the fire prince raised an arm out to stop the woman, and raised an eyebrow at the pair...they seemed close. "She calls you her boss, but you seem closer than that," Leilani commented, going back to the cot.

"I'm sorry about the misfortune the has fallen upon your family. Seems those rebel inssurectionists aren't just my problem. I spent much of my early teenage years trying to wipe them out."

Leilani looked at the Fire Prince, confused by his words. "Irony," she said sarcastically. "We were under the impression that they were't rebells at all," Leilani said, her voice still sarcastic, although it was becoming hoarse now. She was being sarcastic with him for the most part because she did not trust anything he said, and because she was waiting on the interrogation the airbender had told her of earlier. How he wasn't the most delicate when interrogating others, and so far she had yet to see this side of him...and she had to admit, that made her nervous.

"Drink, you must be thirsty."

Leilani watched as he entered the cell with a chair and a waterskin, eying the waterskin and shifting her gaze back to him as he sat down near the cot. She caught the waterskin easily as he tossed it to her, and for a moment she debated whether or not to drink it. She knew it not poison, but she still did not trust him. "I'm fine," Leilani said, a little stubbornness in her voice as she set the waterskin down. It was clear she was still angry and that she did not trust them.

"I believe introductions are in order. I don not want to call you girl the entire time you are a guest here. You may call me Raiden."

Leilani chuckled slightly at his words, and the irony in which they held. "And you may call me Leilani," Leilani said, subtly scooting over on the cot, further away from Raiden. "You must forgive me for laughing, as I was under the impression that guests are not normally housed in cages," Leilani said, her voice harsh and sarcastic. "Nor are they usually...invited, by crazed airbenders," Leilani said, taking the opportunity to stand up and pace to the other wall of the cage, leaning against the bars.

"Thank you Sam."

Leilani shivered lightly at the tone in his voice, and noticed that Sam was shivering as well. So much for them being close, Leilani thought.

"All I require from you is some information about the dealings between the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe. What is being exchanged. Please, I want to release you as soon as possible. Answer these questions and you might be out by the evening and on your way."

Leilani stiffened and pressed herself against the bars, and her body was still as a statue minus her irregular breathing. "As I said before," Leilani said, gripping onto the bars tightly. "You may as well kill me now less you waste your time, because there is a reason I burned those documents," Leilani said, frowning at Raiden. "Just as you have duties to your nation, I have responsibilities to mine...and my silence is one of them," Leilani said, releasing her grip on the bars.

Her body relaxed just enough to be visible, but on the inside she was still nervous as she made her way back to the cot, and sat closer to the Fire Prince. She wanted to show that she was not afraid of what was to come, and that she was ready to hold her silence through anything.

[Ushima]

"Tch whatever." Raiden got up, grabbed the chair and left the cage. He wasn't gonna waste his time when all he'd get was shut down. The door slammed closed with a loud crash and the lock went back on. Raiden handed the chair back to the guard. "I want three guards stationed here at all times."

"Yes sir!" The guards saluted to their commander as he walked back to his tent. Sam shot Lelani a sneer before walking off after Raiden.

Back in the tent Raiden sat at his desk. Sam rushed in. "Well that didn't work."

"On the contrary. It all went according to plan." Sam quirked an eyebrow. "No one just gives information right away. Be patient Sam, something will happen."

"Alright if you say so." Sam moved toward the tent exit. "Who knows, she might be what you need to lighten up a little." Raiden grunted and Sam finally left.

Raiden went to the tent entrance and held the flap open. He gazed at the setting sun. It was a beautiful sight. The mix of colors, reds, oranges, pinks. "I'm sorry you guys can't see this anymore." Raiden hung his head as he returned to the the tent to get ready for bed.

[Froggy]

"Tch whatever."

Leilani scooted back as he stood up, almost expecting him to take a more drastic route in the interrogation. She was surprised when he grabbed the chair and left the cage, ordering there to be three guards at all point in time. Leilani sighed as he left, and curled up on the cot, ignoring the guards.

If she really wanted to play with them, she could bend the water in the leftover waterskin, but she didn't really feel like getting burned. There was an old saying: don't play with fire.

So instead she just turned over and closed her eyes, wishing there was at least a blanket for the cold room. She refused to drink the water out of pure spite, and she was suffering from it more than anyone right then. She began looking for any sign of water in the room apart from that in the water skin, and began searching every nook and cranny. She was falling into a deeper sleep, but she could still see the room in brilliant shades of blues and greens, despite the fact that she was in a metal cage.

She could see three sources of trickling, flowing water, and reached out towards that water. At this point she was nearly drooling from her deep sleep, and snapped out of it when she heard a scream and scurrying. "What happened?" a guard asked, and she looked up to see one of the guards on the ground, and her hands stretched out. "She bended my blood!" the guard said, and the others looked at her in shock.

"Prince!" one of the guards shouted, and Leilani backed into the wall. How did she bend his blood, when she was only sleeping? "I was only sleeping!" Leilani shouted, terrified of the idea of seeing Raiden again. "Please, I didn't mean to- I didn't even know what I was doing," Leilani said. By then it was too late...one of the guards had ran towards Raiden's tent.

[Ushima]

Raiden had his shirt off and was sitting on his bed pulling the last of his boots off. He reached up and removed his belt, so now his pants were a little baggy but it was comfortable at least. His mouth turned into a frown as he heard shouts from outside. "My lord!" The tent flap was ripped open and Zen was standing there, Sam was behind him peering into the tent. "There's been complications."

He burst from the tent, the other two flanking either side. "What happened?"

"Apparently she can blood bend." Raiden's feet stomped louder as he picked up the pace.

A ring of fire encircled the cage. Three rings of lightning arced across the bars. There was no getting out. "You really have a nack for getting yourself into deep shit don't you?" Raiden, Zen and Sam stepped through the flames, Raiden bending them out of the way for Sam. The flames lit up his body, showing several scars. Some large and jagged and others small and thin. Each was a varried shade of pink. "Zen."

"Yes my lord." Zen saluted.

"Bind her hands." Raiden ordered.

"At once my lord." Getting some rope Zen entered the tent with two others and binded Kekani's wrists.

"I was hoping to avoid this sort of treatment." Raiden spoke. Once the men were out of the cage he cancelled the fire and lightning. "Remember, constant vigilance."

[Froggy]

Leilani had backed all the way to the other side of the cage when she saw the Fire Prince approaching. The look on his face terrified her, to the point that she huddled in the corner in fear. She hadn't even known what she had done, until it was far too late. "It was an accident!" Leilani screamed as a ring of fire encircled the cage.

She jumped to the center as three archs of lightening encircled the bars, and she looked like a scared rabbit facing a lion. "I didn't even know I'd done it!" Leilani shouted, terrified at his display of sheer power. She cowered further towards the back of the cage, although she was careful not to touch the lightening surrounding her.

"You really have a nack for getting yourself into deep shit don't you?"

"I didn't know what I'd done!" Leilani tried to reason, but by then it was too late as they were already stepping through the ring of fire. "I was asleep and I woke up to screaming, and the guard said I'd bended his blood!" Leilani said, trying to explain what had happened. She wiped her cheek and noticed that she still had a trace of drool on it. "I still have drool on my cheek to prove it!" Leilani said fearfully.

"Bind her hands."

"No!" Leilani screamed fearfully, struggling against the man as he came at her with rope. She struggled against the men, and it took two of them to hold her down while the man Zen binded her wrists behind her back. "Please, it was an accident...I won't do it again," Leilani begged, struggling against the rope. They made sure the rope was tight, and she stopped moving at once.

"I was hoping to avoid this sort of treatment. Remember, constant vigilance."

Leilani's eyes began to tear up as she laid there, limp on the ground. "It was an accident, please Raiden," Leilani begged, and she wondered if he would ever listen. "I didn't know what I was doing. I was asleep and I was looking for water, and the next thing I knew, there were little trickles of water. Then they flowed quicker and quicker, and I woke up to screaming," Leilani said, looking at Sam. "The same thing happened when you attacked me, only I couldn't do it again once I'd realized what had happened. It just happened by accident," Leilani said, still fearful of the Prince's wrath she had experienced.

"I'm sorry," Leilani said, curling up into a ball on the ground. She couldn't move, the ropes were too tight on her wrists and they hurt every time she tried. Tears were rolling down her cheeks, and she closed her eyes. She could see the similar shades of blues and greens as before, and opened her eyes. She knew what happened when she saw color after her eyes had closed, and did not want for that to happen again. "It's like...every time I close my eyes here, I see things. Colors. Shades of blues and greens resembling water, some feint, but others strong."

Leilani closed her eyes again and a ring of black was around the cage, indicating where the fire had sucked all the water out. "When I...look in your direction, I see bright shades of blue mixed in with black. It's very clear. I can sense six trickles of water, and Sam's appear to be more of a green." Leilani opened her eyes and didn't see anything, just regular color. "But when I open my eyes I don't see anything, just normal." Leilani said, frowning as though she were confused.

Every time she closed her eyes she saw the shades of blue. It was like changing from a holograph back to reality, and it was very disorienting. "I don't know how to stop it...it just keeps happening. What can I do?" Leilani asked, nearly looking feint. She didn't realize that this was a reaction to her being caged, to the close feeling of immediate danger that Raiden brought every time he entered the cage. She didn't realize that this was her body's response to pure, natural fear.

[Ushima]

Raiden left the holding cell, his mood sour. So he was pretty much normal. "Wow a blood bender." Sam exlaimed. "Haven't dealt with one of those in a long time."

"Yes Lelani seems to not have awaken all her talents." Raiden entered his tent. The last bit of light slipped bellow the horizon. It was officially night. "This changes things, only slightly." Raiden rubbed his eyes, a bit tired. "Get some rest. We got a lot of rest a head of use tomorrow. We finally dug out the base so we're moving into it at first light."

"Finally I was getting tired of being out doors." Sam stretched, yawning as she did. "Night boss."

Zen saluted. "Sir!" Raiden saluted back and watched the two retreat to their tents.

~

The prince collapsed onto his cot. He couldn't get to sleep. Insomnia was normal for him but the reason for it tonight was not. He couldn't get Leilani out of his mind. Her words from earlier still rang in his ears. Her expression of total fear etched into his memories. Sighing he rolled out of bed and balled up his blanket. Leaving his tent he made for her cell. Several torches were stuck in the ground around the camp providing enough light to see. But he memorized the layout so he didn't need it. Once he was at the cell he stood there, watching her. He could hear sobs and it gave him a strange feeling. "Leave us."

"Sir." The guards dispersed.

Raiden approached the cage. "Hey, Leilani. It's me. Can we talk?" Raiden whispered, instead of the deep tones he normally used.

[Froggy]

After Raiden and the others left, Leilani laid there motionless. The blues and greens were becoming less frequent, and it was turning back to blackness when she closed her eyes...which was relieving. The ropes around her wrists hurt, and she found that they rubbed her skin every time she tried to move, or change positions...so basically she was stuck on the ground, exactly as she had been left.

She still remembered the fire and lightening Raiden had displayed, and shivered at the thought. Her thoughts traveled to her mother, and to her tribe and the earth nation. The Earth General was surely searching every nook and cranny of Omashu looking for her, but she knew that those searches would come up empty. Her mother would be sick with worry when she found out that Leilani had not arrived at the Palace, and that she was nowhere to be found. The thoughts made her sob, and she closed her eyes again. She looked up at the stars and prayed to the first one she saw. "Just get this over with...what do I have to do?" she asked them, not caring if the guards heard her or not.

"Leave us."

Leilani jumped lightly as she heard Raiden's voice, and looked up to see him approaching the cage. She had not expected to see him again, and was even more surprised to see that he had a blanket in his hands. What was he doing?

"Hey, Leilani. It's me. Can we talk?"

Leilani was even more surprised by the whisper in his voice than the blanket in his hands. She had grown so use to the deep, frightening tone in his voice that she did not imagine him capable of anything else. She nodded her head, wiping her face on her shoulder. "What...do you want?" Leilani asked, although not in the same, sarcastic tone she held earlier...she was far too tired for that, and for some reason she did not feel as threatened by this visit as others.

[Ushima]

Raiden unlocked the cage and entert, slowly closing the door behind him unlike the usual slams from his previous visits. He stood there, watching her a bit, before moving closer. "I forgot there wasn't one in here and I thought you might be cold." He offered the blanket but realized he was probably the last person she'd every take something from, remembering how she put aside the waterskin, so he put it on the cot. Once he stepped back he got a look at her again. She was prety, there was no denying that. She also didn't seem quite as fearful as before.

"I want to apologize about earlier. The situation could have been handled differently and it's my fault for not realizing that." Raiden, when playing the entire event back in his mind, saw that there were far better options. "I'm sorry." He said the two words so few ever get to hear, and he actually meant it this time. Glancing down he eyed her bound wrists. "Here let me...." Raiden got down on his knees and took hold of her hands. They were very smooth in his while he gently carressed the top of her left hand with his right thumb. Assuring her, hopefully, that he wasn't there to hurt her.

He undid her bindings, freeing her wrists. "There." Many who knew Raiden would be surprised by his voice, how soft it sounded, and be surprised how gentle he was being with the girl. He still knelt before her for awhile, just taking in the silence. He didn't know how to procceed. He found the waterskin on the ground, still full. Raiden reached out and grabbed it. "You've been here awhile and haven't had anything to drink? If you're worried about poison I assure you it's not, see." Raiden uncorked and took a short swig of water. "There." Raiden put the waterskin into her hands, his fingers lingering a few moments longer than they should have. "Is there anything else you would like?" He asked.

[Froggy]

"I forgot there wasn't one in here and I thought you might be cold."

Leilani raised an eyebrow as he entered the cage with the blanket, and set it on the cot. "Thank you," she said, more out of politeness than anything. She was surprised by his words, it was almost as though he were a completely different person than before. Almost as though he were displaying the human side of himself, rather than just the power-controlling interrogater as he was before.

"I want to apologize about earlier. The situation could have been handled differently and it's my fault for not realizing that. I'm sorry."

Leilani bit her lip...was this a different means of interrogation, to earn her trust, or was this real? "I understand...I didn't mean to hurt the guard, I didn't even realize what I was doing until it was too late," Leilani said, frowning as she looked down. She sighed and looked at the ground, wondering where he was going with this. She was uncomfortable in so many ways that she squirmed a little, stretching her legs out in an attempt to make herself comfortable.

"Here let me...."

The look of surprise on her face when he took her hands was clear. While his touch was warm and smooth, it also confused and frightened her. She still didn't know if this was a new tactic of interrogation or if he was being genuine. Still, she preferred this side of Raiden than the one she had seen originally. "You are...confusing me," Leilani said finally, looking at him over her shoulder. He was confusing in so many ways, but she was trying to find the most confusing to ask him the answer.

"You've been here awhile and haven't had anything to drink? If you're worried about poison I assure you it's not, see."

Leilani laughed lightly at his statement, and rubbed her wrists once they were free. She was sitting just a few feet from him, and was examining her red wrists. "I'm not worried about poison," Leilani said, chuckling lightly at her own spitefulness. "It's more out of spite...I figure if I'm going to die here, then I may as well speed things up," Leilani said, shrugging as though she had gotten use to the idea. "But that's what I'm confused about..." Leilani said, looking at Raiden curiously. "Before, the only feeling you gave me was that I was going to die. Now...I'm not so sure and it's more confusing than you could imagine. I prayed to the first star I saw, to let this be over soon." Leilani said, shaking her head lightly as her thoughts traveled back to her mother.

"Is there anything else you would like?"

She took the waterskin from him and looked at it. On one hand she wanted to continue to see this side of him, and on the other she wasn't sure whether or not she would die, and didn't want to drink if that would be the case. Leilani forced a smile as she looked up at him. "If I'm not going to die, you might want to consider bathroom privledges soon," Leilani said, frowning now. She really, really had to go and knew that she wouldn't take anything from him if he put her in that humiliating situation. "I've been cooped up all day and my nerves aren't exactly in the right place now after all," Leilani said, shrugging lightly as she set the water skin down, figuring that now wasn't the best time to drink from it.

[Ushima]

"You are...confusing me,"

"Believe me, I get that a lot." Raiden was a very complex person. To most people the deeper you dig into his psyche the more confused you become. There are twists, turns, dives, dead ends. It just so straining on most they tend to give up rather quickly. "Certain situations require different aspects of my personality to take over."

"I'm not worried about poison. It's more out of spite...I figure if I'm going to die here, then I may as well speed things up."

"You should swallow that pride. It leads to nothing but trouble. I've seen it before, been part of it." Raiden's hand, upon reflex to the memory conjured in his head, went up to a scar on his bare chest. It was about two inches long and a quarter inch thick. A close call, a very close call.

If I'm not going to die, you might want to consider bathroom privledges soon. I've been cooped up all day and my nerves aren't exactly in the right place now after all."

"How can you go to the bathroom if you haven't had anything to drink all day?" He teased, though the darkness hid his smirk. He stood up and walked to the door. Opening it he stepped out, the door hung open still. "Well?" Raiden turned to look at her. "Are you coming?"

[Froggy]

"Believe me, I get that a lot."

"Hmmm, so it's not just me then," Leilani said, raising an eyebrow lightly at him. "It is very confusing to see one side of you, and then an exact polar opposite. I understand that you have responsibilities to your nation, but you seem...lost in those responsibilities. Perhaps if you weren't so..." Leilani tried to think of the word. "...I hate to use this word, but it's the only one I can think of to describe it, controlling, people might open up more and it might make things easier for you. One minute I think you're going to kill me, and the next you're offering a blanket...it's just strange," Leilani said, hoping he understood the meaning of her words.

"You should swallow that pride. It leads to nothing but trouble. I've seen it before, been part of it."

Leilani watched his hand and shivered as she looked at the scar on his chest, wishing for a fleeting moment that she could heal it. "I'll swallow that pride and drink the whole water skin if you promise I'm not going to die here," Leilani said, looking at him seriously. She picked up the water skin and opened the cork to prove that she wasn't bluffing.

"How can you go to the bathroom if you haven't had anything to drink all day?"

"Well, y'know Raiden, there is such a saying that goes along the lines 'scared shitless,'" Leilani said, raising an eyebrow lightly at him. "I believe that fits rather accordingly with this situation," Leilani said, standing up as he made his way to the cage door.

"Are you coming?"

"Lead the way," Leilani said, careful with her movements. Now that she was beginning to see a kinder side of Raiden, she did not want to ruin that and go back to the frightful person she had seen before. She kept her hands together and she walked beside him, so that he could still see her. "So how does this work?" Leilani asked, turning to glance at him nervously. "You aren't going to let me go until I talk, and I'm not going to talk. So now what?" Leilani asked, gazing forward now for fear of seeing his expression darken.

[Ushima]

"You aren't going to let me go until I talk, and I'm not going to talk. So now what?"

"Well it all comes down to you. Don't try to run, which I know you aren't, and I won't have to kill you. Simple as that." Raiden leaned against a tree. "You'll find I give you a bit more when you don't try to escape." Raiden crossed his arms. "Bathroom is over there." He pointed to s small wooden structure. "I'll take you for some dinner after." Now that he thought about it he was quite hungry himself. Raidne had skipped dinner in order to meditate a bit longer. "I could go for a meal myself. How lucky, you get to dine with a prince. Isn't that every girl's dream?" He teased.

[Froggy]

"Well it all comes down to you. Don't try to run, which I know you aren't, and I won't have to kill you. Simple as that. You'll find I give you a bit more when you don't try to escape."

Leilani looked at him and bit her lip nervously. What if she accidentally bended someone's blood again? She decided not to ask, and nodded her head instead. "I won't," Leilani said, glancing at the bathroom.

"I'll take you for some dinner after."

Leilani took a step back, slightly shocked. She hadn't though about food all day, although as soon as he said the word dinner her stomach let out a low growl. "I haven't thought about food all day, but now I'm so hungry I could eat a sky bison," Leilani said, shaking her head and mock glaring at him. "Thanks a ton," she said, teasing him slightly.

"I could go for a meal myself. How lucky, you get to dine with a prince. Isn't that every girl's dream?"

Leilani chuckled lightly and blushed. "No, I believe every girl's dream is to be sweapt off her feet by a Prince," Leilani said, smirking at him. She was beginning to feel more comfortable around Raiden, and was learning what was okay and what wasn't okay.

She turned around and made a brisk walk towards the bathroom. Once there, she sat against the toilet and breathed a sigh of relief. Her arms started shaking and small tremors shook her body as tears rolled down her cheek. Despite having gotten to see a kinder side of the Prince, she was still traumatized from the events earlier in the day.

She knew what her capture meant for both the Earth kingdom and the Water nation, and more importantly, for her family. Perhaps she would take this as an opportunity to ask Raiden more about the war, why the Fire and Air nations were going to war with the Earth and Water nations. She wiped her face and cleaned up, doing her best to calm down. She knew that she had to hurry before he started to worry.

She opened the door and stepped out, forcing a smile as she walked back to Raiden. "Thanks," Leilani said, allowing herself to stretch a little, wincing lightly as her joints popped.

[Ushima]

"No, I believe every girl's dream is to be sweapt off her feet by a Prince."

Raiden's faced darkend when an unwlecomed image entered his head. "Is the great Raiden blushing?"

"What are you doing here Sam?" Raiden asked.

"Just checking up." Sam dropped from the tree next to Raiden. "Things are getting interesting."

"I'm just making sure she gets what she needs." Raiden asked.

"Sure, sure." Sam started walking back to her tent. "You know if this wasn't a Fire Nation camp and you weren't holding the girl prisoner. You walking with her at night and taking her to dinner would consist as a date. Night!"

With Sam gone more thoughts filled his head. Shaking his head he was able to regain control of his flushed face by the time Leilani emerged from the bathroom.

"Thanks."

"No problem." Raiden pushed himself off the tree. "This way, the mess tent is over here." Entering the mess tent Raiden lit all the torches, brightening the place. "Please sit." He indicated to one of the tables. He lit a fire underneath a large cauldron. Inside was tomorrow morning's stew. Raiden, of course, had picked the best cooks. Being a prince had it's advantages. He used a white flame to heat the food faster and within minutes it was ready. He got two bowls full, meat and various vegetables. Raiden was only upset that he couldn't find bread.

"Here." He set a bowl down in front of Leilani. He set his down as well before walking away from the table. He grabbed two flagons. One filled with water (http://www.stjudeshop.com/resources/StJudeShop/images/products/processed/k826.zoom.a.jpg) and the other filled with a far stronger substance (http://www.titusomega.com/Images%20-%20stock/ART%20NOUVEAU/Ceramic/peter-behrens-flagon.jpg). Raiden grabbed two cups and returned to the table, taking a seat across from Leilani. He poured her a drink then poured his. The smell was strong, whiskey.

He started to lift the drink to his lips but paused. Memories flashed through his head. "Raiden move!"Incoming!"On the left!"The only thing left for you to take is my life." Voices of those deceassed rang in his head and Raiden blinked back a tear. He downed the drink in one go before pouring another.

[Froggy]

"This way, the mess tent is over here."

Leilani followed closely behind Raiden, careful with her every move. They walked in silence, which she found slightly awkward. Before they reached the mess tent she picked up pace and stood in front of Raiden, handing him the empty water skin. "I made good on my part," Leilani said, looking at him seriously. And she didn't pour it down the drain either.

Leilani sat when she was told to, and watched as he proceeded to light the tent and a large cauldron. The scent of the stew filled the air, and her stomach growled again. 'Shhh,' she thought to her stomach, blushing lightly from embarrassment. "I suppose being a fire bender can have its advantages from time to time," Leilani said, trying to lighten the mood a little.

"Here."

"Thank you," Leilani said, taking in the aroma of the stew. She watched Raiden come back with two flags, and two cups. She could see water in the first flag, and the second flag smelled of something stronger. She bit her lip nervously, this wasn't exactly what she had planned for their big 'dinner' he had talked of. She watched as he poured a glass of whiskey and downed it in one go, and poured himself another one. She watched as he blinked back a tear, and her own heart sunk as though sharing his pain.

She was his prisoner, but she couldn't just sit there and watch the most powerful man she knew cry. She stood, and took her glass of water over to Raiden. She bit her lip lightly before placing a hand over his glass, and pressing down on it. She knelt on the ground next to him and offered him her glass, looking up at him sadly. "When I said lighten up a bit, this isn't exactly what I had in mind," Leilani said, smiling softly at him, still holding her hand on his hand and his cup.

[Ushima]

"When I said lighten up a bit, this isn't exactly what I had in mind,"

"Have you ever seen your friends die?" Raiden asked (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGf2b1H91JA), not looking at her. "Have you ever had to kill someone you cared about?" Raiden's grip tightened on his cup. All this time Leilani kept talking about how much she's suffered at the hands of fire nation rebels raiding her land. But Raiden's story was worse. "To hold a dying boy in your arms as he cries for his mother to come help him, a mother who lies dead not three feet behind you." Raiden stood from the table, his drink spilling. His back was to Leilani. "All because some power hungry leaders trying to expand." Raiden didn't want to admit it but he knew he was a pawn to his grandfather's game, a game his father inherited, a game he'd inherit. Raiden balled his fists, his kncukles cracking, the flame of the cauldron turned black but still roared with fury and cracked loudly.

Raiden was angry, but not at Leilani. "And where is this spirit damned Avatar that is supposed to keep the world balanced?" No one had seen the next avatar since the passing of the Earth Avatar, almost twenty years ago. Raiden didn't want to tell the girl her mission was for some power hungry fools in the Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom. "When does it end?"

[Froggy]

"Have you ever seen your friends die? Have you ever had to kill someone you cared about?"

Leilani stood there and listened to Raiden. She had seen her friends die before, but she had never had to kill someone she cared about. She kept her hand on his cup, even when his body temperature rose.

"To hold a dying boy in your arms as he cries for his mother to come help him, a mother who lies dead not three feet behind you. All because some power hungry leaders trying to expand."

Leilani looked down at his words, a small tear forming in her eye. "So that's what this war is about," Leilani said, shaking her head. She wasn't angry with Raiden so much anymore, but more with his family. It was clear that his family had placed him in so many situations that he did not deserve to be in, and that they had been responsible for his anger and coldness. "And you're just stuck in it like the rest of us," Leilani said sympathetically.

She stood and walked over to his side, pulling his hand into her own. "I'm not trying anything, just trust me on this," Leilani said, making soft bending movements with her hands. She bended the water out of the flag and watched as a floating stream drifted between them. She watched as he balled his fists and listened to the cracking of his knuckles. Gently, ever so gently, she took one of his hands at a time and held them in hers, willing the water to engulf their hands.

The water was cool and soothing, and it caressed her hands as she knew it would his. "You are not the ruler of your nation," she told Raiden, looking into his eyes. "We cannot choose our heritage, and it is sad that misfortune has fallen upon you because of that. But one day, you will be the ruler of your nation. You, and you alone have the ability to make things better," Leilani told him, trying to calm him down.

She did not jump as the fire turned black and crackled loudly. "Out of all the difficulty that has come from your life, just know that it is your life to live and not your fathers or grandfathers. Only you have the ability to make things better, you just have to want to," Leilani said, frowning at him.

"And where is this spirit damned Avatar that is supposed to keep the world balanced? When does it end?"

Leilani continued to hold his hands and looked down at the water linking them together. "I do not have the answers to those questions. We must rely on our own balance until the Avatar arrives, and you are the first step in creating that balance," Leilani said, and she knew she was pushing it at that point but she felt that it needed to be said.

"You have the resources. You have the power. You have the ability, and you have the choice. All you have to do is make a choice," Leilani said, thrusting her hands towards the cauldron, and the black fire extinguished upon contact with the water. "I'll be waiting in my cage," Leilani said, turning around and walking out of the tent. She took off running towards her cage, and closed the bars behind her. The decision was his alone to make, and not hers. She sat on the cot and looked at the moon, the reflection making her eyes appear to be swirling. She sat down on the cot and closed her eyes, finding that the shades of blues and greens were returning. Sighing, she laid down and began focusing on the shades, her body appearing completely limp as though at peace.

[Ushima]

Raiden stood there silently as he listened to Leilani speak. Could he really do that? Fix the world? Someone had to, the avatar wasn't going to, wherever he or she was. So why not the prince? A Fire Nation Prince helped save the world before so why not now? "So how was your 'date'?" That wasn't really the voice he needed right now. He grabbed the flagon on whiskey.

"Shut up." Raiden killed the fires, the tent was dark again. Raiden drank straight from the flagon. His vision became hazy as his body stuggled to remain standing. All that alcohol so fast wasn't good, eespecially since Firewhiskey was the strongest booze around. Sam moved to help Raiden but he held up his name as he walked, or tried to walk, out of the tent and back to his.

"Oh spirits." Sam sighed, leaving the drunken prince to whatever he was up to.

Raiden fell onto his cot. His mind swirling with thoughts he couldn't begin to understand. They drifted from the conflict between nations to Leilani. She was so close to him. He really got a good look at her, her pretty face, those kissable lips. Riden would chalk it up to the booze in the morning for his thoughts taking him down that road, about wanting to have just leanes in an just kiss her. Raiden's eyes closed, mostly to stop the world from spinning. He'd surely have a bit of a hangover tommorow. But for now he slept.

[Froggy]

Soon Leilani fell into a deep sleep, her dreams filled with tidal pools and swirling water. It was as though her mind was wide awake, and as though she were sitting up in the cot looking around the cage. She could see every drop of dew on the grass, and even the few, feint trickles of water from nearby occupants in tents. She was officially out like a light, even if she saw plenty of it.

"What's wrong with me?" Leilani mumbled in her sleep, rolling over in the cot. She realized that she'd rolled over too far when the cot disappeared beneath her and she screamed, falling on her back. "Ooooow," Leilani said, blinking as her vision adjusted back to normal.

Well, she wasn't dead, so that meant that Raiden wasn't going to kill her for her words earlier...which was a good thing. It was still early, before sunrise. She took the time to sit down on the ground and meditate, her occasional yawning interrupting her thoughts. She began to focus on the drops of dew around her, and then began reaching out for other sources of water. Searching every nook and cranny for water, until she found a large stream of cut off sections of water.

She was sitting Indian-style, with her legs crossed and her arms out in front of her. She began to pull at the dew on the grass, and the larger streams of water. It was as though she were being drawn to them, and Leilani focused her attention on a singular dot, that was glowing bright blue and black. Something about this dot seemed familiar, and her arms stretched out towards it as she stood up, in a zombie-like state. "Come here blue dot," Leilani mumbled, drool falling out of her mouth. She began to pull at the dot, her sleepy state not realizing that the familiar blue dot was in fact Raiden's bloodstream on the other side of camp. "Come here pretty dot dot," Leilani mumbled, her speech slurred. "dot, dot, dotty dot," She was sleep-walk/bending, and had pressed herself against the side of the cage, trying to reach the blue dot.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Daisuke sighed, rolling over in his cot. Ever since the waterbender had bended his blood he had felt strange, and wondered exactly what had happened. He had been given a few hours of rest before he had to return watch, but he had been so confused that he had hardly gotten any.

"Stupid waterbender, I could be sleeping by now," Daisuke grumbled, pulling on his boots and fixing his uniform. "Still...she is fairly interesting," Daisuke thought, making his way towards her cell. He was hoping to find her asleep, that way he would not have to deal with her, but as he grew nearer he saw her standing at the bars. "Great," he grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Dot dot, dotty dot," he heard, and he raised an eyebrow lightly as he grew closer.

He noticed that even though she was standing, she appeared to be in a sleep-like state. She was reaching outward, mumbling something about a blue dot.

Blue dot? He looked out towards her arms but didn't see anything except the Prince's tent. Then he remembered what happened the first time he encountered her, how she described blood bending as seeing shades of blues and greens.

"Come here blue dot," the girl said, and he watched briefly as she pulled at the dot. "Oh sh*t!" Daisuke shouted, realizing what she was doing. He opened the bars and rushed in, taking her by her wrists at once. "Zen!" he shouted, as the waterbender was still attempting to bend. "Zen!" She was still in a sleep-like state, and she was struggling against his hold on her. "ZEN!" he finally shouted, wondering where the warrior was. "Don't let this crazed waterbender kill me now," Daisuke thought to himself, doing anything he could to keep her arms away from the Prince's tent.

[Ushima]

People rushed from their tents, torches were lit up, rushing to the cage. The crazy girl was going after Raiden "Grab here!"

Raiden himself was slowly pulling himself out of bed. His head pounding, wanting him to return to bed. And the shouting going on outside wasn't helping either. "What in spirits name is going on out here?" Raiden rubbed his eyes, exiting the tent. Lifting his arms he stretched, letting out a beast like yawn.

"Sir we have a situation." Someone spoke.

"Yeah, yeah." Raiden walked, stumbled, over to the cage. With his hazy vision he could barely make out what was going one. Something about sleep bending. "Wake her up."

"We've tried! Nothing's working!" He's surprised no one thought of splashing the girl with a bucket of water. The irony was not lost on Raiden as he thought about that.

Not wanting to go find a bucket then fill it with water Raiden entered the cage to help. The men holding Leilani held her still. Her arms were still out and he stepped between them. His mind was telling him not to do this, but he couldn't here it over the pounding. He wrapped his arms around her waist, the men let go and left the cage sure their Commander had everything under control. Raiden leaned in and pressed his lips to her's. Gasps came from everyone around as they watched but Raiden didn't here any of it as he continued to kiss Leilani.

[Froggy]

Leilani could see the blue dot growing closer and smiled. It was becomming difficult to move her arms and to bend, but the blue dot was so pretty. She could see it slowly moving her way until it was in front of her, and it seemed as though she were surrounded by a sea of blue dots, with this blue dot the brightest.

She could feel something wrapping around her and her body began to go limp, looking at the blue dot directly in front of her. She felt something warm pressing against her lips, and her vision returned to blackness, the blue dots gone. When she tried to move her lips to speak, she was unable to do so. She opened her eyes and saw Raiden in her arms, and a crowd of people surrounding them. She saw Raiden kissing her and took a step back, a look of confusion on her face.

"What the hell is going on?" Leilani asked, looking at the sea of people and then at Raiden. "Why is everyone up so early, and ...what are you doing here?" she asked, blushing as people continued to gasp at them.

[Ushima]

Raiden groaned, grabbing his head. It really hurt. "Well now that you're up I'm going back to bed. Raiden exited the cage, walking back to his tent. He had hoped to be gone before Sam recovered.

"Raiden and Leilani sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Nope, he didn't make it. Everyone started laughing at the blushing prince, who secluded himself in his tent. "Oh come on Raiden don't be like that!"

He couldn't believe he did that, just went up to her and kissed her. Though what really confused him was that he liked it. He enjoyed holding her. Raiden didn't know if that was him or the hangover talking. "This is so confusing." He held his head in his hand, trying to think. He knew he had something to do but he didn't really feel like moving right now.

"Ok what was that all about?" Raiden groaned as Sam entered. "I mean you just had a 'date' last night and already you're making out with her? Wow you sure do move fast."

"Can we not talk about how I just embarrassed myself in front of all my men?" Raiden pleaded. "I don't know why I did it, it just seemed right."

"I think someone has a crush." Sam ran from the tent to avoid a fireball. "Don't deny it!" Raiden flopped back onto his cot. He needed sleep, his headache was preventing him from doing something important.

[Froggy]

"Well now that you're up I'm going back to bed."

"Dammit Raiden get back here!" Leilani shouted furiously as the crowd began to disperse, slowly. The next thing she knew, Sam was chanting and making fun of them. "Ooooh if only there was a lake to drown her in," Leilani mumbled to herself angrily, crossing her arms. She stomped around the cage for a few more minutes, glaring at the guards as they chuckled at her. "Zip it before I bend your blood," Leilani threatened, knowing full well that she had that ability to scare them now.

One of the guards stood up and she lifted her hands to show that she had only been kidding. "Yeeesh, it was a joke. Get over yourself," Leilani said, pacing the cage now. Seriously, how much longer was Raiden going to keep her cooped up in this little cage? She was starting to grow stir crazy, which wasn't exactly a good thing. At this point she didn't care if she was his prisoner more or less, she felt after he embarrassed her (okay fine, they were both at fault for it), she had the right to do a little shouting of her own.

"Dangit Raiden, get your fire-bending drunk arse back here now!" Leilani shouted, cupping her hands to her mouth as an attempt to project her voice. She stomped her foot on the ground and sighed heavily. "How much longer are you going to keep me in this darn cage Raiden?!" she shouted, pacing the cage again, glaring at the guards.

"RAIDEN!" Leilani shouted, stomping her foot one last time before sitting cross-legged on the ground, her back to the guards. She crossed her arms and pouted, wishing that there was some means of escape. Maybe...maybe Raiden was too drunk to be able to catch her if she ran. But then there was Sam, who was perfectly sober. "Arsewhole," Leilani said to herself, shaking her head in despair as she sat on the ground.

She stood up again almost immediately and walked over to the bars, holding them in a tight grip. "SAM!" she finally shouted, wanting to release her anger on anything she could.

[Ushima]

"Can I help you?" Sam had been walking passed the cage when Leilani yelled her name. "You know now that I think about it, you were just kissed by a prince. Shouldn't you be freaking out by now?"

~

After he had been sleeping for a few hours, he could've sworn someone was yelling his name. When he awoke his head didn't hurt, though the was a slight throb, and he wasn't out of his mind. He quickly put on his clothes and left the tent. His first stop was the supply tent. Some fresh water, rations, new map and other survival essentials he packed in a bag. "Commander?"

"Yes Zen?" Raiden didn't even bother looking up, to focused on his task.

"What are we going to do about that girl? She's causing quite a bit stress around here, what with the blood bending and all." Zen asked. "And then there's your um..."

"You let me worry about that alright?" Raiden closed the bag and tossed it over his shoulder. Zen saluted and stepped to the side, allowing Raiden to exit. Now that was done he stopped by his tent for the last two things he needed. Once he was satisfied everything was in order he went to the cage and found Sam talking to Leilani. "Sam, leave us."

"Oh you want to be alone so you can make out again huh? I see how it is." Sam saw Raiden's glare. "I'm gonna go far away now." Sam airbended herself far away.

Raiden approached the door, opened it. He set the pack, Leilani's sword, and a small red gem on the ground. "Take these, quickly. If you ever come upon any of my men after this moment show them that, they'll leave you alone without question."

[Froggy]

"You know now that I think about it, you were just kissed by a prince. Shouldn't you be freaking out by now?"

Leilani glared at Sam, regretting that she'd ever called her name in the first place. "Do you know what it's like being cooped up here for so long? To know that you can't be there when your own mother finds out that her daughter is missing, probably captured, and possibly dead. To worry about how that will affect her recovery, and to know that when you are eventually released, you still have a mission to complete before you can go back home," Leilani said, her body slumping slightly from exhaustion. "So don't tell me what I should or shouldn't do when the same Prince who kissed me is also holding me captive," Leilani said, crossing her arms and glaring at Sam.

Leilani noticed Raiden walking up with a bag over his shoulder and closed her mouth, unwilling to say anything else. She was suspicious at best when he told Sam to leave them, and then when Sam seemed...jealous? She watched as Sam used her airbending to go away, and almost felt sorry for her...almost. Personally just under an hour ago she was wanting to drown the airbender in a large lake.

"Take these, quickly. If you ever come upon any of my men after this moment show them that, they'll leave you alone without question."

Leilani looked as he dropped the bag, a gem, and her sword on the ground, looking perplexed. She knew what this meant, but it was still taking a moment to register in her head. When it finally clicked, she stood up quickly and wrapped her arms around Raiden, tears of joy rolling down her cheek. "Thank you," she said, her words genuine as she stepped back to look at him. She picked up the bag, her sword, and the red gem. She placed the gem carefully in her pocket and looked back at him.

"Remember what I said," Leilani told him, looking at him in the eyes. "And if you need help...you know where to find me. Always." Leilani said, forcing a smile.

[Ushima]

Raiden blushed when Leilani hugged him. He actually knew what going on this time. "You're welcome." His face flushed.

"And if you need help...you know where to find me. Always."

"I won't forget." Raiden looked to the right. "The south side is empty, everyone is busy in the north section breaking down camp and moving into the outpost. Now would be your best chance to go unnoticed." Raiden leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for your words last night." Raiden turned and walked away. The young man returned to his tent.

~

A couple hours later Raiden was in the outpost's armory. He was straping on his gear, Worldcarver on his back secured. "Sir, the Rhinos (http://www.musogato.com/avatar/official/c_komodorhino.jpg) are ready."

"Excellent. Did Daisuke return with his report?" Raiden looked to Zen.

"Yes. The caravan is approaching the town of Stone Edge." Zen handed Raiden a scroll.

"Hm several escorts. Nothing we can't handle." Raiden rolled it up and handed it back. "We'll see what they're transporting. If my father sends me for it, it must be importnat." Raiden and a group of six elite benders exited the outpost and mounted. Sam was circling overhead on her bison.

"Commander. We're ready to move out." Raiden nodded back to his men.

"We ride to glory!" Kicking his mount the group rode off to complete their mission.

[Froggy]

"I won't forget."

Leilani smiled at Raiden, and hoped that from here on he would be able to make decisions to better his life. "You deserve better than this," Leilani said, looking at him in the eyes. She blinked back a few tears as he spoke, directing her to the south side of the camp. She knew she had a long walk to get to Omashu, and that it would probably be mid-afternoon before she got there.

"Thank you for your words last night."

Leilani blushed as he leaned in to kiss her cheek, and looked down. "Are we making this a regular thing now?" she teased lightly, smiling at him as the Prince turned and walked away. She checked to make sure that no one was watching before she sprinted off through the camp, climbing the wall on the south side. She looked in her bag and was surprised to find water, rations, a map, and other survival essentials. She smiled lightly and took out the map, sighing when she saw that Omashu was at least a good five miles from her current location.

She took off running, wanting to make it there as soon as possible. She had been gone long enough, and did not need to delay her mission any longer.

________________________________

It was near the end of the morning when Leilani arrived at Omashu's gates, and saw the same guards that gave her trouble before. She was exhausted, and on the brink of collapse from her travels. "Take me to the General," Leilani said, and the guard did not object this time. He knew who she was and what had happened, and the look of surprise on his face from seeing her again was enough to throw him off.

"Domonic!" the guard said, and another guard appeared before him. "Sir!" the guard Domonic saluted, glancing at Leilani in shock. "Take her to the General at once. Do not leave her side. Do not steer off course. Be as swift as possible in your arrival," the guard ordered, and Domonic saluted again. "Yes sir!" Domonic said, making his way over to Leilani. "It will be quickest if I carry you, miss," Domonic said, bowing to the water tribe emmissary who had been missing for more than a day's time.

Leilani frowned but nodded her head. "Do what you must," Leilani said, wondering how it would be quicker for him to carry her. The guard picked her up, and the next thing she knew, they were racing to the Palace at top speeds. When she looked down, the earth was moving and pushing his feet forward, almost as though he were using it as super-speeded chairs. "Show off," Leilani said, shaking her head lightly and chuckled as the guard snickered lightly. It was but a mere few minutes before they reached the Palace, and the General came storming down the stairs. "Where have you been?!" were his first words, and Leilani groaned lightly, holding onto Domonic as a means of support to keep her balance.

"Fire nation outpost," Leilani mumbled, before she collapsed onto the ground from sheer exhaustion.

She woke up some time later in a small room with green paint and green bedding, and yawned lightly. Looking out the window she saw that it was night time again, although she couldn't tell how far into the night she'd slept. "A few more hours couldn't hurt," Leilani mumbled to herself, turning over and falling asleep again.

[Ushima]

"Targets sighted." Raiden held a telescope, eyeing the caravan. Moving further up the road he spotted Sam, who was standing next to a broken cart. She was the distraction. "They're stopping. Engage." Raiden pulled up his mask and slid down the slope to the road.

~

"Please help!" Sam waved her arms, trying to attract attention to herself. The group stopped by the girl.

"What seems to be the problem miss?" The man sitting atop the cart asked.

"Well my cart broke down and my Ostrich Horse ran off. Can you help me fix it?" Sam pleaded.

~

Raiden approached a guard, quietly sneaking up behind him. Drawning a dagger he slit his enemy's throat, much more effective than using a fireball. Appraoching the first carriage he opened the back. "Aw fuck." Raiden was blasted back as a blow connected to his chest. Men poured out of the carriages, armed to the teeth.

"Raiden!" Screams of death filled his ears. Opening his eyes he saw his men's bodies on the ground. "Raiden!" That was Sam's voice. Glancing up he saw her on the Sky Bison. Raiden was hauled up off the ground.

"If it isn't the infamous Pheonix Prince." A fist collided with Raiden's face, blood trickled out of his nose and mouth. No one noticed the wind started picking up. "It was only a matter of time before we got you."

"No!" Raiden spat some blood. The air picked up intensity. "You killed my men." His eyes started to glow white and there was a faint white aura around him. The men holding him were blasted back as Raiden started to rise into the air. A big vortex encompassed the area tearing everything apart. "RAHHH!" Raiden yelled.

Sam stared wide eyed as Raiden decimated the area. "Spirits." She had been dodging boulders and couldn't go down to help Raiden.

~

Calming down Raiden lowered to the ground where he promtly passed out. "Raiden!" Sam knelt by his side. "Damn, you're the avatar." Sam hefted Raiden onto her shoulders. "Gah you're heavy." Calling Nisa over the two climbed up. "Back to the outpost girl." The sky bison lifted off, quickly flying toward safety.

[Froggy]

When Leilani woke up next it was night time...again. "What?" Leilani asked quietly, looking at the windows in confusion. "I just woke up a few hours ago and it was night then," Leilani said, sitting up slowly and stretching. She looked around and found her bag in a chair next to the bed, and her sword leaning on the chair. She reached into her pocket and sighed with relief when she found that the stone was still there.

She heard the door open and quickly grabbed her sword, standing up from the bed. She stood up too fast and wobbled a little, light headed from the speed of getting up. "Easy, you've been out for three days now. Perhaps you shouldn't be sword fighting so soon," Domonic said, smiling lightly as he went to help the water bender. He moved slowly over to her and gently took the sword from her hands, and helped her back into the bed.

"Three days?" Leilani gasped, looking at him in shock. Domonic looked out the window. "Three and a half," he corrected, smiling lightly at the girl. "How are you feeling?" he asked her, bowing his head in respect.

Leilani looked out the window, still perplexed. How had she been asleep for three days? And why was she still so tired, and so sore? "Confused. Tired, although I can't believe that one, and sore," Leilani finally answered, looking at the Earth guard. "Does my mother know where I am?" Leilani asked, biting her lip as she looked up at the guard.

"She knows that you have been returned safely and are alive and for the most part, well," Domonic replied, smiling at the girl. "She also wishes to tell you that she is making a swift and speedy recovery," he said, his smile growing. "Thank the spirits," Leilani said, plopping back onto the bed. "Take me to the General, I've wasted too much time as is," Leilani said, standing back up again (slowly) and collecting her belongings, unaware as to what was happening back at the Fire Nation outpost.

[Ushima]

"How long have I been out?" Raiden asked. He was in a room deep in the outpost.

"A couple days." Sam was sitting on the edge of the bed pressing a wert towel to his head. "After dropping you off her I went back with some others to get the bodies and bring back the Komodo Rhinos. We were waiting for you to wake up before we..." Sam didn't finish he sentence.

Raiden slowly sat up, grunting in pain. Sam put a hand to his chest to push him down. "No." He gasped, trying to catch his breath. He got out of bed, he was wearing grey shorts, his chest was bandaged and he had several on his face, a matching grey top was put over his shoulders like a cloak.

"Give the order for the men to gather." Sam looked to Zen, who nodded and ran off. Raiden shakily walked through the halls. He fell a couple times. "Let me help you." Sam grabbed him but he shook her off.

"I have to do this, for them." Using the walls for support he continued to walk. Finally reaching the exit he entered the night. Torches were lit and he could six wooden structures, each one holding one of his fallen soldiers. Gathered around were the rest of his group, they were all watching. "Tonight we mourn great men, who gave their lives for what they held dear, their families, their nation." Raiden envied them, their mission was over. His, however, was just beginning. And he was scared. Could he do it? Lead a revolution? Lifting his hand he ignited the fires and watched, silently as tears fell from his eyes, as the corpses burned and joined the spirits in the afterlife.

"Will you be ok Raiden?" Sam asked.

"I'll be fine." Raiden anserwed. "So I'm the new avatar huh? We got a lot of work to do."

"We?" Sam raised an eyebrow.

"Well going in order I already learned firebending." Raiden smirked. "Someone has to teach me airbending."

[Froggy]

Leilani entered a large room with a large circular table in it, with several figures sitting at it. She bowed her head in respect upon entering the room, knowing that it was the utmost importance she maintain her composure. "We are pleased to see that you have recovered, Leilani," the Earth General said, standing from his chair. She walked over and smiled to him, shaking his hand.

"Thank you for your concern and patience, General," Leilani said, bowing her head once more. "Please, sit," the General told her, indicating to a chair in the middle of the group. Leilani sat as told, and looked at the General. "Upon my arrival in Omashu, I was forced to burn the documents from my tribe and surrounding tribes," Leilani said, frowning. The General's face darkened, but he nodded his head for her to continue.

"I was...greeted more or less, by an airbender with connections to the Fire nation. I fought for as long as I could, but I knew at that point the only choice I had was to burn the documents before my capture. I was rendered unconscious and brought to a Fire Nation outpost some miles out of the city, where I woke up in a cage. For my safety and personal wishes, I would like to keep out a few details from my story if that is okay with you, General," Leilani said, bowing her head once more in respect. Silence.

The General heaved a great sigh and motioned for her to continue, nodding his head in regret. "Thank you," Leilani said, keeping her eyes focused on the General. "Upon waking up I was greeted by the Fire Prince and the airbender who captured me, and the Fire Prince entered the cage. He proceeded to question me but I refused to speak, and the first thing I told him was that I had great trust shown to me by my nation, and that I would not break that trust no matter what he did," Leilani said, ignoring the gasps in the room. She paused, skipping a few sticky details (the blood bending, Raiden's kiss, the stone that was given to her), and explained everything else up to the point of her release.

"Despite being a prisoner of the Fire nation, I see hope in the young Prince," Leilani said, stiff as a board in her seat now. "He explained the groups attacking the water nation tribes were rebels that they had been trying to defeat for years now, and that the war was starting because of his leaders wishing to expand their nations. I could see great sadness in the Prince, and I explained at that point he could turn the tides of the war and help make the world right again. I was released shortly after that conversation and provided with travel essentials, and I could see that the Prince was already starting to change. I believe he will make the right decision to aide our nations, rather than continue his attack," Leilani said, looking down as she finished her story.

The Earth General stood and paced, occasionally stopping to look at her. "Not one person has ever been captured by the Fire nation and escaped unscathed," the General said, looking her over again. "Did they harm you?" he asked, walking back to his chair and sitting down. "No," Leilani said, avoiding looking at the others who gasped once more. "Perhaps your words to the Fire Prince will help bring peace among our nations," the General said, sighing with worry. "I have lost many in the hands of the Fire Prince, but I am inclined to trust your judgement," he told her, and Leilani smiled at the General. "Thank you," Leilani said.

"There is one more thing, General," Leilani said as the General had stood up to leave the room. "While I may have burned the documents, I still know every piece of information that they held," Leilani said, her smile widening. The General looked at her in shock, and sat back down. "I believe I have wasted far too much time in my absence, and that we need to join our nations in wake of the looming war," Leilani spoke, and the General smiled. "I am surprised by the wisedom of one so young," The General spoke, but he nodded.

Leilani proceeded to tell him what had been on the documents, tribe by tribe, word for word, and who had written what. The others looked at her in surprise as she recollected every piece of information that had been in her backpack before she had been forced to burn it. Upon finishing, the General laid out a few of his terms. A document was written between the two of them, with the conditions from each tribe, and the conditions the Earth nation had put together. At the bottom sat the signature of each man in the room, with the General's being on top and proceeding down the line, and Leilani's being at the very bottom. "And so our nations are at peace," Leilani said finally, shaking hands with the General and smiling.

"Yes, it appears as though your mission is over," the General said, smiling at her. "Your mother will be most anxious to see you again," the General spoke, and Leilani frowned. "I am afraid she must wait, for there are a few things that I need to take care of before I return," Leilani said, a sad look appearing on her face as she thought about Raiden. The General looked perplexed, but he nodded his head. "I wish you luck during your troubled times, and a speedy recovery from your long journey," he said, his voice deep and grave. "Thank you General, it has been a pleasure working alongside the Earth Kingdom," Leilani said, bowing to the room and, to the General's surprise, saluting the General. He chuckled and saluted, and Leilani left the room.

"Your carraige awaits, Miss," Domonic spoke once he saw Leilani exiting the Palace. He was surprised when Leilani shook her head and frowned at him. "There are things that must be taken care of before I return," Leilani said, forcing a smile. "You have been most helpful and for that I am grateful," Leilani spoke, smiling genuinely now at Domonic. "Would you frown upon an escort?" Domonic spoke, knowing that Leilani was still in grave danger until she returned to her village. Leilani chuckled lightly at the soldier, although not as a means of offending him. "I survived being a prisoner of the Fire Nation Domonic," Leilani said, still chuckling at a few of the decent memories from her stay. "I learned more about myself than I ever knew I was capable of while I was there...I believe it best for you to stay," she told the soldier, placing a hand on his shoulder in gratitude. "I wish you the best of luck, for it was truly a pleasure to meet one so wise," Domonic said, bowing his head. "Thank you," Leilani said, and she took off through the city, making her path back to the Fire Nation camp. She knew it was near suicide, but for some reason she was concerned for Raiden's well-being after she had left the camp.

[Ushima]

Raiden was going through the moves with Sam. "How you holding up?"

"Hurts. Bad." He was still sore from earlier. But he insisted on jumping right into his airbending training. Raiden eyed the objective, which was just a sheet hanging up on a line. He had to blow it around a bit using his airbending. Taking a few deep breaths he extended his fists, the corner flapped.

"Well it's better than nothing." Sam said, causing Raiden to bow his head and sigh. "Ok what's the matter with you? You're a master bender, this shouldn't be that hard."

"It's different, it feels different." Raiden explained. "When I'm firebending it's like I'm taking everything I'm feeling and just letting it explode out of me. Normally I keep my emotions locked away and bending allows me to express that." Raiden let out another sigh. "Airbending, I don't know. It requires something different."

"Well let's take a break for now. Your tent is still up, so is your bed." Sam pointed, why she didn't know. Raiden knew where it was. "Rest up."

Raiden stalked off. "Damn I got some sort of mental block." Raiden thought as he walked to his tent. It wasn't because he lacked the skill, he had plenty. He knew there was no advancing until he was a hundred percent, both mind and body. Limping into his tent he paused, his face in a slight smirk when his mind caught up with what he was seeing. "Well never had a girl sneak into my place before. Doesn't it usually go the other way around?"

[Froggy]

It had taken Leilani a couple hours to reach the Fire Nation outpost, and she had to rest before scaling the wall. Once there, she looked around to make sure the coast was clear, and entered Raiden's tent. "Shoot, shoot, shoot, I must be crazy," Leilani muttered to herself, pacing back and forth in the tent. What would she say? 'Hey Raiden, you remember I was crazy before, right? Now I'm crazy enough to sneak back in.' Yeah...she was definitely going crazy.

"Well never had a girl sneak into my place before. Doesn't it usually go the other way around?"

Leilani nearly jumped out of her boots when she heard Raiden's voice. She turned around and gasped when she saw him, holding her hand to her mouth. "You can't be left alone for three days without getting yourself killed? Psh, and to think less than a week ago I was in a cage," Leilani said, shaking her head at him.

"What. Did. You. Do?" she asked, avoiding his teasing by looking the other way. She wondered exactly what had transpired in this camp during the three days she had been gone, what had happened to cause such great injury to the Fire Prince. She turned around and looked at him, worry etched into her face. She couldn't explain why she was so worried about him...perhaps it was the hope that she held for him, or was it something more?

[Ushima]

"A mission. We were to attack a transport containing a strange object of unknown origin and power. Only porblem, there was no item to aquire." Groaning in pain he moved to sit down on the bed. "It was a ambush. Almost a dozen Dai Li agents poured out of the transports. You see the Dai Li were created several centuries ago by Avatar Kyoshi to preserve the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se, in response to a peasant uprising against the government of the 46th Earth King. Now they're just the Earth King's assassins." Radien blinked back a tear. "And they killed six of my best men."

Raiden clenched a fist. "There's a traitor in my father's organization. Someone must've sent that order, someone knew it was a trap. I'm going back to home to find him, or her. And when I do."

"Hey Avatar Raiden." The tent flap opened. "You ready to continue your.....the prisoner!"

"Sam calm down. Leilani is a guest. Get in here." Sam shut up instantly and entered. "Oh yeah I'm the Avatar, surprise." Sam his him in the arm. "Ah! Dammit I'm injuried. Be nice."

"You're the avatar and all you have to say is surprise!?" Sam was pissed. "Treat the title with more respect than that."

"Sorry." Really what more can he say? He spent most of his life cursing the Avatar for being a no show only to find it was himself he was mad at. That's not something one can easily deal with. "Now Sam, leave is. We have important things to discuss."

"Oh you want to be alone? I get it." Sam smiled. "Are you going to make me an aunt? That would be so great! I always wanted a nephew or niece to spoil." Raiden faceplamed. "I'll leave you both to it then!" Raiden knew Sam was just teasing them and didn't mean, having witnessed the two kiss she had a lot of material to work with. That didn't stop Raiden from turning several dark shades of red.

"So." Raiden started, not looking at Leilani. "How've you been these last few days?"

[Froggy]

"A mission. We were to attack a transport containing a strange object of unknown origin and power. Only porblem, there was no item to aquire. It was a ambush. Almost a dozen Dai Li agents poured out of the transports. You see the Dai Li were created several centuries ago by Avatar Kyoshi to preserve the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se, in response to a peasant uprising against the government of the 46th Earth King. Now they're just the Earth King's assassins. And they killed six of my best men."

Leilani's face showed a rainbow of emotions in a matter of seconds. Dai Li? Attacked Raiden? Earth King's assassins? Ambush? "Earth King...assassins...killed your men..." Leilani said, stumbling back onto his desk. She had just gotten back from the Earth Kingdom. She had just signed a treaty between the water nation and the Earth Kingdom.

Leilani paled and looked like she would be sick any second. And then an unwelcome voice entered the tent, nearly scaring her out of her boots...again.

"Hey Avatar Raiden. You ready to continue your.....the prisoner!"

Leilani backed up and looked at Sam, perplexed. Did she just call Raiden Avatar? And hadn't she noticed that Leilani had been gone for almost four whole days? "What did you-" Leilani asked, blinking at Sam in confusion.

"Sam calm down. Leilani is a guest. Get in here. Oh yeah I'm the Avatar, surprise."

Leilani's jaw almost fell open as Raiden announced that he was the very Avatar he had been cursing just nights before. "Surprise?" Leilani said, stunned. She walked over and lightly smacked him in the head. "Surprise?" She asked again, still gawking at him like an idiot. "That's just my luck. Get captured the first day in Omashu by a crazed airbender, become the Fire Prince's prisoner for an entire day and a half, get kissed by said Fire Prince, and now you're the Avatar too?" Leilani asked, as though it were his fault. "Yeesh, talk about an ego booster," Leilani said, rolling her eyes lightly. Her head throbbed after, and she moaned lightly. "Yeah. Still can't do that one," she said, sighing.

"Oh you want to be alone? I get it. Are you going to make me an aunt? That would be so great! I always wanted a nephew or niece to spoil. I'll leave you both to it then!"

"Sam!" Leilani gasped, her face turning an equally deep shade of red. "Raiden, you seriously need to put a lake in this camp so I can drown her whenever I want," Leilani said, mirroring his look of embarrassment.

"How've you been these last few days?"

Leilani moaned and leaned against the edge of the tent, curling up into a ball. "PassedoutintheEarthPalaceforthreedaysstraightandIw okeupandsignedatreatybetweentheEarthKingdomandtheW aterNation," Leilani mumbled, putting her head in her lap and burrying her face as tears rolled down her cheek. "I didn't know. We didn't know. And now we're in alliance with the very Kingdom starting this war," Leilani mumbled into her lap. "And...I think I'm going to be sick," Leilani said, standing up quickly and rushing out behind the tent.

[Ushima]

"Climate change, tends to throw your body for a loop if you're not well adjusted." Raiden got up and went out the back of the tent after Leilani. He put a hand on her back and gently rubbed as she puked. "I'd probably get sick to if I were to go to any of the poles." He tried to comfort her. Once she had stopped vomiting he spoke again. "Don't let Sam get to you to much. Now that she know you're not a prisoner she won't attack you but she will make fun of you, of us. Please you think this is bad? I get it way worse." Raiden wrapped an arm around her and helped her back into the tent and he sat her on his bed.

"I'm the injured one yet here I am hellping you." Raiden chuckled, taking a seat at his desk. He took in her appearance, her flushed face, half from being under the weather and half from Sam's teasing. She was starting to sweat, most likely the start of a fevor. Her skin was pale. Though despite all that he couldn't help but think she looked beautiful. He wanted to go over to her, hug her, and just lay there in that bed with her. He decided to change the subject. "I can get you home quickly. The sooner, the better you'll start to feel. Meanwhile I'll head home to take care of some business. Namely the capture, interrogation and excecution of a traitor." Raiden let out a low growl as the spoke. There will be blood repaired for the death of his men, and the Dai Li he killed in the Avatar State didn't count cause he wasn't aware of what he was doing.

"Once I'm done there I'll meet up with you. I'm gonna take care of your Raider problem myself, once and for all." He also wanted to recruit some waterbenders to his cause. And taking out corrupt Water Tribe leaders while he was at it didn't seem like a bad idea either. "Now I really hope you can tolerate some teasing for awhile, cause the fastest thing I have for you to get home is Sam and her Skybison Nisa."

[Froggy]

"Climate change, tends to throw your body for a loop if you're not well adjusted."

"This...is...so...embarrassing," Leilani moaned in between vomitting. She had to admit that it felt nice when he rubbed her back, and she couldn't help but lean into his touch. Until she started vomitting all over again.

"I'd probably get sick to if I were to go to any of the poles."

Leilani moaned lightly. "Not. Helping," Leilani said, holding her stomach in a death-grip. She was starting to sweat, and couldn't help but be embarrassed about getting sick in front of him. "I blame you for keeping me in that darn cage all day," Leilani moaned, although she didn't mean it. She leaned against him, her body weak as small shivers broke her body.

"Don't let Sam get to you to much. Now that she know you're not a prisoner she won't attack you but she will make fun of you, of us. Please you think this is bad? I get it way worse."

"Of us?" Leilani asked, smiling weakly at Raiden. "And it's easy for you, you can fireball her any time you want. I'm not anywhere near water, so it's not like I can drown her or anything," Leilani said, pouting lightly. "And she's too fast for me to kick," she said, raising an eyebrow lightly.

"I'm the injured one yet here I am hellping you."

"Welcome to your new job," Leilani said, half chuckling at the pun. She blushed as he sat at his desk and just watched her. "Don't watch me like that, I'm hideous," she said, plopping onto his bed and curling up into a ball.

"I can get you home quickly. The sooner, the better you'll start to feel. Meanwhile I'll head home to take care of some business. Namely the capture, interrogation and excecution of a traitor."

"But...I want to help," Leilani said, shivering at the tone in his voice. She still remembered very vividly her first few hours in the camp, and his violent expressions. He seemed completely different from that person, until he got angry. Leilani's face paled and she felt as though she would be sick again. "Maybe not," she said, holding her arms together and shaking.

"Once I'm done there I'll meet up with you. I'm gonna take care of your Raider problem myself, once and for all."

Leilani looked up at Raiden, surprised by his words. She wanted to hug him as tightly as she was capable of, but couldn't bring herself to move from the bed. "Thank you...so much," Leilani said, smiling at Raiden weakly. Something popped back into her memory. "I received word that my mother is making a speedy recovery," Leilani told him, her smile widening the slightest bit. "She will be pleased to know that you're here to help."

"Now I really hope you can tolerate some teasing for awhile, cause the fastest thing I have for you to get home is Sam and her Skybison Nisa."

Leilani's face paled even more as soon as he said the word Skybison. "No," Leilani moaned, gripping the bed posts. "No, no, no, no, no." She looked like she wanted to throw a fit. "I hate flying. I get sick. I hate heights. Those two things combined with Sam teasing me will not go over well," Leilani said, wrapping herself around a bed pole. "Sorry but you're going to have to find some other way," Leilani protested, glaring up at him as though daring him to try to remove her from the bed.

[Ushima]

"Sam prepare Nisa!" Raiden ordered.

"Got it!" Sam yelled back.

"Come on it won't be that bad. Plus I'll be with you." Raiden sighed, he didn't need this complication.

*THUD*

"Skybison ready!" Sam yelled. That thud was the sound of a skybison landing on the ground.

"Damn that was fast. Look Leilani. There's a time and place we could argue about anything." Raiden stood. "This is not one of those times. Now you can either sit here, be sick and take way longer than it should for you to get home. Or you can come with us and your dear mother can finally rest easy her little girl is safe and sound back home." He was playing the sick-worrying-mother card. A little underhanded but he really didn't have time for this.

"Raiden, we going or not?" Sam called.

"Yeah, be right there." Raiden approached the exit. "Think about it, this is the best way." Lifting the flap he left the tent. "You have my things packed?"

"I had a feeling you were planning a trip home so..." Sam helped the injured avatar up. "What about the girl?"

"You'll be giving her a lift home after you drop me off at the port. I'll be taking a ship." Raiden sat himself down in the saddle. "Be nice alright?"

"Aren't I always?" Sam put on a cheesy grin. Raiden just had a scowl. "What?"

[Froggy]

"Come on it won't be that bad. Plus I'll be with you."

Leilani moaned lightly and held onto the bedpost, closing her eyes shut. She was like a rock, refusing to move. And then there was a large thud, and Sam yelled that the skybison was ready. "I'm gonna be sick..." Leilani said, still keeping her eyes shut.

"This is not one of those times. Now you can either sit here, be sick and take way longer than it should for you to get home. Or you can come with us and your dear mother can finally rest easy her little girl is safe and sound back home."

"You're supposed to be the holder of peace, and yet you're already using the sick mother card on me," Leilani moaned, forcing herself out of bed. She stood up shakily and made her way out of the tent, holding onto rails as she passed. "Waaait," she moaned after Raiden, stumbling out of the tent behind him. She caught one sight of the sky bison and looked as though she wanted to collapse on sight.

"Can you just have Nisa squish me with her tail, Sam?" Leilani begged the airbender, weakly pulling herself up to the bison. She took the opportunity to cuddle in a corner on the saddle, and made the mistake of looking over the edge. Even though they hadn't taken off yet, they were still high up. "Maybe this isn't the best spot," Leilani said, closing her eyes and crawling over to Raiden, gripping one of his arms as though her life depended on it, and closing her eyes tightly. "I'm ready," Leilani whispered, looking like she would rather be doing anything except what she was doing right then.

[Ushima]

"Thank you for riding AirBison. Please keep your arms and legs inside at all times." Sam moved up front to grab the reins. "Emergancy exits are located all around. And Leilani." Sam turned, eyeing the girl who was holding onto Raiden. "Incase of water landing, you can use Raiden as a floatation device." Sam winked. "Yip yip!" And they were off.

Raiden used his arm, the one not in Leilani's terrified vice-grip. He felt her grip tighten. "Relax. Everything will be fine."

"You two lovebirds getting comfortable back there?" Sam called. "Might want to rest. Gonna be awhile before we get to our stop."

Raiden knew it'd be a five hour flight until they reached his destination. It made him a little sad when he thought about it. Part of him, a part he didn't think could possibly exist in him, didn't want to leave Leilani. But if someone was feeding him bad intel then that's a serious problem that must dealt with. He also didn't want to tell Leilani that he was leaving her, he wasn't sure how she'd react but his heart couldn't take it. No he'd face her when the time comes. So for now he settled with just holding her and whispering that it'd be ok.

[Froggy]

"Thank you for riding AirBison. Please keep your arms and legs inside at all times. Emergancy exits are located all around. And Leilani. Incase of water landing, you can use Raiden as a floatation device."

Leilani dug her nails into Raiden's arm, looking as though she would be sick again. "Can I please toss her off this thing?" Leilani begged, looking up at Raiden with puppy dog eyes. When the sky bison gained altitude she decided against it. "On second thought, I'll stay here and you toss her off," she mumbled to herself, glaring at Sam.

"You two lovebirds getting comfortable back there? Might want to rest. Gonna be awhile before we get to our stop."

"Saaaaaam," Leilani groaned, glaring at the airbender. "I say we make her sick," Leilani mumbled to Raiden, smirking ever so lightly. She could feel her eyes opening and closing as she fought to stay awake, not wanting to fall asleep and miss what little time left she had with Raiden.

Part of her was worried how her tribe (and other tribes) would react when she told them everything that had happened during her journey, and about how the Earth King was corrupt. And that she had completed her mission in signing the treaty with the Earth Kingdom. "I don't want to go home," Leilani said, looking down at the saddle, blinking back a tear. She was scared. She knew they would have to fend off the raiders alone until Raiden came back, and that she would have to face the water tribes after she told them of the corrupt Earth King. She wasn't sure she could handle all of that.

[Ushima]

Raiden also felt himself drifting off to sleep. It had been a tiring few days. It seemed that life had decided to become increasingly difficult for the prince. It it was his weight to shoulder, well he'll have Leilani's help. He was sure the girl wouldn't leave him alone, her heart was to big and kind. But, maybe, there was another reason she was helping him. His mind came up with the reason but it sonded absolutely rediculous. She cloudn't be, right? He looked down at the girl who was falling asleep just as fast as he was.

~

"Raiden wake up!" Raiden shifted. "We're here!" Waking up he noticed they had landed on a harbor. Large Firenation war ships loomed over him.

"Sam I want you to be nice to Leilani while take her home." Raiden gave her a hard look. "That's an order."

"Can I at least tease her?" Raiden nodded. "Ok."

"Leilani." He shook the girl awake. "I gotta go, you'll be with Sam until I finish up. Stay safe alright? I don't want nothing to happen to you." He gave her a quick hug, ignoring Sam making kissy faces behind him. "See you soon." He broke the hug, grabbed his bag and Axe and hopped off Nisa. "Fly fast girl." He patted the skybison who let out a rumble which Raiden took as goodbye.

"Sir the ship is ready to departe on your order!" The captain saluted.

"Alright lets head off. Back to the fire nation." Raiden stood on the deck as everyone working to get going. Raiden stared at the sky, watching as the group he just left slowly fade into the distance.

[Froggy]

"I gotta go, you'll be with Sam until I finish up. Stay safe alright? I don't want nothing to happen to you."

Leilani blinked, slowly waking up and taking in what he said. "Go...where?" Leilani mumbled, looking around for the first time. She saw Fire Nation ships all around and shivered lightly. "Oh," she said, looking sad. "You're telling me to stay safe when you're the one who almost got killed," Leilani frowned, holding onto Raiden with worry.

"See you soon."

Leilani reached out for Raiden as he left, blinking back a tear. "See you," Leilani said, watching as he hopped off the sky bison. Leilani frowned and coughed, curling up into her own little ball of misery. "Kill me now Sam," Leilani moaned, her body shaking. It was so hot and uncomfortable she began sweating again.

Her eyes began to open and close again, and she occasionally peeked a glance at the airbender. Sighing to herself, she crawled up next to Sam and curled into a ball again, drifting back to sleep.

[Ushima]

"Don't worry. Raiden's a tough guy. Been to the brink of death more times than anyone and he's always come back stronger." Sam said. "And we'll get you home soon. Just tell them you've completed your assignment and act normal. Let Raiden worry about the everything else once he gets there."

~

Raiden was practicing his airbending on the deck of the ship. His blasts were stronger than before. The key was happiness, to be carefree not exploding with emotion. Raiden was thinking about Leilani at the time, that should've been his first sign but he didn't get it then. "Sir we're approaching port."

"Excellent. Dock at once." Saluting the soldier ran off to do whatever job he had to do. Raiden himself went bellow deck to put his gear on, his axe secured on his back. Once the boat had successfully docked Raiden decended the ramp down, taking in a deep breath. "Ah good to be home."

"My Lord." Another soldier saluted him. "We have an airship waiting for you." Raiden just nodded and followed the soldier over to said airship. "You'll be back at the palace soon my lord."

~

Stepping off the ship Raiden was greeted by his family. "Oh my son!" He was pulled into a tight hug.

"Oh mother I missed you." Raiden kissed him mother on the cheek and returned the hug. After exiting the hug of his mother he was assualted by his younger siblings, tackling him to the ground. They started bombarding him with question. 'Were's he been? What'd he see?' Promising to tell them later he was allowed up, coming face to face with his sister Azula. "Hi sis!" He smiled.

"Hello runt." She sneered. "What are you doing home so soon?"

"Nothing you'd understand." Despite being older Azula had no idea desire or need to join in on military matters. The thought that it might help her standing with her father never crossed her mind.

"My son!" The Fire lord appeared and gave his son a big hug. "Tonight we shall celebrate your safe return."

"Thank you father." Raiden smiled. "But right now I'd like some rest. It's been a long journey home." As he walked to his room he contemplated his next course of action. First he'd have to shake down the messengers, those who were assigned with sending orders. Once he had who delivered it to him he'd go and shake that man down. He'd follow the chain back to it's source. And once he was at the head of the snake, he'd cut it off before heading to rejoin Leilani.

[Froggy]

"And we'll get you home soon. Just tell them you've completed your assignment and act normal. Let Raiden worry about the everything else once he gets there."

Leilani shook her head at Sam. "I have to do this. The treaty was my responsibility, and I have to tell my tribes that the Earth King is corrupt," Leilani said, blinking a few times as she woke up. "I'll leave out a few details here or there, but this is something I have to do," Leilani said, sitting up and balling herself up. She sat next to Sam and dared to look over the reins, taking in the sight.

She saw moonlight glistening off open water, and stars in its reflection. "I can see why you enjoy flying so much," Leilani commented, allowing herself to relax a little more. It was a shame that she was not able to share this with Raiden. At the same time, she knew she had to get back home and warn the surrounding tribes of the true cause of the war, and to see her mother.

Leilani was still sweating with fevor, and she would cough every now and then. Finally she laid back down on the bison and passed out once more, into what seemed like an endless sleep. Until she heard a thud, and felt the chills of the icy temperatures, indicating that she was home.

[Ushima]

Raiden stepped out of his room well rested. He moved through the halls quickly, he was on a mission after all. His eyes scanned everything, he was searching for someone. And he found him, at Dragon Hawk pens. "Ah lord Raiden how are-"

The prince grabbed the teen by the front of his shirt and lifted him up and pinned him against the wall. "Someone sent a mission scroll to me. Who gave it to you?"

"I-I don't know w-qhat you're t-talking ab-bout." The boy stuttered.

"Don't lie to me." Raiden pulled his right hand back, still capable of holding him up with his left hand. His right hand exploded with lightning. "Tell me who gave you the scroll or this goes through your chest." His voice was deep, dark, threatening.

"O-ok! I'll tell you!" Raiden lowered the teen and dispersed his lightning. "A General. I don't remember his name. He gave me the scroll, told me it was vital you received it."

"Which General?" Raiden glared.

"I don't remember. I haven't been here that long." The prince let the boy go. "Oh thank the spirits."

"Tell no one about this. If I'm going to catch this traitor I need them to think I'm not onto them." The boy nodded. "Sorry about that, I really needed that information." The boy ran off, leaving Raiden to walk around. At the dinner party tonight, a lot of officials will be there. He'd have time to question every general then. Hopefully he wouldn't have to use extreme measures.

[Froggy]

Leilani looked up and noticed they were just a few miles from her tribe, and realized why. She didn't want Sam to get captured for returning her home, and it was best, for the time being, that she keep her distance. "Thanks," Leilani said, sliding off the bison and patting Nisa on the side. It really hadn't been that bad of a flight.

It took her just over an hour to reach her camp, and by that time she was coughing, but feeling her fevor loosen up. "Miss Leilani!" one of the local children shouted, upon seeing her enter the village. Children came out of their houses and ran to Leilani, their heads popping over each other to see if she really had returned home. Leilani had to admit, she had missed the children and they were rather cute, the way they huddled around her. "What happened? What was the Earth Palace like? Why were you gone so long?" they asked, not budging an inch.

Feeling it was best for the knowledge of the children, she kept things short and simple, telling them that she had taken the wrong turn and had ended up several days off course before realizing where she was. She told them the grand schemantics about the Palace, not really going into much detail. She could see her family (mother included, much to her surprise), emerging from their home. Her mother started crying, and Leilani excused herself from the children, running into her mother's arms.

"I'm so glad you're well again," Leilani said to her mother, tears rolling down her eyes. "Me!" her mother said, likewise teary-eyed. "You mustn't do that to me again Leili," her mother said, using her childhood nickname. Leilani smiled weakly at her mother, knowing that it would only be a matter of time before she left again. For now she was content to let her mother believe she was really home. "I'm sorry I worried you mother, but I'm better now," Leilani said, kissing her mother on the cheek.

Her mother stepped back and her father pulled her into a tight embrace. "Leili," he said, and she heard him sob. Leilani's heart sunk and she squeezed him tightly, letting him know that she was really there. "I'm okay papa," she said, stepping out of his embrace and holding his hand briefly. She noticed Kaimana looking at her sadly, and stepped over to her sister. She knelt on her knees and embraced her sister, tremors shaking through her body. "It is so good to see you, sister," she told her little sister, and Kaimana began to sob. "Leili," the child said over and over again, pulling Leilani into a similar death grip that she'd held Raiden in. She just kept whispering to her sister that it was okay, that everything was okay, that she was okay and that she wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Leilani brushed her fingers through Kaimana's hair, smiling at her sister. "It's okay," she told her sister, standing up and resting her hand on her sister's back. She looked at her father in a more serious look than she had ever held in her life, much to his surprise. "What is it Leili?" he said, looking at his daughter gravely. "Papa, call for the tribe leaders to gather. We must all speak at once, I will waste no more time traveling from tribe to tribe," Leilani said, standing firmly. Her father nodded to his daughter and walked off to send the message. "Kaimana, I must rest now. It has been a long journey, but I will tell you a fairytell of an adventure when I wake," Leilani promised her sister, thinking of Raiden and smiling. Kaimana smiled and her mother winked behind her back.

Leilani made her way into the familiarity of her room, knowing that by the time she woke and finished telling her 'fairytale' to her sister, the tribe leaders would be gathered. Her heart beat furiously, her face flushing in shame as she thought about signing the treaty, only before she found out that the Earth Kingdom was lead by a corrupt leader.

She slipped into her bed and dozed off, wondering what Raiden was up to that very moment, and if he was okay.

[Ushima]

"I hate parties." Raiden complained as he sat in a large chair next to his father and mother. His siblings out enjoying themselves. He already knew where the generals are, he just couldn't get there yet. Had to stay in character, couldn't let anyone know he was onto them.

"Oh Raiden stop complaining." His mother turned to him. "Why don't you go out there and ask a nice young lady to dance?"

Here's his chance. "Whatever you say mother." Raiden made his way through the crowd, approaching his first target. "General Tao." Raiden put an arm around the older man. "Let's talk."

~

He was getting frustrated, not a single one knew anything. Raiden was about to interrogate his last one but he doubted this one would know anything. "General Lee, can we talk?"

"Of course my lord." The two were out on the balcony, alone.

"You wouldn't happen to know anything about a mission I received a few days ago would you?" He really didn't get his hopes up.

"No sir I didn't send you a mission." And Raiden would've believed him, had his body language not given himself away.

"You're lying." Raiden stepped closer, his hands by his sides ready to explode.

Lee knew that the two of them were pretty even in combat, he was a highly skilled and experienced general while Raiden the crown prince who had the best tutors. But what put him on edge was the fact that Raiden has nearly died on several occasions and emerged a far better warrior. Thus earning the name Pheonix Prince, many believed he did infact die and just rose from the ashes. As a General Lee was fairly young, in his fifties, so he didn't have age to worry about if he did in fact have to fight Raiden, good thing he was a coward and spilled his guts anyway. "It was your sister!"

"Azula?" Raiden tilted his head to the side. "Why?"

"With you out of the way the throne would be hers as your siblings are to young." Raiden couldn't help but think that sounded familiar for some reason.

"Well now you know brother." Raiden spun around, eyeing Azula, who he noticed decked out in armor. Raiden couldn't help but feel a little naked without his gear. "Guess I'll just have to kill you myself."

"You don't stand a chance Zula. Just, just give up now and I'll forgive you." Raiden had always wanted a relationship with his older sister, but her jealous attitude toward Raiden preventing them from bonding as siblings.

~

Everything had moved so fast. The situation quickly exploded into a battle as the two Fire Nation Royals moved into the hall, people screamed, dodging fire. He noted Azula had gotten better since he'd been gone, but so had he. In his emotional state he even accessed Avatar State, blasting his sister with a large stream of air. He didn't remember much after that, only explaining to his father that Azula had tried to have him killed and he had the witnesses to prove it. Raiden went to bed immediately, Avatar State haing drained him, happy that his sister was locked up for further interrogation.

[Froggy]

Leilani woke some hours later, stiffling a yawn and stretching. Her fevor had gone down, and she was regaining color in her cheeks. It was good to be home. "Leili!" Kaimana squealed, jumping onto the bed with her sister. Leilani laughed and hugged her sister, tickling her and making the little girl laugh. "Ready for that fairytale?" Leilani asked her sister, and her sister curled up and nodded her head, smiling at Leilani.

"Now, you have to make a sister promise that you won't tell anyone anything that I'm about to tell you," Leilani said seriously, raising an eyebrow lightly. "I sister promise," Kaimana said, grinning. Sister promises were more sacred than any other kind of promise to the two of them, and Leilani only used this because she planned on telling Kaimana about her and Raiden.

Leilani started the fairytale from the time she left the village, to entering Omashu. She explained that she had been greeted (more or less) by a craaaazy airbender decked out in black robes. "Were you scared?" Kaimana asked, and Leilani nodded her head. "See, I didn't know she was an airbender at first, because she didn't have the airbender tattoos," Leilani explained, not telling her sister that Sam had her tattoos physically removed. "I thought she was just this crazy person trying to get the papers," Leilani said, shaking her head lightly.

She continued with her story, all the way up to waking up in a cage. "All fairytales have scary parts, you know that...right Kaimana?" Leilani asked, biting her lip lightly. Kaimana nodded her head and grabbed a pillow. "I'll tell you the scary parts, but just know that it gets better...okay?" Leilani asked, briefly hugging her sister. Leilani continued the story, about how she had completely shut the Fire Prince down upon their first visit. How he had left it at that, and how she had spent the night in the cage. She told Kaimana how she had gotten up early that morning, and how she had decided to meditate to prepare for the day. She told Kaimana everything after that- how she had accidentally used her bending abilities to bend a guard's blood, and the expressions on the Fire Prince's face.

She'd told Kaimana about the archs of lightening, and the circle of fire. About being bound by her wrists, and left alone after that. She told Kaimana how the Prince had awoken later and come to visit her, and of the conversation she'd had with the Prince. She told Kaimana everything, right down to the kiss and Sam mocking them and the ride back home. By the time she looked at Kaimana again, the girl was out like a light. "I still have it," Leilani smirked, tucking Kaimana into her bed.

"Leili, everyone is here," her mother said, walking in just as she was tucking her sister in bed. "Thank you mother," Leilani said, hugging her mother tightly. "She was so worried about you," her mother said, tears in her eyes. Leilani frowned and wiped her mother's eyes, kissing her on her cheek. "I know, but I think I just made it better," Leilani said, smiling as she looked at her sleeping sister.

_________________________

Leilani gathered at the table with the tribe leaders, and they stood upon her arrival. Her mother was on her left, and her father was on her right. She was holding her mother's hand for support, her nerves making her heart beat furiously.

She sat down and told the leaders everything she had told the General, and then going back to the camp to see the Prince. She told the leaders what had transpired at the camp while she was gone, how the Earth King had sent Dai Li assassins to kill the Prince, which would have started the war. She told them how the Earth King was corrupt, and that she had hope for the Fire Prince. She told them how the Fire Prince had promised to come and defeat the raiders once and for all, once he was back from his visit home.

She told them everything she knew before sitting down, allowing the leaders to discuss it. She held onto her mother's hand underneath the table, occasionally giving her input to the situation. In the end they decided that it was best to follow the Fire nation and break treaty with the Earth Kingdom, which would have to be done immediately. But by whom? Surely they would not return after.

Leilani stood and sighed. "I signed the treaty. I will go," she said, volunteering. "But not before the arrival of the Fire Prince," Leilani said firmly, and glared at anyone who dared protest.

And then chaos. Arrows everywhere. Men clad in fire nation clothing bursting into the room. "RAIDERS!" Leilani shouted, forcing her mother and father out of the room. "Get Kaimana and get out!" Leilani shouted, grabbing her sword to join the fight. She had a new weapon now.

[Ushima]

"Raiden, wake up son." Groaning Raiden put a hand to his head, he had a slight headache.

"What?" Slowly he sat up. Raiden opened his eye, seeing his father before him.

"We need to talk, about your sister. And about the Avatar." Raiden said nothing as his father pulled up a chair. "So you claim Azula wants you dead?"

"That's right so she can take the throne. She conspired with the Earth King, how else could she get the Dai Li's coopeeration?" Raiden explained. "It was then I unlocked the Avatar State. I already began studying the next element in the cycle."

"I always knew you were destined for greatness. Sad it has to come this way." Astral put a comforting hand on his son's leg. "Now that this plot has been uncovered-"

"The prisoner has escaped!" A guard burst into Raiden's room. "The guards assigned to watch her have been murdered!" Raiden and Astral bolted from the room, the guard following behind. They quickly made their way to the dungeon were another group of guards were busy hauling out bodies and cleaning up.

"What do you see Raiden?" Astral asked, watching his son move about the room.

"Earthbenders." Raiden touched the wall. "They came in, murdered the guards and took Azula. Check the perimeter, I wouldn't be surprised to find more of our forces murdered." Several people left the room. "I have to leave. Prepare an airship. I'm going to the South Pole."

"For what?" Astral asked. He didn't want his son who was the target of an assassination attempt going anywhere. Avatar or not.

"Someone is waiting for me. I promised her I'd help her people." Raiden was already fufilling his Avatar duties.

[Froggy]

Leilani moved through the room with similar speed and far more grace than the leaders. She sliced a sword through one opponent, nearly carving him in half. It appeared as though the entire group of Raiders was in one room. It was clear that they were outnumbered by far, even though raiders were dropping like flies. Leilani engaged one raider who appeared to be far larger than her, and he blocked her attacks with ease. He even went as far as yawning in between blows, trying to anger her.

She parried this and parried that, and attacked here and tried to attack there, but she was only able to inflict minimal damage. "Aaron!" she shouted to one of the nearby leaders, her voice catching as she blocked what would have been a deadly blow. Aaron sliced his way through his opponent and came to aide her, but was blocked by another raider. Leilani had already killed six herself, but was having more difficulty than she thought she would keeping up with this raider.

And then a bright light, and heat. She had been blasted by a large fireball and sent flying backwards, where she landed into the table where they had just met at. Leilani stood and wobbled a little, trying not to fall off the table. Her skin was beginning to blister, and it burned. "I can play that way too," Leilani growled at the raider as he jumped on the table to continue his fight with her. Leilani closed her eyes and began searching for any sign of water. At first there was a lot of heat, and just blackness. But then she saw a large blue sphere standing in front of her, and she smirked, opening her eyes.

Her vision had turned into hues of blues and greens, and she knew the green dots to originate from the water benders. The man charged, and Leilani made a sharp, half-circular turn of her arms. She heard screaming, and the blue dot seemed to bend over itself. She closed her hands together until there was about three inches separating them, and rose them as though to take a photograph of the mans head. She sharply turned her hands and the man fell to the floor without so much as a word.

She heard silence in the room, and a few gasps to follow. Then it got hot again, and blue dots were coming towards her. She used her sword to slice through one of the blue dots, and her vision returned to normal again. She saw half a dozen men coming towards her, and she backed into a wall, cornered. "Aaron! Felix! Joel!" she shouted, raising her sword as the raiders neared. And then one of the raiders raised an arrow at her, and a sharp pain entered her shoulder that almost made her gag on sight.

Her vision became blurry, and she heard the words "retreat!" She felt herself being lifted off the ground, and carried away. But by who? She opened her eyes and saw a man clad in fire nation clothing carrying her and that was the last thing she saw. "Raiden," she whispered, passing out in the man's arms. She knew that when Raiden came to for her, he would not find her. Instead he would find out just how terrible her luck really was, or was starting to be, and as she was carried away she felt sorry for him, even more sorry for him than she felt for herself. His journey was only just beginning, and he did not need to worry about her. Yet here she was getting captured twice (by the same nation, although under different leaders), in less than a week and a half's time. How pathetic.

[Ushima]

The first thing Raiden noticed when packing his gear was the Worldcarver was missing.. He checked all over the armory for it, though it was kinda hard to misplace a glowing firery axe. Azula took it, he knew, it had to be. Who else but his jealous sister? Cursing he made his way to another part of the armory. Though with the theft of his axe he was reunited with his sword. A katana (http://www.trueswords.com/images/prod/c/anime_blood_sword_540.jpg) with a beautiful red gem in the blade. The the handle was wrapped in brown sharkskin and the tsuba was angled. The blade was scured tightly on his back. "Why are you doing this Raiden?"

"I don't know." He grabbed a few knives, sheathing them in the empty sheaths on his gear.

"Ok let's put it this way. What does this girl mean to you?" Astral asked.

"I don't know yet." Raiden walked past his father. "But I'd really like to find out." Fire Lord and Fire Prince entered the courtyard where an airship was preped and waiting. "Tell mom and the brats I love them." Raiden ascended the ramp.

"You come back to us alright?" At the top of the ramp Raiden turned and nodded to his father.

~

Raiden pushed the airship to it's limits, wanting to get to the South Pole as quickly as possible. It took them a week to get down there. Once they were over the ice Raiden spotted a column of smoke. "Sam. Set her down!" Raiden ordered. Once the ship was down Raiden got off.

"Raiden! Thank goodness you're here. Finally." Sam hugged the fire bender. "Can I go on the ship please?"

"Just tell me where she is, then you can go." Sam just pointed in the direction of Leilani's village. Raiden let the girl run to the ship for warmth. He, as a firebender, was completely fine. The only downside was that he was using a lot of chi to keep him warm ao he might exhaust himself quickly if he wasn't careful and got into a fight. Walking along the snow crunched under his boots. He could see the village in the distance and he smiled. "Leilani. I'm almost there." He was about to pick up speed, wanting to run to the village, to the girl.

Several figured burst from the snow. Raiden reached for his sword but a chain wrapped around his arm preventing him from doing so. Another chain wrapped around his left arm. He kicked, sending a quick jet of flame before he had to put his leg down to remain balanced. A hard blow to the back of his head ended the struggle. "Take this Raider scum back to the village."

~

He didn't know how long he was out. All he knew that he was freezing and his head hurt. Opening his eyes he found he was in a hut, his arms were in chains and he was hanging. He put his weight on his feet so he was no longer hanging by hiw wrists. He was shirtless, only in a pair of pants and his boots were gone. His eyes quickly adjusted and spotted a girl standing before him, she had his things. "A-are you her prince? She said you come for her?" The girl looked familiar, like someone he knew.

[Froggy]

Ever since Leili had been taken from her again, Kaimana had been in search of the Prince she had mentioned before. She had run away several times out into the icy cold, unable to tell the elders about the man she knew as Raiden, due to her sister-promise she had made Leili. Each time she had gone out, she had been brought back home and questionned as to why she had run away. "I can't tell, I made a sister promise to Leili," she would say, and the elders would assume it was because she missed her sister.

Then, a week later, a man was brought into their hut. Kaimana had been forced to stay in her room, for fear that the man would hurt her. She was told that he was a firebender, believed to be in the same group that had captured her sister. Except that he looked...familiar. Familiar in some ways, although ways she had never seen before. He sounded like the man in Leili's fairytale.

Finally, in the middle of the night, she made a break from her room while her parents were sleeping, and while the guards were guarding the exterior of the home. She crept into the spare room where the man was being kept and eyed him nervously. He had several scars on his body, and the sight made her shiver. Surely this had to be Leili's Prince.

"Are you...the Prince from her story?" Kaimana asked the man, her face hopeful. She really hoped that he wasn't a raider like everyone thought, and that he was there to rescue her sister. "Are you here to rescue Leili?" she asked, daring to step forward.

[Ushima]

"Are you here to rescue Leili?"

"Rescue? Where's Leilani?" Raiden asked. Ok so he gathered that Leilani had told this girl, sister he asumed, about him. What with the way she was addressing him as prince. So he knew that this girl had the information he wanted, needed.

"The raiders took her." The girl responded.

"Oh the raiders took her, I see. Well when she gets back.....What!?" The room shook at his yell. He didn't care if he woke anyone up. Actually the sooner someone came to check on him the sooner he could kick someones ass into letting him go. "Honestly that gril can't stay out of trouble. I'm gone a week. A week! And she goes and gets herself captured again!" Raiden was sure he was making it obvious he wasn't like other princes. "Whoever has the key can you come in here so I can kick your ass and take it!?" Raiden pulled his chain, finding them secure. And he didn't want to firebend, not when the hut was made of snow, that'd look bad on his part.

[Froggy]

"Oh the raiders took her, I see. Well when she gets back.....What!?"

Kaimana backed up at his yell, frightened by the expression on his face. She could see why Leilani had been scared when she first met this Prince. "She wasn't even here for a day before they took her," Kaimana said, frowning and looking down. Tears started forming in her eyes, and she blinked them back, looking at the Prince.

"Honestly that gril can't stay out of trouble. I'm gone a week. A week! And she goes and gets herself captured again!"

Kaimana giggled slightly at the expression on his face. The look of annoyance that he held towards Leilani, and she couldn't help but think it was kind of cute. If a Prince of Fire could be cute. Then she remembered how Leilani had been captured and frowned, hanging her head again. "They shot her...and took her..." Kaimana said, tears falling freely down her cheeks now.

"Whoever has the key can you come in here so I can kick your ass and take it!?"

Kaimana scurried to the corner of the room as guards came in, their swords raised. "Wait!" she cried, running up to one of the guards. "He's Leili's Prince!" Kaimana shouted at the man, standing in front of the Prince. "He's here to rescue Leili!" she said, grabbing the nearest man by the hand and trying to force the sword out of it. "You can't hurt him, who else will help Leili?" she asked the man, tears rolling down her face as she sobbed. The man just looked at her in confusion.

[Ushima]

"Raider scum." One of the guards said.

Raiden's head shot up, "You couldn't be more wrong." Raiden bashed his head into the guard's. He went down. Raiden jumped and kicked the guard in the face. "Well that was easier than I thought. Oh crap." Raiden looked down at the ground. "Hey kid. Come on grab the key and get me out so I can save your sister. Please?" He wanted out desperatley, he wanted to save her, wanted to make this pain in his chest, his heart, go away. He knew the only way was to make sure she was safe.

[Froggy]

"Hey kid. Come on grab the key and get me out so I can save your sister. Please?"

Kaimana backed up as she watched the Prince defeat the guards, despite still being chained. Yeah, she could see how Leilani had been terrified of him. She picked up the key and looked at it, and then looked at him. She was tired of having to stay home while everyone got to look for Leilani but her. "Under one condition," she said, dangling the key back and forth in front of Raiden.

"I'm tired of being stuck here. Nobody lets me help, and all I want to do is to find Leilani. Take me with you," Kaimana said, stepping forward with the key in her hands, although holding it firmly until he agreed.

_______________________

Leilani woke some days after her arrival in a cage-like setting. There were a lot of other people, chained from hands to feet. She knew this wasn't the cage Raiden had held her in, and looked down at her own hands and feet. She was chained to a stretcher, her arm bandaged. She had a sharp pain in her shoulder and gasped from the shock of it, surprised that it could hurt so much to get shot.

She began racking her memory as to how she had ended up in this position, and began to remember little by little. Sam dropping her off home. The meeting with the elders. The sound of battle. The sound of gunfire. 'Oh,' she thought to herself, remembering everything now. The other people were watching her, whispering about her.

"They say she bends blood...they say she is a politician...if she gets sold first, then we have time to escape..." Leilani's eyes widened and sprung open. "Sold first? What do you mean?" Leilani asked, struggling against the chains. They rubbed into her wrists, and she stopped struggling immediately, the familiar pain entering her skin. "Slave trade. They sell people for profit," a woman hissed, glaring at Leilani. "What?!" Leilani said, her voice hoarse. She heard the clash of doors opening and slamming, and pretended to still be unconscious.

[Ushima]

"Yeah, yeah whatever lets go." Raiden shook his chains. When he was let go he rubbed his wrists, they were red and sore. "Thanks." Quickly he picked up his gear and put it back on. "If she was taken a couple days ago then we really don't have time to waste, let's move." Leaving the hut Raiden found another guard. Reaching out and touching him Raiden shocked him. The guard fell unconscious. Taking the girl's hand he led her through the village. It didn't take them long to escape, not with Raiden there.

~

"What are you doing back so soon?" Sam asked from atop the ramp. "I figured you'd be to 'busy'."

"Leilani's been captured by Raiders." The trio entered the airship. Entering the mess Raiden grabbed something to eat. "Do we know where their base is?"

"The abandoned Fire Navy ship, you know the one that's sticking up from the ice." Sam explained.

"Great. It'll faster on Nisa." Once he was finished eating and he gained his strength he stood from his seat. "Sam, watch the kid."

"What!? I'm no babysitter!" Sam yelled.

"It's to dangerous. Leilani would kill me if I let anything happen to someone she cares about." Even though that extended to him, he had to go put himself in harms way. He had to save her. Decending the ramp he ordered for the ship to be locked down until he returned. Climbing atop the skybison he gave the command. "Yip, yip." They were flying through the air to the ship. Raiden, angry and in a killing mood. The raiders had no idea what was coming.

[Froggy]

"If she was taken a couple days ago then we really don't have time to waste, let's move."

Kaimana smiled as Raiden agreed to take her, and rushed behind him. She jumped when he shocked the guard, still getting use to the idea that Fire bending could be a good thing. She followed Raiden closely as he took her by the hand and led her through the village. It didn't take them long to get out, and she was starting to admire the Prince. She could see that he cared for her sister, and made a note to question him further about it at a later (better) time.

"The abandoned Fire Navy ship, you know the one that's sticking up from the ice."

"Where's that?" Kaimana asked the woman, sitting next to Raiden at the table. She eyed the woman suspiciously, trying to see who she was. "You must be...Sam?" Kaimana asked, making deductions from her story.

"Sam, watch the kid."

"You said you would take me with you!" Kaimana shouted, crossing her arms at Raiden. "I want to help! It's no different being stuck on a ship than being stuck in that village!" Kaimana said, glaring at Raiden with icy daggers, and shooting another dirty look at Sam for saying the word 'babysitter'. "You promised," Kaimana said, looking down and frowning.

"It's to dangerous. Leilani would kill me if I let anything happen to someone she cares about."

"I can help though," Kaimana said, trying to follow Raiden. "I can be a distraction. Please," Kaimana begged the Prince, but it was too late as he was already exiting the ship.

Kaimana went back to Sam, her arms still crossed and a scowl on her face. "Dirty, rotten trick," Kaimana said, sitting down at the table and putting her head down, still upset with Raiden. "He said I could come help," Kaimana frowned, still looking at the table.

She then remembered something from Leilani's story. "Leili said you're a Master airbender," Kaimana said, looking at Sam curiously. "She also said you were annoying and teased her a lot," Kaimana said, raising an eyebrow at Sam.

__________________________

Leilani heard footsteps entering the room, and she had to supress a shiver. 'Raiden, where are you?' she thought to herself, keeping her eyes closed. "She isn't awake yet?" she heard a male voice ask the others. "She's faking! She was just up a minute ago!" a woman said, and Leilani wanted to beat her. "I see," the male said, and then there was silence, followed by a few snickers in the room. Uh-oh.

The next thing Leilani knew, a large amount of icy-cold water was tossed on her, and she bolted as far up as she could before the chains did their job and restrained her. She was shivering, and gasping for air. "You'll find that we don't play games here," the man said, and Leilani glared at the man. "Where's 'here'?" Leilani asked, and another bucket of water came her way. She was gasping for air now, and shivering like a leaf from the cold. "Nor do slaves ask questions," the man said, and several men came around her at once.

Two men grabbed her shoulders (causing her to gasp in pain), and two more grabbed her wrists. "What are you-" Leilani tried to asked, but it was clear once they removed the chains from the stretcher. "Get her ready for auction," the man said, and the others in the room cheered. A bucket was tossed at them, and the others quieted down at once. "She'll make a nice profit," the man said, winking at Leilani, which caused her to shiver.

"You don't know who you're messing with," Leilani said, thinking back to Raiden. The men chuckled and drug her off to another area of the ship, her arms and legs still chained together.

[Ushima]

Raiden found the ship (http://images2.fanpop.com/image/quiz/435000/435140_1277853513812_400_300.jpg) easily. What he didn't like was the large circus-esq tent that was set up outside. "Those don't look like raiders." He was looking through a telescope. "What are some highly wealthy Earth Kingdom people doing this far south?" Raiden mingled with the people until he got close to the ship. SLipping inside he pulled up his mask and began his search.

It was a good thing he memorized they layout of all Fire Navy ships. He knew to make his way to the cargo hold, it's the most likely the place they'd keep a lot of people, if his reason as for why those other people were here was correct. Coming up from behind a guard he slit his throat then dragged the body out of sight before stuffing it into a create. "Cargo hold. Here we go." Raiden gripped the handle, his knife ready. Pushing with his shoulder he burst into the room. No guards, though there were a lot of people chained to the wall.

People seemed to shrink in fear at his pressence. "A girl was brought here a couple days ago. Where is she?" No one answered. "Where is she!?" His hands errupted with fire.

"They took her, to the tent. She's being sold off soon." Some woman spoke.

Raiden walked away. "I'll be back to release you soon." He couldn't let them out yet. If a bunch of people who were chained suddenly became loose that'd be very suspicious and security would be heightened making his job a lot harder. Raiden came out on the deck, quickly rushing to the side and jumping over. The tent was in view. "Ok go in there, kill everyone, rescue Leilani then head back to the airship to reunit sisters with eachother, recive big thank you then go kill corrupt tribal leader. Easy."

[Froggy]

Leilani struggled throughout the entire process. She had been forced to change robes and dress in simple, blue robes with a white slash around it. The slash held a fire nation symbol on it, and they explained to her that the blue robes meant to buyers that she was from the water tribe (and a water bender), and that the white slash with the fire nation symbol described which group sold her. Every time she fought, a bucket of cold water was tossed on her, making it difficult to breathe.

She had been forced to walk barefoot each time she resisted on this or that, and eventually they just took her shoes away. Her skin was still blistered from the fireball that had collided with her upon her capture, and she had to be careful with her movements, less she cause herself more unnecessary pain. Leilani was bound from head-to-toe with rope before a woman entered, presumably a slave, and began putting make-up on her. Leilani struggled with this, blinking her eyes repeatedly, squirming, and moving her head as much as possible. Finally the woman started getting annoyed with Leilani and began slapping her.

When the woman was finished, she complimented herself on the work she had done. "You look beautiful," the woman said, smiling coldly. Leilani smirked lightly, which eventually turned into a sneer. "At least they can't throw cold water on me now," Leilani spat at the woman, and was promptly smack in the back of the head. "It only gets worse after the water," the woman said, exiting the room.

The ropes were cut and she was able to walk again, her hands still chained to her feet. Leilani sighed and looked down, thinking of anything she could do to avoid being sold for as long as possible...until Raiden was able to rescue her. Part of her wondered if he was coming, if he really cared that much about her. 'Of course, he promised he would come back and help,' Leilani told herself, although she wondered if he would be too late.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a large selection to choose from tonight!" the speaker said, and the crowd cheered. Leilani was shuffled beside a stage along with a few other people. Once the guards were a few feet behind them, Leilani whispered to the others. "Do anything you can to avoid being sold," Leilani told them, and they just looked at her with pity. "There is no hope for the likes of us," one man said, accepting his fate and looking out at the stage.

A rope necklace with the number 3 was placed around Leilani's neck, and Leilani despised the way it rubbed her skin. She listened as the speaker began calling out numbers, and watched as the others took their turn on the stage. Leilani's number was called but she refused to go, backing up from the stage. One of the guards began to shove her up on stage, and the speaker looked at her as though to silence her with a look. "As you can see, number 3 is a fresh catch," the speaker said, and Leilani was still struggling with the guard as much as she could.

"I assure you that with a bit of training, she will turn into a fine working girl," the speaker said, and Leilani was the only slave on the stage now. "Shall we start the bidding at 500?" the speaker asked, and Leilani watched in horror as a few people began bidding. Then she screamed as loud as she could, and kept screaming as though her life depended on it. She could see people revoking their bids, and knew to keep this up for as long as she could. She started kicking and threw herself on the stage, throwing a tantrum that could outmatch anything Kaimana could come up with.

The guards attempted to restrain her, but every time they touched her, she let out a scream of bloody-murder. Nobody was bidding now, and the next thing Leilani knew, a large fist collided with the side of her head, and she was out like a light.

[Ushima]

Raiden entered the large tent, his high class upbringing allowing him to easily blend with the wealthy. His eyes quickly scanned the room, taking note of guard locations. There were a lot, but nothing the avatar couldn't handle.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a large selection to choose from tonight!"

The prince knew he had to wait until Leilani was shown. There was nothing he could do for the others, his top priority was Leilani. Once she was safe he could then focus on other parts of his plan. He felt bad for number one and number two but he promised himself minutes ago he'd rescue everyone he can.

"As you can see, number three is a fresh catch. I assure you that with a bit of training, she will turn into a fine working girl. Shall we start the bidding at five hundred?

Raiden kicked his feet up on the table and crossed his arms behind his head. He saw an opportunity here. He listened as the bidding went up. When it seemed to slow down around fifty thousand that's when he spoke up. "How about a million gold pieces!?" Raiden spoke up. Everyone gathered let out a collective gasp and turned their attention toward him. "Though I really shouldn't have to pay for what's already mine."

"And who might you be?" The auctioneer asked.

"My name is Raiden. Fire Prince Raiden." Raiden jumped up on top of the table. "Though no amount of money can compare to Leilani's value. She's priceless." Raiden drew his katana, the red gem shined bright as he pumped his chi energy into the blade. "Now let the fighting begin!"

[Froggy]

Guards surrounded Leilani as she laid on the ground, unconscious from the blow she had recieved to her head. Her skin was blistered and her face was red from having been slapped so many times before. In the distance she could hear noise, and it was stirring her from her sleep. She could see shades of blues and greens emerging again, and she saw a familiar blue dot in the distance. "Dotty dot," Leilani mumbled, rolling over in her sleep. She saw a dark green dot and her mind cowered at the color, disliking it's appearance.

She raised her hands and frowned as they were restricted. She pulled her legs closer to allow more room for her hands to move, and she did a 180 with her hands, as she had done before. Screaming. Leilani did it again, and the green dot vanished.

Her mind focused on the familiar blue dot again, trying to figure out why it was so familiar, and what was so familiar about it. She then saw a red dot appear directly in front of it, and she stared at the red dot. 'Blue dot plus red dot equals...Raiden?' she questionned herself, and at the name Raiden her blue vision began to fade into blackness. "Raiden?" she mumbled lightly, blinking her eyes. Her eyes were watering from the pain, and she heard chaos in the room. She was laying on the floor, and men were coming towards her, and then past her.

She looked up and saw Raiden holding a sword, and she could hardly believe what she was seeing. "RAIDEN!" she shouted as loud as she could, trying to force her body off the ground. It was difficult to move in the chains, and her head hurt, and her shoulder still hurt from where the arrow had hit only a matter of days ago. She was so happy to see Raiden, and so stunned. Oh how her Prince had such perfect timing, she couldn't believe her luck. "Raiden behind you!" Leilani shouted, forcing herself up. She searched for sources of water and found a large cooler of water on the other side of the room, and though her bending was restricted, she was still able to create ice daggers.

She threw the daggers at the men coming behind Raiden, and smiled when they collided with their targets. At least Raiden was safe from those men, now she had to worry about how they would get out of there.

[Ushima]

Swords clashed, blood was spilled. None of it Raiden's thankfully. He was just that good. "Enough of these games." Raiden stomped his foot on the table, sending out a circle of lightning knocking back the eight men who surrounded. Raiden jumped off the table and moved through the crowed. More men approached, Raiden ducked and blocked, cut and slashed, his way to the stage. He was covered in blood, his body glowing with chi.

"Please, don't kill me!" Raiden backhanded him across the face, effectively knocking him out.

With one powerful electric charge swing of his sword Raiden cut through Leilani's chains. "Let them go." Raiden pointed his sword at the Raiders who were holding one and two. When they didn't move lightning arced out of the tip of his sword. Ex-slaves one and two ran as fast as they could. Raiden helped Leilani stand, the girl was hanging onto him for dear life. "Ladies and gentlemen thank you for participating in today's auction. Fortunately this will be out last run. Good day." The two ducked behind stage, where Raiden proceeded to free the others.

~

Inside the cargo hold a woman was chained to the wall. Looking down she saw a set of keys. It was in the spot that Fire Bender, Raiden, was standing earlier.

~

"Alright everybody out!" Raiden continued to fight as the prisoners rushed outside to join the ones who escaped from the ship. Raiden, still carrying Leilani in one arm, stopped. Looking down he saw a tiny wick. He touched the tip of his sword to it and smirked, the end produced a small spark.

~

"Leili said you're a Master airbender. She also said you were annoying and teased her a lot."

"I know I tease her, but those two make it so easy!" Sam gushed. "They give me so much ammo to use against them." Sam looked out the window, her eyes widening. I should've known he'd do that. Fire up the engines! We have to pick up Raiden!"

~

The small spark lit a flame, which followed the trail, which led to a lot of explosive powder, which caused the entire ship to explode. Raiden had a large grin on his face as he watched the smoke rise, the flames burn, and secondary explosions continued to ring out. "How's that for a signal?" Raiden turned to face the direction he came, catching sight of the Airship. He waved to it as it landed and the ramp descended.

[Froggy]

"Ladies and gentlemen thank you for participating in today's auction. Fortunately this will be out last run. Good day."

Leilani chuckled slightly at Raiden, holding onto him as though her life depended on it...which it sort of did. Her eyes were opening and closing, and she was trying to force herself to stay awake. Now that she knew she was safe, and that Raiden was here, she felt a large boulder being lifted off her shoulders. Every now and then she would whisper something about being lucky.

________________________

"I know I tease her, but those two make it so easy! They give me so much ammo to use against them."

Kaimana giggled at the airbender. "I'll help you tease them when they get back," she said, still giggling. She couldn't wait to see Leili again, and Raiden too. She looked out the window after Sam and noticed a column of smoke in the distance. "He blew up the ship?" Kaimana asked, her eyes widening in shock.

___________________________

"How's that for a signal?"

Leilani laughed and held onto Raiden. She should have known he would do that. "I would say that you have successfully gotten rid of our Raider problem," Leilani said, kissing him on the cheek. She snuggled her head against his neck and wrapped her arms around him tighter. "Thank you...so much," Leilani said, drifting off into a deep sleep as the ramp to the airship descended.

_______________________

Kaimana was already at the top of the ramp when it landed, bouncing up and down. "Leili!" she shouted when she saw Raiden carrying her sister. She ran down the ramp and threw her arms around the both of them, squeezing them tightly. "I'm soooo glad you're back! Thank you, thank you, thank you Raiden!" she said, bouncing up and down. She didn't care that her sister was sleeping, so long as she was there. "Wake up Leili you're back," Kaimana said, tugging at Leilani's arm. "Raiden, wake Leili up," Kaimana said, frowning at her sister and repeatedly poking her curiously in the arm, hoping that would do some good and wake her up.

[Ushima]

Raiden blushed when she kissed him, this wasn't the first time they did but it was usually him that initiated it. "I'll always save you princess." He felt her pass out, as all the weight became dead wheight. Although this was no problem. He did have a little trouble keeping his balance when Kaimana deemed it ok to perform a well excecuted flying hug on the both of them.

"I'm soooo glad you're back! Thank you, thank you, thank you Raiden!"

"Just doing my Avatar duties. Saving the innocent." Raiden smiled.

"Liar!" Raiden frowned, Sam calling him out. "We all know why you did it." Raiden tuned Sam out.

"Wake up Leili you're back! Raiden, wake Leili up."

"Come on kid." Sam grabbed Kaimana. "Let's get all these people inside. Raiden, be a gentleman and take Leilani to the infirmary."

"Of course." Raiden sheathed his blade, freeing up his other arm. Carrying her bridal stlye up the ramp he heard people talking, about him, about Lailani, about him and Leilani. He entered the ship and found the med bay. Walking over to an epmty cot he set her down. He brushed some hair out of her face. Raiden went over to a table and started removing his gear leaving him in a sleevless shirt, exposing his bare arms, baggy pants and grey socks. Pulling up a chair he sat beside her bed. "Hey is being unconscious normal for you? Cause you seem to be in that state a lot."

[Froggy]

"We all know why you did it."

Kaimana giggled as Sam and Raiden argued. "Sam told me aaaaaaaall about it," Kaimana teased Raiden, looking up at Sam. "You two really are cute, just don't tell Leili I said that when she wakes up- she'll kill me," Kaimana said, raising an eyebrow lightly as she looked at her sleepy sister. She was so glad to have Leili back, and so glad that everything was back to normal.

"Let's get all these people inside. Raiden, be a gentleman and take Leilani to the infirmary."

Kaimana giggled again as Sam told Raiden to take her sister to the infirmary. She followed Sam up the steps, bouncing all over the place as though on a sugar high or something. She saw Raiden take Leili to the infirmary and followed, stepping in briefly. "Thank you soooo much," kaimana whispered, giving him a hug and running out of the room to find Sam.

"Hey is being unconscious normal for you? Cause you seem to be in that state a lot."

Leilani stirred at the sound of Raiden's voice, her body still sore. "If you got blasted by a fireball, shot with an arrow, and had..." Leilani paused to do a mental count, "Five buckets of icy water tossed on you, then you would pass out too," Leilani said, scowling lightly at Raiden. She smiled, chuckling a little to let him know she wasn't mad. She tried to sit up and moaned in pain, falling back down in the bed. "Damn arrow," Leilani said, breathing heavily. "I still have to revoke the treaty between the Earth nation and the Water nation," Leilani said, looking up at Raiden. She was scared, she had learned that traveling could be a very dangerous thing.

[Ushima]

"If you got blasted by a fireball, shot with an arrow, and had...Five buckets of icy water tossed on you, then you would pass out too."

"I wouldn't be to sure of that. This is me were talking about here." Raiden crossed his arms, a light smirk on his face. "At least you're safe now. Thank your sister when you get a chance, she broke me out. I was mistaken for a Raider and attacked on my way to your village. Nothing to major.

"I still have to revoke the treaty between the Earth nation and the Water nation."

"You let me worry about the relations between the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes. It is my duty as Avatar to maintain balance, of course I can have help." He knew Leilani would want to accompany him on his journey, and he wanted her to come along as well. "Besides I have a plan. We'll worry about that later, now scoot over." Raiden got out of his chair and under the covers with Leilani, sure he could've used an empty bed but he saw opportunity here. "I'll keep you warm." A weak excuse at best. Once he was comfortable he wrapped his arms around her and, summoning all his courage, kissed her lips. It was gentle, but filled with longing and burning passion.

~

"See what I tell ya." Sam whispered to Kaimana. The two were peaking into the room. "So how do you think your sister will handle being Fire Lady in a couple years?"

~

Pulling out of the kiss Raiden wore a huge grin. "That was....perfect."

[Froggy]

"I wouldn't be to sure of that. This is me were talking about here."

"Show off," Leilani mumbled, pouting at him as though he were being unfair. "Well I'm a girl, and you're the Prince of Fire. You have to allow some leeway when making fun of me," Leilani said, raising an eyebrow as he smirked at her. She hmpfed and crossed her arms, wincing after she did so. "Stupid arrow," Leilani said, frowning.

"At least you're safe now. Thank your sister when you get a chance, she broke me out. I was mistaken for a Raider and attacked on my way to your village. Nothing to major."

Despite her worry, she couldn't help but laugh. "Oh how the tables have turned!" she said, chuckling at him. He seemed more than okay, so she felt it was only fair to laugh. Besides, he probably would have laughed at her as well.

"You let me worry about the relations between the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes. It is my duty as Avatar to maintain balance, of course I can have help. Besides I have a plan. We'll worry about that later, now scoot over."

Leilani smiled at Raiden, nodding her head slightly. "Oh mighty Avatar, what would I do without you?" she asked, teasing him lightly. She blushed a deep shade of maroon as he told her to scoot over and got in the bed with her. Ooooh if her father saw, or if Kaimana saw, she would never live this down.

"I'll keep you warm."

Leilani smirked as he wrapped his arms around her, using a weak excuse at best. "That might be hard," Leilani said, playing along with his little game, "That water was awwwful cold," she said, smirking lightly. She felt her heart skip a beat as he leaned in and kissed her, and closed her eyes as she leaned into the kiss. It was gentle, warm, and full of passion. She smiled on the inside, knowing that she and Raiden were happy as long as they were together, and that she made him happy. The thought caused butterflies to stir in her stomach.

"That was....perfect."

Leilani chuckled at him. "I'm still cold," she pretended to complain, and smirked lightly at him. "I thought you were suppose to be keeping me warm?" she asked, wrapping her arms around him and smirking lightly.

"So how do you think your sister will handle being Fire Lady in a couple years?"

Kaimana put her hand over her mouth to hide her giggles. "I think the heat will scare her more than being Fire Lady," Kaimana whispered to Sam. "Raiden might have to move down here," Kaimana said, peeking into the room again. "Eeeew sissy making kissy faces," Kaimana said, ducking behind the wall again.

[Ushima]

Sam chuckled. "I don't think Raiden could do that. It'd be hard to run the Fire Nation from the south pole. But if Leilani really love him then nothing would get in her way of being with him, especially not a little bit of heat. Plus it's not that bad really."

~

"I thought you were suppose to be keeping me warm?"

Raiden chuckled. "Sorry." He hugged her closer and raised his body temperature. "There, that better?" He said, stealing more kisses from the girl in his arms. Raiden never thought that he'd be in this situation, happy, in love. Being with Leilani made everything seem right. That in that moment it was just the two of them that mattered, the world was nonexistent and the only thing he wanted to do was continue to kiss Leilani. So he did.

~

Raiden lost track of time. It felt like days had passed, when really he had just spent the last ten minutes attached to Leilani's lips. Raiden felt the airship land on the ground. Breaking the kiss he sighed. "We should go. Your family is waiting." With great reluctance he got out of bed. His clothes wrinkled and his hair a mess. Leilani's was probably wild. "Once the group I rescued is safe and treated and I finish my business here we'll be leaving for the Earth Kingdom again." Raiden said as he out on his boots. Grabbing his sword he put it on his back again, he didn't bother with the rest of his gear. Raiden waited for Leilani to get readt. "So are we entering the awkward 'meeting the girlfriend's parents' stage now?"

[Froggy]

"I don't think Raiden could do that. It'd be hard to run the Fire Nation from the south pole. But if Leilani really love him then nothing would get in her way of being with him, especially not a little bit of heat. Plus it's not that bad really."

Kaimana frowned as she thought about it. "She's not leaving again is she?" Kaimana asked Sam, a look of worry on her face. Every time Leilani left something bad happened to her, and Kaimana always worried about her when she left. "Every time she leaves something bad happens to her, I don't want her to leave again," Kaimana told Sam, hanging her head low.

__________________

"There, that better?"

Leilani nodded her head. She found that she was very comfortable in his arms, and that dating a firebender had its advantages. "Hmmm. It's kind of nice dating a firebender," Leilani smirked, snuggling closely to him as he kissed her. Part of her couldn't believe she was dating anyone, let alone the Fire Prince from the Fire Kingdom. She wondered what her parents would say, and smirked lightly at the thought.

"We should go. Your family is waiting."

Leilani sighed as he broke the kiss, wishing that they didn't have to do anything. That they could steal themselves away for the rest of eternity and just be happy, without worry. "You're probably right," Leilani said, still holding onto his hand.

"Once the group I rescued is safe and treated and I finish my business here we'll be leaving for the Earth Kingdom again."

"Business?" Leilani asked, getting up and stretching lightly. She winced as several of her muscles popped, relaxing her greatly. She looked in the mirror and blushed, knowing that if she didn't fix her hair soon, before Sam saw her, it would give the airbender so much material that she didn't think she could handle it. Plus there was the issue of that darn make-up they'd put on her. "Stupid make-up," Leilani mumbled, grabbing a rag and dabbing it with water, where she proceeded to wipe the make-up off her face. She took the white slash around her belt and turned it inside out, as she didn't have anything else to hold her robes together, and she very well couldn't walk around like that in public. In front of Raiden, maybe, but not in public.

"So are we entering the awkward 'meeting the girlfriend's parents' stage now?"

Leilani smirked as she made her way over to him, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. "What are you talking about, they already met you, remember?" she teased lightly, poking him in the arm. "My dad will have a heart attack. Don't burn the hut down by the way, that might not go over well with them. Dad never thought I would date a firebender," Leilani said, a look of worry on her face. She looked down at her feet and shook her head. "You're going to have to carry me there, I'm not walking on bare ice again," Leilani said, raising an eyebrow lightly. That was truly uncomfortable, and she was thankful to have her firebender back in her life. She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled, leaning her head against his chest.

And then a little bouncing ball of joy entered the room. "Ship's landed, time to go home Leili!" Kaimana said, bouncing all over the place as she ran up to Leilani and Raiden. She took in their appearance and her face twisted in mock-disgust. "Eeeew kissy faces. See you downstairs, better tell dad before I do!" Kaimana giggled, retreating before Leili could catch her. "I can't waaait to meet your brothers and sisters. Hopefully they'll be better behaved than mine," Leilani said, holding his hand again.

[Ushima]

"I can't waaait to meet your brothers and sisters. Hopefully they'll be better behaved than mine."

"They have their moments. Azula though, well she's already tried to kill me twice so....yeah if you ever meet her just come get me immediately." Raiden interlaced their fingers when she took hold of his hand, he didn't want to get her involved in his inner-family termoil this early into their still blooming relationship. "My father would easily accept our relationship, he's never been one for social status, and even he was allowed to pick, court, and marry a woman of his choosing. My mother would love you though, no doubt she'd beign planning a wedding the minute I introduce you to her." Raiden chuckled. He led her through the halls of the ship.

"Raiden." Sam approached them out of one of the empty rooms. "I noticed Leilani's lack of protective footward so I found these for her. An old pair of mine, I haven't been to the poles in over a year. And we're about the same size."

"Great." He took the boots and held them out to Leilani. They were black and orange stripped Tiger Seal (http://mimg.ugo.com/201008/55764/cuts/tiger-seal_480x360.jpg) boots. "There now I don't have to carry you. And you can walk back into your village with your head held high, knowing you survived a terrible ordeal and come out victorious."

[Froggy]

"They have their moments. Azula though, well she's already tried to kill me twice so....yeah if you ever meet her just come get me immediately."

"She tried to kill you twice?" Leilani gasped, looking at him in shock as she was beginning to put two and two together. "Was she the one who sent that mission then?" Leilani asked, holding onto him tightly. It was times like these that she was glad she was not royal.

"My father would easily accept our relationship, he's never been one for social status, and even he was allowed to pick, court, and marry a woman of his choosing. My mother would love you though, no doubt she'd beign planning a wedding the minute I introduce you to her."

Leilani blushed as he spoke of his mother. "Wedding?" Leilani asked nervously. They were still at the early stages in their relationship. They hadn't even been dating for two days. She wasn't ready to be a Fire Princess, or any Princess. Her grip tightened nervously around Raiden's fingers, glancing down. She wasn't sure how that would sit with her father.

"I noticed Leilani's lack of protective footward so I found these for her. An old pair of mine, I haven't been to the poles in over a year. And we're about the same size."

Leilani frowned at the boots, although she supposed they were better than going barefoot. "Thanks," she said to Sam, putting the boots on and raising an eyebrow lightly. Kaimana came into the room, looking impatient. She eyed Leilani and giggled. "You look like a frozen seal," Kaimana said, and Leilani chased after her sister. "That's it!" she shouted, running after the little girl. Kaimana squealed and ran, laughing through the halls as she did so.

"Get back here!" Leilani shouted for the girl, hmpfing and crossing her arms. Ooooh how she would love to spank that child on her bottom, Leilani thought, returning to Raiden and Sam, blushing a deep shade of maroon. "I think you've been a bad influence on her Sam, I'm revoking your rights as babysitter," Leilani frowned, raising an eyebrow lightly.

"There now I don't have to carry you. And you can walk back into your village with your head held high, knowing you survived a terrible ordeal and come out victorious."

Leilani shook her head and sighed. "No I can't," she said, frowning. "Kaimana is going to run to dad about how I tried to spank her," Leilani said, chuckling lightly as they exited the ship and entered the snowy terrain. It was good to be home.

[Ushima]

"Ah the good ol'sibling ass kicking. I remember those." Raiden had a look of nostalgia as he descended the ramp. The people he rescued had already entered the village, some seeking medical treatment, others a decent meal, while a few were looking for a place to get some rest. Raiden retook Leilani's hand. The air ship was to big to land inside so they had a short walk.

"Oh what a lovely village." Sam commented. She hadn't actually seen it since she had dropped Leilani off before they were colse.

"Yep." Raiden said. "It's about to get a little hotter though." He captured Leilani's lips quickly. "If you know what I mean."

"Good luck with officially meeting the parents." Sam patted Raiden on the back before the group descended the ramp and entered the village.

[Froggy]

"Ah the good ol'sibling ass kicking. I remember those."

"She will too...one day," Leilani frowned, raising an eyebrow as she saw Kaimana running into their hut. She couldn't help but feel happy as she watched everyone enter the village, knowing that things were temporarily back to normal. She leaned against Raiden and smiled, feeling that it was good to be home.

"It's about to get a little hotter though."

Leilani smirked as Raiden kissed her again, wrapping her arms tighter around his waist. Leilani pulled out of the kiss and raised an eyebrow at him, smirking. "I thought I was supposed to be holding my head high?" she asked, teasing him. She smiled at the comment Sam made about her village. "That's why I call it home, Sam," Leilani said, feeling more comfortable than she had in weeks...possibly months.

"Good luck with officially meeting the parents."

Leilani frowned lightly as Sam patted Raiden on the back and took off. "This should be interesting," Leilani said, looking at him nervously. She led Raiden to her hut, where she was pulled into a death-grip hug by her mother. "Ow. Mom. I'm here. That hurts," she said, gasping for air. Her mother started sobbing and threw her arms around Raiden, thanking him repeatedly. "Kaimana told us that you rescued her...thank you so much," her mother said, bowing her head to Raiden as she regained composure. "Mom, don't bow, please," Leilani begged, and her mother glared at Leilani.

Her father pulled Leilani into a tight hug and Leilani moaned in pain. "Watch the shoulder," she complained, wrapping a free arm around her father. Her father coughed and stood in front of Raiden, kneeling on his knee as he bowed his head. Leilani blushed a deep shade of maroon and turned around, her hand to her face. "I am truly sorry for the misunderstanding upon your initial arrival. We were under the impression that you were among them, and we can see how wrong we were before. I cannot thank you enough for returning Leilani home safely to us," her father spoke, and Leilani wanted to stomp her foot and scream in embarrassment.

[Ushima]

Raiden bowed back, at the waist. It was a sign that Raiden, even though he was a prince, respected the man in return. "It was no trouble at all I assure you. I'd gladly do it again." Raiden stood straight up. "Leilani means to much for me to just lot her rot away or be sold into slavery." Coming up to stand next to her Raiden put his arm around Leilani and pulled her close to him. "Now please stand. Such displays are not neccessary in my company." If they reacted like that knowing he was a prince he wondered how they'd react if he told them he was the avatar. Thankfully for Leilani he decided to spare her the embarassment. "I'll admit you guys did get the drop on me. Nice strategy, hidding in the snow then springing the ambush. Who developed that strategy?"

"High Chief Codak from the Northern Water Tribe." Leilani's father spoke.

"Did you say Codak?" Raiden scoweled.

"Yes. He will be arriving sometime tomorrow. When he heard news of Leilani's capture he decided to come help." Leilani's father explained. "Though I guess we don't really need it. But since there is no way to contact him at this moment."

"Oh don't worry. I'm sure he'll gladly accept my apology." Raiden did a good job masking his intentions. He wasn't sure how'd these folks would react to Raiden plan, killing High Chief Codak. While each village had it's own leaders. High Chief Codak spoke for the entire collective Water Tribe and was highly respected. He was also highly corrupt, Waterbenders controlled the world's waterways. It didn't matter how well built your ship was, if someone can control what it floats in than all that technology wasn't gonna help. Codak had been hindering trade and hoarding all the recovered supplies. Small outposts and towns in the Earth Kingdom couldn't get what they need. "Would it be to much to ask for a room for the night? I plan on staying, at least until the day after tomorrow."

[Froggy]

"Leilani means to much for me to just lot her rot away or be sold into slavery. Now please stand. Such displays are not neccessary in my company."

Rohan smiled at the Prince as he took his daughter in his hands. It was clear that the two cared for each other, and while the manner in which they met was strange, that was all that mattered to him. As long as Leilani was happy, then he would accept whomever she brought home. He stood and walked over to his wife, Kaiki. "She is lucky to have someone as kind as you," Rohan said, kissing his wife on the cheek, and he smiled at her blush.

"Would it be to much to ask for a room for the night? I plan on staying, at least until the day after tomorrow."

Kaiki stepped forward now. "It will be no trouble at all, I will go prepare your room and start on dinner," she said, smiling at her daughter. Leilani's stomach growled, she hadn't eaten since the day she had come back. "Dinner sounds good mom," Leilani said, smirking lightly at Raiden. "I'll help," she said, kissing Raiden before she left to follow her mother.

[Ushima]

Raiden went outside the tent, finding Sam sitting atop Nisa. He climbed up and sat next to her. "Everything going according to plan?" She asked.

"Better." Raiden smirked. "Codak is coming here tomorrow. When he does, that's when we'll strike. His defenses will be down, he's not expecting anyone here attempting to kill him. For all he knows he's walking into a village of his own people and not a village occupied by the Avatar and his troops."

"I have the forty men from the airship standing by and awaiting your orders." Sam said.

"Excellent. Tell them to rest for now. Tomorrow will be an exciting day." Raiden smiled, the promise of bloodshed always made him heppy. Sam left Raiden's side, going back to the ship to relay Raiden's orders. Stretching Raiden laid back ontop of Nisa, who laid down as well. He could smell dinner cooking, his stomach also making loud noises. "Smells great."

[Froggy]

The entire process of cooking dinner with her mother had been embarrassing. Her mother took every opportunity she could to ask about Raiden, and about her and Raiden. "The Fire Prince," she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "Wow," and Leilani's head sulked. "I know mom," Leilani said, grabbing a knife to cut the meat. Or stab it.

"You shouldn't do that, your shoulder is still injured," her mother said, grabbing the knife from her and properly slicing the fish. They were having a traditional seafood platter of fish, seal, squid, and seaweed cookies with seaweed sprinkles. Of course she wouldn't tell Raiden (or Sam) what was in anything they cooked, but that was beside the point.

When dinner was finally ready and set at the table, she went out the back door and looked around, finding Nisa off in the distance. "Raiden! Sam! Dinner!" she shouted, standing at the door to wait for Raiden.

Kaimana came bursting into the room and looked like a hungry lion-seal. "Foood!" she said, and Leilani grabbed the girl before she could snack on any of it. "You know better, don't think Raiden's going to save you from me Leilani teased the girl, sending her off to the table. "Raiden!" she shouted at the backdoor again, tapping her foot lightly. She hoped they liked the food they had prepared, she had placed extra special care when preparing it.

[Ushima]

Raiden sat up yawning, he had almost fallen asleep. Everything was so calm. There was something appealing about being in a small village like this. If he didn't have to lead an entire nation in a couple years he may think of moving down here.

"Raiden!"

Finally getting up off the skybison's head he dropped to the ground. Raiden had a big smile when he walked over to her. He couldn't help himself, he leaned in and kissed her. Wrapping his arms around her he lifted her up and carried her inside, still connectect to her lips. Finally breaking the kiss he smirked. "I hope dinner tastes as good as you." He winked.

[Froggy]

Leilani smiled as Raiden walked over to her. It was good to see him so happy, and even better to know that she was the reason he was so happy. It was strange, being in love. She'd never experienced the 'butterflies in stomach' feeling before, until Raiden came around. Everything just seemed to be at peace when he was near, like nothing could go wrong.

Her legs felt like jello as he leaned in and kissed her, and she wrapped her arms around him. Her eyes widened as he picked her up, her cheeks flushing lightly as she was carried inside.

"I hope dinner tastes as good as you."

Leilani smacked Raiden in the back of the head. "Not around the parents!" she whispered, looking around the kitchen to make sure they weren't around, or more importantly, Kaimana. "I hope you like it," Leilani said, calling everyone else in for dinner. "Where's Sam? Is she having Nisa for dinner?" Leilani asked, looking concerned for the bison, before chuckling to herself. She sat herself down across the table from Raiden (on purpose), because apparently he couldn't be trusted around her parents to behave. "Behave," she pleaded with him, frowning lightly.

Leilani raised an eyebrow, studying him curiously. She remembered how on the airship Raiden said he had business here, but never answered her question as to what that business was. She crossed her arms at him and leaned back in her chair, looking at him skeptically. "You said on the airship that you had business to take care of here," Leilani said, not blinking once as she questionned him. "And that you had a plan," Leilani said, remembering that part as well, before he'd...distracted her. Her parents and sister came in the room at that point, and she frowned, resuming normal posture.

"Later," she whispered to Raiden, tossing him a bit of a glare. Usually 'business' to him was not very good, and his 'having a plan' thing, could go either way.

[Ushima]

Raiden laughed when she smacked his head, didn't hurt but it probably wasn't meant to. "Sorry I just can't help it." He apologized, though still giving him a wicked grin. Now he knew what his mother meant when she kept telling him; 'wait until you meet a nice girl. Then all this warrior nonsense will stop.' Well that didn't really work out quite like Zara's plan. Raiden was still every bit as much the warrior he was, and now that he was the avatar he'd have to stay that way. But his mother was right in one aspect. After meeting Leilani his worl was turned upside down and now she plauged his thoughts constantly.

"Where's Sam? Is she having Nisa for dinner?"

"Sam is currently carrying out my orders and won't be joining us." Raiden sat himself down. "Though I think that's a good thing. We don't need Sam and Kaimana teaming up on us now do we?" Raiden was disappointed when Leilani sat across from him. Now that he was in love he wanted to be close to her, to experience everything this new feeling had to offer.

"You said on the airship that you had business to take care of here. And that you had a plan."

He cursed inside his head. 'So she didn't forget. Damn this might compplicate things. I can't lie to her, and now that we're together she possesses the perfect tools to extract information.' Raiden glanced at her lips. 'Yep, powerful weapons indeed.' "Oh that smells good." Raiden's mouth watered as the food was set before him. "Thank Agni for this great meal."

[Froggy]

"Sorry I just can't help it."

Leilani smirked lightly at Raiden, bowing to show that she had skills. "I know," Leilani said, chuckling at him. "That's why I'm here and you're there," Leilani said, her smirk growing as she shrugged.

"Though I think that's a good thing. We don't need Sam and Kaimana teaming up on us now do we?"

Leilani looked at him suspiciously as he said Sam was out following his orders. She knew for a fact that was never a good thing, and raised an eyebrow, giving him a hard look. "Just remember Raiden, this is my home you're messing with," Leilani growled, straightening up when her parents entered. She tossed him one more harsh look before her mother began telling Raiden what they'd cooked. "Mom, I wasn't going to tell him any of that!" Leilani squealed, glancing at Raiden in horror. "He didn't need to know that until after he ate it," Leilani pouted, and her mother popped her on the back of the head. "Hush child, this is traditional water tribe food. If he's going to be with you, he may as well get use to it," her mother scolded, and Leilani played the 'Ouch that hurt, I'm still injured,' card again.

"Thank Agni for this great meal."

"Indeed," Leilani said, glancing nervously as Kaimana took the empty seat next to Raiden. "Be nice!" Leilani whispered, looking at her father as he began the prayer.

Once it was over, she looked at her food and dug in, her eyes not leaving her plate for fear that Kaimana would be teasing Raiden, or that her mother would be gushing over him. "Everyone's gone crazy," Leilani whispered to her father, and her father chuckled lightly. "Just wait until you see your friends tomorrow," Rohan said to his daughter, smirking lightly. Leilani looked horrified at the thought and wanted to beat her head on the table.

[Ushima]

"Oh spirits this is good." Raiden was very open minded about food. He'd eat pretty much anything, the traditional Water Tribe meal was no exception. "So Raiden, tell us a bit about yourself." Rohan started conversation. Raiden was busy horsing around with Kaimana, lightly pushing the giggling litte girl and stealing her food.

"Well I'll start with the obvious. I'm the crown Prince of the Fire Nation. A master Bender." Raiden stopped to take a drink. "I enjoy combat, it's one of the greatest forms of expression I know. When I fight I take everything I have and put it out there. It's an artform." Raiden was really passionate about fighting. "I enjoy meditating, it's very relaxing." He knew that meditation will also help him when dealing with the spirits. "Pai Sho is a great game. Helps me practice strategy." There really was nothing special, he like fighting, meditating, and Pai Sho.

"But that's enough about me. Let's talk about Leilani." Raiden really wanted the subject off him.

[Froggy]

"Oh spirits this is good."

Leilani smiled lightly as he enjoyed their food, relieved. It was as though she were watching a completely different person than she had met just two weeks ago. The differences in Raiden now than before were astronomical, he was in her dining room playing with her sister. Something she never would have wanted two weeks ago. She smiled a peaceful smile at Raiden as she watched the two play.

"But that's enough about me. Let's talk about Leilani."

"May I be excused?" Leilani asked, tossing a hard glare at Raiden. "Of course not," her mother said, raising an eyebrow at Leilani. She looked at her father, and avoided looking at Kaimana. Leilani sighed lightly and glared at Raiden again. "I'm nearly a master bender, I prefer sword fighting, I'm not bad at cooking, and I have a sometimes annoying sister," Leilani mumbled, looking down at her food again as she resumed eating her meal, blushing like a lobster.

Her father placed a hand on her hand, and she smiled at him. Her mother continued to question Raiden about this or that, mostly his siblings, and Kaimana continued to shove Raiden around. Leilani kicked Kaimana lightly from under the table, and Kaimana giggled and shoved Raiden again, stealing more of his food.

[Ushima]

Raiden suppressed a laugh as Leilani desperately tried to avoid talking about herself. Was it self-esteem problems or was she just embarrassed? Either way it was cute, the way he could get her to blush. The meal was quickly over and conversation soon died after that, Raiden offered to clean up but Leilani's mother quickly denied him, he was a guest and she didn't want him to do that. Raiden thought it was because he was a prince, but such things weren't beneath him. Many times he was sent to the kitchen as punishment. Raiden excused himself from the table, saying he'll be outside.

He sat on the ground and leaned against the wall of the hut. It wasn't cold, he was a firebender afterall. The fire prince watched as the sun slowly slipped below the horizon. He felt weak, ok not weak but weaker. Fire Benders draw strength from the sun and with it gone Raiden felt really tired. His eyes felt heavy. Raiden let out a loud, beastly yawn. "So tired."

[Froggy]

Leilani helped her mother clean the kitchen, the pots and pans and dishes and forks. By the time the two were finished, Leilani was exhausted. Her mother took Kaimana to get her ready for bed, and Leilani made her way outside to find Raiden. Walking out the front, she saw him leaning against the hut and yawning.

She held her hand to her mouth and suppressed a giggle. "How are you holding up?" she asked, remembering what climate change had done to her body. "Sometimes I forget you aren't use to the cold," she said, sitting down next to him and leaning on him, wrapping an arm around his waist.

She took in the moment, the view of the sunrise and Raiden's close proximity. "They seem to like you," Leilani said, choosing her words carefully without making it obvious. "Kaimana adores you, and mother won't stop gushing about you," Leilani said, blushing and shaking her head. "I think Papa respects you more than anyone he knows," Leilani said, turning to face him. Now came the oh-so-clear-part.

"This is my home Raiden. What are you planning? What is your business here? What orders did you give Sam?" she asked, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at him. "Sam plus orders is not usually a good combination," she said, not giving him the opportunity to argue. Oh how the tables had turned, it was now her interrogating him.

[Ushima]

Raiden wraps hia arm around Leilani. "It's nothing to important. Just some duties as the avatar that I have to fufil. I also want to recruit some more water benders. I know you're talented, but I'd still like more than one in my unit." He knew that in order to complete his mission he needed to gather a strong enough force, that meant gathering benders of all sortsand even non-benders. "I want you to lead them, the water benders. You have talent, not only as a bender, but as a leader. Which would come in handy as Firelady." He teased, hoping to get her offtrack. He didn't want to talk about his plans, he was already uncomfortable with the idea of it.

[Froggy]

"It's nothing to important. Just some duties as the avatar that I have to fufil. I also want to recruit some more water benders. I know you're talented, but I'd still like more than one in my unit. I want you to lead them, the water benders. You have talent, not only as a bender, but as a leader. Which would come in handy as Firelady."

Leilani raised an eyebrow questioningly at Raiden and blushed lightly, though still suspicious. She slid out of his arms and looked at him coldly, wondering what 'Avatar duties' he was talking about. "I'm a little confused," Leilani said, looking at him curiously. "I'm new to this whole relationship thing, so you're going to have to explain how it works. It's even more confusing when you add in the whole 'being the Avatar' thing...I'm a little unclear as to what the Avatar's duties are exactly," she said, wording her sentences carefully.

"As future Firelady I think we should clear a few things up now," Leilani said, playing along with him for now. "I thought relationships were about trust and not hiding things, and kissing," she said, adding the kissing part last. She wrapped her arms back around him and kissed him on the cheek. "I was also under the impression that the duties of the Avatar included maintaining balance between nations, and protecting the innocent," Leilani questionned, raising an eyebrow as she kissed him on the neck and looked up, batting her eyes at him.

"What I'm wondering is, based off of those duties, who you have to protect here now that things are back to normal?" Leilani asked, stealing a kiss on the lips before standing up. "Maybe I'm out of line, with you being the Fire Prince and all-knowing Avatar, and since I don't know how things work," Leilani said, turning to leave. She paused. "Enjoy your spare room tonight," she said, moving her foot forward as though to walk away, but pausing in mid-step.

[Ushima]

"It's not that I don't want to tell you." Raiden started. His hands were shaking, he was nervous. "My life is dangerous. I want to protect you from it, I don't want to see the one I love getting hurt, or worse." A lump formed in his throat when he thought of what could possibly happen. He just got her in his life, he doesn't want to loose her. Codak no doubt would be with highly elite benders who could easily overpower him if he wasn't careful, what would that be against Leilani? Raiden refused to find out. "I don't want to loose you Leilani. I love you. I'm sorry for being secretive."

[Froggy]

"My life is dangerous. I want to protect you from it, I don't want to see the one I love getting hurt, or worse. I don't want to loose you Leilani. I love you. I'm sorry for being secretive."

Leilani turned around at the sound of Raiden's voice and noticed that his hands were shaking. Her heart sunk, and she knelt down beside him, holding his hands. "You don't have to protect me here, Raiden. I'm home. Everything is okay now thanks to your help," Leilani said, hugging him tightly. "This is my home, and I care about it like you care about yours. But I also care about you," Leilani said, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"What is so dangerous that you have to protect me from here, aside from my friends who will torture me with questions tomorrow?" she asked, frowning at the thought. Suddenly she got the feeling that someone was watching her, watching them, and shivered...and not from the cold either.

She looked up and her eyes gazed carefully across the snow. She could see a figure on a rooftop watching them, and raised her head in alarm. The figure noticed that she had spotted him, whoever it was, and took off in a back alley. "Kaimana?" she asked, looking back in through the tent. She saw the little girl asleep in her room and smiled, knowing that she was safe. "Okay Raiden, seriously. Please tell me, this is starting to freak me out," Leilani said, looking back at the dark rooftops. She had the shivers now.

[Ushima]

This girl wasn't giving up. And when she spoke it was the last straw before he broke. "Codak. Tomorrow. I'm going to kill him." Raiden clenched a fist, the knuckles cracking loudly. The thought of what that man was doing to those poor villagers made his blood boil. His body temperature actually rose sevearl noticable degrees. "That man will pay for what he's done, he'll pay in blood."

[Froggy]

"Codak. Tomorrow. I'm going to kill him."

Leilani's body tensed and her nails dug into his sides at his words and expressions. She watched how he turned from sad to angry in a matter of seconds, though remained still. She had to at least try to trust him, even if that was the most...treacherous thing she could do to her village, her nation, at that point.

"That man will pay for what he's done, he'll pay in blood."

She could see Raiden getting angry, to the point that the wall was starting to melt where he was leaning against. She quickly bended it back to normal before it could do any structural damage, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, trying to calm him down. "What are you talking about?" Leilani asked him, doing her best to calm him down. She never wanted to see that side of Raiden again. "What has Codak done?" Leilani asked, massaging his shoulders.

"Is that who was watching us?" Leilani asked, glancing up towards the rooftops and alleys. "Is watching us," she corrected herself, her eyes landing on a figure near a hut in the distance. Her body tensed and an ice barrier formed around her and Raiden, slowly creeping over her hut. She was not about to let some crazy intruder come and hurt her family, or Raiden. And she wasn't about to let Raiden get into a killing spree, either. That would look bad in front of her parents, and it would probably scare Kaimana. "Maybe we should talk about this inside?" Leilani suggested, glancing at Raiden nervously.

[Ushima]

Someone was intruding on their privacy? Raiden wanted to get up and chase the bastard down and find out why he was watching them. He was sure Leilani could tell, they way his muscles bulged and the way his eyes hardened and narrowed. He was about to get up when Leilani put up a barrier.

"Maybe we should talk about this inside?"

Raiden said nothing, just stood up. He took Leilani's hand and led her insdie. "Listen, love, I'm sorry for not telling you everything. And you can't really fault my desire to protect you, it's natural when you're in love. But Codak is a very bad man. He's hurting people and I can't let that continue."

[Froggy]

"Listen, love, I'm sorry for not telling you everything. And you can't really fault my desire to protect you, it's natural when you're in love. But Codak is a very bad man. He's hurting people and I can't let that continue."

Leilani frowned lightly at Raiden. What was he talking about? How did he know Codak was a bad man, and what was Codak doing that made him such a bad person? Leilani sighed at Raiden and held his hands. "I know you only want to protect me, but I'm not completely helpless," Leilani said, smirking lightly.

"I just want to know why Codak is a bad man. What is he doing, how can you be so sure?" Leilani asked, leading him to the dining room table again. She sat next to him this time, to show that she still trusted his judgement. While she may have trusted him, she wanted to know everything.

"I grew up with this man as the great leader of our nation. It's a little difficult for me to wrap around that the Earth General and Codak are-" Leilani said, pausing in mid-sentence as though she'd had a brain fart. "How did you say you knew this again?" Leilani asked, looking at him with a slightly frightened look on her face. She wasn't afraid of Raiden, more of what she was starting to realize.

[Ushima]

Raiden allowed himself to be dragged over to the table. "I know you can protect yourself. But I won't make any promises that I won't come rushing to your side. I get that desire burning through me." He'd try but he'd at least like to here that his heroics were appreciated.

"I just want to know why Codak is a bad man. What is he doing, how can you be so sure? I grew up with this man as the great leader of our nation. It's a little difficult for me to wrap around that the Earth General and Codak are-How did you say you knew this again?"

Raiden, having somewhat regained himself, smirked. "You don't think I keep tabs on everyone?" Really what kind of military man did she take him for? "Codak has been using his benders to stop Earth Kingdom supply ships from reaching costal towns. They can't get things like medicine, food, and weapons. Once the towns have weakened he'd send a landing party to take the town. Codak now has a place to land troops to launch attacks against the Earth Kingdom."

[Froggy]

"I know you can protect yourself. But I won't make any promises that I won't come rushing to your side. I get that desire burning through me."

Leilani smiled lightly, kissing him on the cheek again. "I know, and I love you so much for that and so many other things," Leilani said, holding his hand tightly. It was...strange being in love the way they were, it was something she had never experienced before. It was strange having someone outside of the family who loved her for who she was and would do anything to save her. She smirked lightly, a thought popping back into her mind. "I guess I really am living every girl's dream," Leilani said, chuckling as she winked at him.

"You don't think I keep tabs on everyone?"

Leilani frowned lightly as Raiden pointed that out to her. "Sometimes it's hard to remember your political standing," Leilani said, shrugging and grinning. "At least when we're talking like this," Leilani said, smiling at him again. Every now and then she would forget about his military matters, until something came along (like now), that interested her.

"Codak has been using his benders to stop Earth Kingdom supply ships from reaching costal towns. They can't get things like medicine, food, and weapons. Once the towns have weakened he'd send a landing party to take the town. Codak now has a place to land troops to launch attacks against the Earth Kingdom."

Leilani frowned, her body frozen in place. She was silent for several moments after that, mouthing words that probably didn't make sense to him. She was remembering words he'd said when she first saw the softer side of Raiden. That night where he'd held her captive and taken her for dinner.

"War about...expansion," she mumbled, looking straight out as she began putting two and two together. "Earth King corrupt. I signed treaty with the Earth Kingdom," Leilani mumbled, standing up and pacing the room now. "Tribes agreed to revoke the treaty. I volunteered to revoke treaty." Leilani turned and paced in another direction. "Codak corrupt, destroying Earth villages...why?" she paused, glanced at Raiden, and continued her pacing as she thought. She just about feinted when she came to her final conclusions. "Codak knows about treaty...Codak attacking Earth villages while in a treaty. War about expansion. Raiders-" Leilani paused, looking in the direction the ship use to be.

"Raiders started five months ago. Codak...trying to wipe out our village. Codak hired raiders? To get our land? ...I volunteered to revoke treaty. Codak wants to start a war so he can openly attack. Codak doesn't want treaty revoked. Codak coming...to finish me off..." Leilani said, leaning against the wall and feeling dizzy when she finished. She almost screamed for her father, but looked at Raiden instead. "I have to get the others out. Before Codak gets here tomorrow. If Codak is trying to expand, he doesn't want the treaty revoked. He wants to start a war with the Earth Kingdom, and is framing the Fire Nation by hiring raiders. He's been trying to finish off our village for five months..." Leilani said, sliding down to the floor and rubbing her temples, as a headache was starting to form.

"I am in waaaay over my head. What do we do?" she asked Raiden, looking up at him worridly. Her breathing was becomming heavier, and her hands were starting to shake with worry. She looked at Kaimana again, worried for her safety. She looked towards her paren'ts room, worried about their safety. She looked back at Raiden, worried about his safety. While at the same time, her own face was pale and she looked as though she would be sick. Her home had just been turned upside-down and was under the threat of invasion, the very next day. What was worse was that she didn't know what to do about it.

[Ushima]

Raiden went up to Leilani and gave her the biggest, deepest kiss he could. If it workded once to calm her down it should work a second time. Breaking the kiss he shook her lightly, trying to get her to focus. "Listen to me." This was very important, she had to listen. "Codak does not know we have this information. He does not know that the Pheonix Prince, the Avatar, is in the village. He doesn't know that you're breaking the treaty. He's coming down here with a few benders to try and "rescue" you remember? No one can get a message to him so he doesn't know you're safe." Raiden kissed her once more. "My men can take on his troops. Sam and I can take his Honor Guard and then I'll deal with him. "Your people." He kissed her. "Your family." And again. "And you aboce all else will be safe. You have my word." And he pulled her in for a longer one. "Now lets get you off to bed my love." He picked her up bridal style carrying her off to her room. "Better get used to being carried like this." Raiden wanted to get her mind off the battle tomorrow. If she was going to join him she'd learn quickly that it's best not to dwell on them. Setting her down he kissed the top of her head. "Sweet dreams."

[Froggy]

"Listen to me."

Leilani could feel herself relaxing at Raiden's touch, at his kiss. She had stopped shaking, but her heart was still beating fast, and she was still scared. She didn't know what to expect, she just didn't know.

"Codak does not know we have this information. He does not know that the Pheonix Prince, the Avatar, is in the village. He doesn't know that you're breaking the treaty. He's coming down here with a few benders to try and "rescue" you remember? No one can get a message to him so he doesn't know you're safe."

"But he will know," Leilani said, looking at him with worry. "He'll know you're here with your troops, wonder why, and then he'll see that I'm still alive and know you had something to do with it," Leilani said, shaking again. She leaned into his kiss and held her arms around him, doing her best to calm down.

"My men can take on his troops. Sam and I can take his Honor Guard and then I'll deal with him. Your people."

Leilani was looking at him with wonder, and with worry. Although not for worry of the attack, for worry of his safety. And oddly enough, Sam's safety as well. She smiled weakly as he kissed her again, she could get use to that part.

"Your family. And you aboce all else will be safe. You have my word."

"But what about-" Leilani tried to argue, but he pulled her in for a longer kiss and she could feel her body turning to jello in his hands. When he finally pulled out, she smiled weakly. "What about you?" she asked, frowning again. "I want you to be safe too," Leilani said, pausing for a moment. "And Sam too I suppose," she said, still frowning.

"Now lets get you off to bed my love. Better get used to being carried like this."

Leilani held on to Raiden tightly, leaning her head against his chest. "I think I already have," Leilani said, snuggling into him. Again, there were advantages to dating a fire bender. "I love you, so much," Leilani told him as he put her in her bed. She smiled as he kissed the top of her head, and wished her sweet dreams. "Don't go," Leilani whispered, looking at him sadly. "All that worrying has made me cold," she said, using a weak excuse at best to keep him around. She scooted over and snuggled under the blankets, smiling as she looked up at him.

[Ushima]

Raiden stepped out of his boots and took off his shirt. She was using the same excuse he used earlier, these two were more alike than they knew. He smiled as he got under the covers next to her. The bed was piled high with animal furs to keep warm. Wrapping his arms around her he pulled her close to him. Once he was comfortable and Leilani cuddled up next to him did he let himself be taken by sleep.

~

He had a dreamless sleep, strange because normally he had nightmares about the horrors of war. But he wasn't complaining, at least he had a full night's sleep. PLaing a gentle kis on Leilani's lips he slowly pulled himself from her tight grip. Grabbing his shirt and boots he put them back on before leaving. He had to do a bit of training, but he also didn't want to get caught by Leilani's parents or Kaimana. The little girl teased them enough as it is, didn't need her running around saying they did stuff they didn't. Once outside he took a deep breath, the sun was just peaking up over the horizon.

First he did a bit of strethching, his joints popped and cracked. Now that he was loose he started running. He ran twice around the village then all the way back to the airship where Sam was waiting for him. "Morning Sam."

"So how did meeting the parents go?" She greeted.

"It went well. I think Rohan was this close to offering me his daughters hand in marriage." Raiden chuckled as he did a few more stetched to ward off the fatigue of running.

"Oh we all know you would've accepted." Sam pushed Raiden. "Let's go lover boy, we got some sparring to do."

"Right." Sam was a tough opponent to fight, she kept moving which made he difficult to hit. "Hold still so I can blast you!" Sam just laughed at him, dodging another jet of fire launched from Raiden's fist. After a good two hour sparring session the two were left panting on the ground. "I. Still. Got. You." Raiden said between pants.

"So. Did. I." Sam came back. Once the two had caught their breath Sam asked the ever important question. "So what's the plan?"

"We're gonna move the airship behind that mountain so Codak won't see it when he arrives. I want the rest of the men in the village disguesed as the villagers. I want Codak to feel as if everything was as he left it. That there are no enemies here. He'll drop his guard, then we launch our attack."

"Sounds good." Sam stood up. "What are you gonna do?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Sam helped the tired Fire Prince stand. "Go spend time with my girl. Cause if I'm not there she tends to get into situations."

"Yeah she dosen't have the best track record." Sam giggled. "Go keep your Water Princess safe." Raiden just nodded before he began his walk back into the village.

[Froggy]

Leilani slept a dreamless sleep, no nightmares from her travels or anything. No shades of blues and greens, just...nothing. It was the most peaceful sleep she'd gotten in a long time, and she had Raiden to thank for that. It appeared as though he was keeping her safe in more ways than one, and the thought made her snuggle closer to him.

She frowned when he woke up, and made it difficult for him to remove himself from her grip. She knew he had to train. She knew she had responsibilities. The children would want their waterbending lessons now that she was back, and her friends would want to hound her about Raiden.

She sighed when Raiden left and prepared for the day. Shower first, breakfast, then she met the kids at the other side of the village near the tidal pools. She taught them a few things here and there, her lessons delving more into the art of waterbending now that they were familiar with it. After that she headed home, but got stopped by a group of her friends in the center of the village.

"Leilani and Raiden K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" one of the girls shouted, and it reminded her oddly of Sam's teasing, which caused her to blush a deep shade of red. Her closer friends pulled her into a hug, glad to have her home again. They asked the questions along the lines of, "How long will you be here? What are you doing next? What's going to happen with you and Raiden?", and Leilani was more than pleased to answer those questions.

A group of guys showed up, including a few that she knew and called friends. One or two walked up and hugged her, which caused her to blush greatly. "Leili, stick to your Prince, he's mine," one of the girls said, pulling Joel into a death-grip hug. Leilani just shrugged as though it wasn't her fault, which it wasn't. "Can we talk?" Aaron asked, and she looked at him skeptically. "...Alone?" he specified, and she looked towards Raiden's airship. "Sure, what's up?" Leilani asked, following him towards the alleys, but keeping her distance.

[Ushima]

Entering the village Raiden was greeted warmly, ha get it? The people seemed to accept him here. Taking out the raiders put him in high standing, also the fact that he was courting one of their own didn't hurt either. "Excuse me?" Raiden looked down to see several young kids looking up at him. "Is that your skybison? Can we have a ride?"

"It's my friend's." Seeing the kid's degected face he couldn't help it. "But I'm sure she won't mind. Come on." The kids cheered and followed him toward Nisa. Raiden loved kids, he was often looked up to and fun. The skybison stood up and the kids started climbing on the large animal. Raiden smiled as he watched the kids play. They were having a blast.

"This is awesome!" Nisa lifted off the ground and the kids jumped off into a large pile of snow, laughing their heads of. Raiden laughed.

"Leilani and Raiden K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

At first he thought it was Sam or Kaimana. But Sam was busy moving the ship and Kaimana....well he didn't know where she was, maybe still asleep? Looking to his left he saw a group of people all hugging Leilani. They looked around her age. "Must be her friends." That made Raiden miss his friends, the ones he grew up with, the ones that weren't dead. The funniest bunch of guy's he's ever known. "Be careful Nisa." The bison let out a rumble as Raiden walked over to the group. Reaching up he adjusted his katana so it fit more comfortably on his back.

[Froggy]

Aaron paused just inside an alleyway, glancing towards the airship nervously. He didn't like firebenders, didn't like Leilani dating a firebender. The thought alone made him rather uneasy. "I'm glad you're finally home," Aaron said, looking at Leilani. He wondered how he could word this without making Leilani made.

"I know you're happy, but I'm worried about you," he said, deciding to go straight to the point. "A month ago you hated firebenders just as much as anyone in this village, but now you're attatched to him every chance you get. He's a killer Leilani, that's why they call him the Pheonix Prince. What happens if you make him angry? What happens if his parents don't like you, only after you've already gone into his Kingdom?" Aaron asked, stepping closer to Leilani until he was only a foot away.

"What happens if things don't work out and you get stuck over there?" Aaron asked, and he could see a look of worry on her face. "I care about you Leilani, more than you've ever known," a large lump formed in his throat as he glanced at the shocked expression on her face. "If you were to stay here, with me, nothing bad would ever happen to you again. I would keep you and your family safe," he said, reaching out for one of her hands. She rejected his touch, and that made him nervous.

"But if you go back with him, life will get so much more difficult for you. Imagine how soon you'll have to marry him if his parents do like you. Imagine how long it'll be before you saw your village again if that happened," he said, frowning lightly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leilani stood there in complete shock as Aaron began speaking. It was like he was trying to paint Raiden in a bad light, but nothing could ever paint Raiden in a bad light. He did have a slight point about his temper, but Leilani knew that she could calm him down in a heartbeat. "Aaron you have it all wrong," Leilani said, taking a step back from him. She suddenly felt very uncomfortable being in an alley with him, and had deja vu moments reminding her of Sam.

"Raiden is...working on his anger. I have seen him change more than any other person I know, and for the better. He isn't just a fire bender or the Fire Prince, he's the Avatar. His job is to help people, not just me, not just us, but everyone. He is helping our tribe, helping our families. He got rid of the Raiders to save me," Leilani said, frowning as Aaron took another step forward. She had a feeling things were about to get very, very bad, and didn't like it.

"He cares about me for who I am, and has helped me more times than you would imagine. I care about him for who he is, for who he is trying to be, for the good things he has done. He is not the same Fire Prince he was a month ago, he's someone completely different now. And I love him for that," Leilani said. Now was the time to choose her words carefully as she took another step back.

"But you," she said, forcing a smile. She felt her back hit something icy and hard, and glanced to see that an ice barrier had been built behind her, blocking off her exit from the alley. Sh*t. "Aaron you've been here since we were kids. You've always helped me, and I will always appreciate it. But we're just friends Aaron, really, really good friends. I don't want to ruin the friendship we have over the relationship I have with Raiden," Leilani said, tensing up lightly at the look on his face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aaron scowled at Leilani's rejection, and built an ice barrier so that she wouldn't run. The two were pretty evenly matched in bending, but he had more room than she did, so he had the advantage. "I see," Aaron said, his tone sarcastic and uncaring now. "You don't want to ruin our friendship over being in love with a Prince," Aaron said, cursing now. Ice daggers shot out of the ice wall towards Leilani, and he glared at her for her trechery.

"Trecherous..." Aaron said, coming up with any dirty name he could in the book as Leilani dodged the ice crystals.

She took up a defensive position, building a large barrier in front of her. He tried to shatter it, but it was too strong. So he would have to go under the barrier, then. The ice shattered bellow her and he watched as she fell into the icy waters bellow, gasping for air. "You're making a mistake Leilani," Aaron said, allowing her the ability to climb out of the water. She was shivering with cold.

"No, you are," Leilani said, her vision returning to shades of blues and greens again. "Aaron I don't want to hurt you, just leave me alone and I won't have to tell Raiden," Leilani said, standing up as she began working on destroying the ice wall. He flinched at Raiden's name and wrapped an ice-belt around her waist, pulling her to the ground. "That's it!" Leilani shouted, and the next thing he knew, his ice wall shattered into a thousand tiny daggers that raced towards him. The belt vanished around Leilani, and Aaron was forced to build a protective barrier around him to avoid being sliced to pieces.

He cursed at Leilani again, returning the attack on her. She rose the ice beneath her and was standing taller than he was, and he rose the ice beneath him to level the fight out. It appeared as though they were on a platform between houses now, and Aaron started bending that platform backwards to avoid damaging the houses, and out into the town. He tried anything he could to weaken her platform, to make her fall, but it was too strong. Leilani bended the ice to make a sword, and Aaron did the same. "So this is how it has to be," Aaron said, slicing his sword through the air at her.

"Only because you made it this way," Leilani said, blocking his attack. She was still cold from her dive in the icy water, but she knew she had to focus. She wondered what the look on Raiden's face (and possibly Sam's too) when they saw large ice platforms rising from the ground, and people fighting on top of it. She snickered at the thought and attacked Aaron, wishing that he would just things be the way they were.

The ice platforms continued to grow and shrink at will, playing an endless game of cat and mouse. At one point the platforms grew as tall as the airship itself, to the point that Leilani could see people watching them inside it, and the thought made her dizzy. She hated heights, so the first thing she did was lower her platform as soon as it got that high. At one point she jumped back down on the ground, but another platform was raised underneath her. Leilani had received several nasty slices on her arms from his ice-blade, and he had received quiet a few himself. They were both exhausted, and evenly matched.

Finally the ice platforms began to move in rigid manners, trying to throw each other off balance and off the platforms. They shrunk in diameter until they both had little room to stand and fight. "Aaron stop, this is ridiculous. You do realize that Raiden will probably kill you when we get down, right?" Leilani asked Aaron, and Aaron paused. "Don't make me bend your blood," Leilani threatened, panting from exhaustion. At this point her vision was completely and one hundred percent normal, and she highly doubted that she would be able to bend his blood in this state of exhaustion, but it was an admirable threat that he seemed to believe.

Until he took advantage of her momentary exhaustion and completely shattered her ice platform, breaking it into several large chunks and a thousand small pieces that all raced towards the ground at the same time, including her. Leilani screamed and bended the ice in the shape of a tentacle, which held her up safely from the ground. Aaron's ice platform shrunk to the size of her tentacle, and he aimed a deadly blow at the link holding Leilani in the air, and caused it to shatter. "If I can't have you, nobody can!" he shouted, forming a new platform of his own as he watched Leilani fall towards the ground.

[Ushima]

"Wow look at that!" One of the kids pointed up in the air.

Radien turned and looked. "What the?" He could see ice platforms in the air. "Leilani!?" He could easily see his love fighting with some guy. The bending she was doing was skillful but the guy soon seemed to get the upper hand as Leilani got really tired. Raiden knew that to get Leilani to fighting condition he'd have to up her stamina. "Kids get off!" Raiden ordered as he started sprinting toward the platforms. His eyes widened in horror as Leilani fell. "Nisa!" The skybison flew infront of Raiden. While she was still in mid air he jumped, run up the tail to the head as Nisa flew higher then jumped off, catching Leilani. "Gotcha!" The couple landed on Nisa's back.

"This is gonna become a regular thing isn't it?" Raiden teased. Looking around he couldn't find the guy she was fighting. "Fuck! He got away. He better show himself cause if I find him he's dead." Raiden threatened. No one attempts to kill his girlfriend and lives, nobody.

[Froggy]

Leilani tried to bend another tentacle, a slide, anything to catch her in the air like before, but her arms were tired and there was a pain in her side from exhaustion. She felt herself racing towards the ground and screamed, thinking that if the impact didn't kill her, Raiden would.

That was when she felt a hand grab her robes, and stop her in mid-air. She fell on something hard, but when she peeked through her fingers it wasn't the ground...instead it was Nisa's saddle, and Raiden was holding her. She looked happy and worried at the same time. She knew Raiden would kill her for not going to him straight away, but she didn't exactly have the chance.

"This is gonna become a regular thing isn't it? Fuck! He got away. He better show himself cause if I find him he's dead."

Leilani frowned, leaning onto Raiden in sheer exhaustion. Her arms were bleeding, there was a bruise on her cheek, and she was out of breath. "I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen. He got so mad when I wouldn't choose him over you," Leilani said, shaking her head. And to think, she had no idea Aaron had ever had those feelings for her. "Fly me home Raiden, I don't trust him one bit," Leilani said, eyeing her hut suspiciously. She hoped Sam was back to babysitting Kaimana again.

[Ushima]

"Got it." Nisa landed outside Leilani's hut. Picking her up he got off Nisa. He placed Leilani onto her feet but still held onto her. "Don't worry he won't try anything again if he's smart. But I don't think he is, seeing as he was dumb enough to attack you." Raiden knew she must be feeling a bit down. "You handled yourself rather well in that fight. Your only problem is your stamina. That's a problem we can easily fix."

Several people came running at the two. It was that group he had seen Leilani in earlier, her friends. Raiden noticed one of her 'friends' was missing. But he honestly wasn't surprised. "Oh spirits are you alright?" They crowded the couple asking all sorts of questions. Raiden didn't know what to tell them, he didn't know these people, what made them tick. So he left the answers up to Leilani, obviously she would understand her friends better.

[Froggy]

"You handled yourself rather well in that fight. Your only problem is your stamina. That's a problem we can easily fix."

Leilani smiled lightly at his compliment, but frowned at the fixing her stamina part. "Just don't get me up before seven and we'll still be on good terms," Leilani glared at Raiden to let him know she was serious. "I don't care what unspiritly hours you get up, just don't get me involved before seven," she said, crossing her arms and huffing. At least he finally got to see that she could take care of herself, at least for a little while.

"Oh spirits are you alright?"

Leilani looked at one of her friends as she was pulled into a hug. "I'm okay. Just sore and tired," Leilani said, frowning as she looked down. She saw red everywhere and sighed, shaking her head. "And bleeding. I'll tell you guys about it tomorrow, okay?" Leilani asked, facepalming when she realized that Codak was still coming in a matter of hours. "I forgot about later, shoot," Leilani said, shaking her head. "At least I can blame this on the raiders if he asks," Leilani said, leading Raiden into the hut and ignoring her parent's shocked expressions, and Kaimana's bickering. "I'll explain later!" she shouted over the noise, scummaging around to find a bandage.

[Ushima]

"Shame you don't have the ability to use your water bending to heal injuries. That would make this so much easier." Raiden put his hands on Leilani's shoulders and forced her to sit. "Let me handle this." Thr fire prince quickly found a roll of bandages and began wrapping the wound. "The bleeding will stop in a few minutes." Raiden wrapped it tight. "Should fully heal in the next couple days." Raiden finished up and put the unused portion of bandage away. Moving in front of Leilani he sat down and took her hands. "Now as for training. It starts at the break of dawn. I will not tolerate slacking, especially not from you. You're the significant other of the Pheonix Prince and the Avatar. You need to be at the top of your game." He touched his forehead to hers. "That's the way it has to be, sorry. You want to walk with me on this journey, this is the road." Leaning in Raiden touched his lips to hers, it had been to long since they last kissed.

[Froggy]

"Shame you don't have the ability to use your water bending to heal injuries. That would make this so much easier."

"I know," Leilani said, frowning as he forced her to sit. She was too nervous to sit, but she made herself as she didn't want to upset Raiden. She watched as he found bandages and began wrapping her arm. She winced lightly as he wrapped it tightly, but at least it would make the bleeding stop.

"Now as for training. It starts at the break of dawn. I will not tolerate slacking, especially not from you. You're the significant other of the Pheonix Prince and the Avatar. You need to be at the top of your game."

Leilani frowned and looked down at his words. "I don't like the sound of that," she said, smirking as she crossed her arms lightly. "What are you going to do if I slack?" Leilani teased, smirking. She was curious but part of her didn't want to know. Then again, what was the worst he would do to her? Lock her in a cage again? "Just remember this when I'm teaching you how to waterbend," Leilani said, still frowning at him as he put his forehead against hers and held her hands.

"That's the way it has to be, sorry. You want to walk with me on this journey, this is the road."

Leilani was about to argue when he pressed his lip to hers, and she instantly relaxed. He knew how to calm her down, and he knew what made her happy. She was so grateful he was in her life, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "Just don't go overboard...I'm delicate." Leilani said, breaking from the kiss and smirking lightly. She kissed him again before pulling back a little and looking at him in the eyes. "I love you," she said, leaning her forehead onto his.

[Ushima]

"Just don't go overboard...I'm delicate."

"Aw but that's the best way to learn." Raiden always pushed himself to his breaking point and then he worked even harder. Many times he awoke in his bed without knowing how he got there, his instructor carried his unconscioius body back from the training grounds. He was always pushing the limits of his abilities, allowing his power to grow rapidly. "I love you to, so much." The couple just sat there, holding eachother, forheads touching. Every now and then one of them would kiss the other. It was moments like that Raiden loved, where they could just be near eachother, they didn't need to speak or do anything, other than kiss now and then, to enjoy themselves. Of course nothing could ever last.

"My lord." Sam entered. Her tone serious, she always got like this before an important battle. "Codak's ship was spotted off the coast, he'll be docking in a matter of minutes."

"Are the men in place?" Raiden asked.

"They've borrowed clothes and are blending in. Codak will have no idea we're here." Raiden stood up, extended his hand to Sam. The airbender handed him his sword. "We attack on your order."

Raiden was about to step through the doorway but stopped, looking back at Leilani. "Can you fight with your wound?"

[Froggy]

"Aw but that's the best way to learn."

Leilani punched Raiden in the shoulder lightly. "Go easy, I mean it," Leilani said, glaring at him. She relaxed as he kissed her, and she wrapped her arms around him again. She loved the way simply feeling close to him made her happy and giddy on the inside. She loved his ability to calm her down so quickly, his ability to make her happy, and her ability to make him happy. Every now and then he would kiss her, and she would kiss him.

And then Sam came in.

"Codak's ship was spotted off the coast, he'll be docking in a matter of minutes."

Leilani's stomach turned over and twisted into knots at Sam's news, as she listened to their conversation. Part of her wondered how she should approach Codak, or how he would approach her. He was expecting for her to be captured, not to be a live and...for the most part, well. She was lost in her own thought process while they discussed the positions of his men. How would Codak react when he saw her standing, she wondered? Or when he learned that Raiden had saved her?

"Can you fight with your wound?"

"Of course," Leilani said, standing up. "Sam," she called after the airbender, a thought popping into her mind. She met Sam in the kitchen, and Kaimana seemed to notice that something was going on. "Sam, take Kaimana to the airship immediately," Leilani told Sam, her tone serious. Kaimana tried to argue, but Leilani shook her head. "Now is not the time Kaimana," she told her sister, pulling her into a brief hug. "Besides, you get to ride Nisa," she said, smiling at her sister. She didn't trust Codak, but she knew that in order for this to seem genuine in the very least, her parents had to be there. At least she would be able to keep Kaimana safe.

She went to the armory and grabbed her sword, taking it from the sheath. She came back into the living room and tossed her sword to Raiden, knowing that as one of the first people to greet Codak, she wouldn't need it right away.

[Ushima]

Raiden took her sword. "Come on kid." Sam took Kaimana's hand. "It's about to get loud."

"Hurry back." Sam nodded and left the hut, Kaimana in tow. "Everything is gonna be fine. I promise." He kissed her once before the couple left the hut. Codak had alreadt landed and entered the village. He was flanked by six men, his honor guard, all trained to protect VIPs. Behind him were twenty other men, the troops he was going to use to 'save' Leilani. The couple approached the large gathering of people, hiding in the crowd. Raiden could hear Codak talking.

"What do you mean she's already been rescued?"

Raiden tightened his grip on Leilani's hand. "Get ready."

"Raiden saved her, the Prince of the Fire Nation."

"The Fire Prince?"

It was in that confusion that Raiden launched his attack. Sam and Nisa had returned. Nisa used her tail to blast the regular benders. They went flying and Raiden's men revealed themselves. People ran screaming and Raiden rushed forward, approaching two honor guards. Jumping up he spread his legs, kicking both of them. "High Chief Codak!" Codak had short greying and black hair, a thick beard and bright blue eyes. His skin was almost as scarred as Raiden's. "Your corruption ends today!"

[Froggy]

"What do you mean she's already been rescued?"

Leilani bit her lip at Codak's confusion and stepped forward. She didn't like the 26 men he was armed with, it seemed like overkill for a 'rescue' mission. Codak eyed her suspiciously as she stepped forward, and Leilani looked nervous. She watched as Raiden stepped forward and launched his attack.

Immediately she was pulled by the hair by one of Codak's honor guards, and tossed to the ground. "Raiden! Sword! Now!" Leilani shouted, dodging an ice dagger.

"Trechery!" one of the honor guards shouted, aiming an ice-infused punch for Leilani's face. Leilani dodged and rolled out of the way just in time. She bended an ice-pit around her with little platforms around for her to fight off of. A few of the benders tried jumping on the platforms, but Leilani shattered them and dumped them into the icy waters bellow.

That was when a large ice-whip entered her circle, and wrapped around her waist. "RAIDEN! Sword!" she shouted again, trying to shatter the whip, but it was too strong. She was pulled forward and launched into the air, and sent flying several feet back. She stood and began attacking right back, bending her own sword of ice until Raiden threw her sword to her.

[Ushima]

"Next time keep it!" Raiden threw the sheathed blade toward Leilani. He drew his own sword, pumping it full of chi, causing the blade to produce a faint red glow effect around the blade and the gem glowed brightly. A member of the honor guard charged him, Sam came out of nowhere excecuting a well aimed flying kick to the face. Raiden swung his sword at an incoming blade, the chi enfused blade turned to lightning cutting through the opposing steel. That left Raiden an opening to get in some slashed. The man's chest opened up, blood spilled out onto the snow. Raiden tried to place a number on the man but he had killed so many he lost count.

Codak came charging at Raiden, a spear made of ice in his hands. Raiden's blade impacted, he was surprised, the spear didn't chip at all, no cracks. Either he was getting weaker, yeah right, or Codak could create a strong weapon. Normally Raiden had no trouble breaking weapons made from bending, his chi powered sword was one of the pinnacles of Fire Nation War enginnering. "What about the corruption in your homeland boy?" The two warriors locked up. "You going to kill your own grandfather? Volcanus wouldn't sit by and let his descendants ruin everything he worked for."

That made Raiden think. Normally he'd easily be able to convince his father to stop Fire Nation expansion and pull troops back. But his father was a pawn, just like he used to be, in a bigger game. Raiden realised he'd have to go up against to members of his family. His sister and his grandfather, who despite age was still a very capable bender. The weight of Volcanus' experience somewhat scared him, the ex-Pheonix King had decades of fighting experince on the Pheonix Prince. "If I have to, I'll end anyone who threatens the world." Raiden broke the lock and the two continued to fight. Raiden dodged whips of water and flying ice and Codak easily bended barriers to block fire and lightning.

"Give it up you can't beat me!" Codak caught Raiden under the chin with an uppercut, followed by a slash to the chest and a hard kick knocking him away and to the ground. His chest was split, his own blood joining the large amount already covering the snow. Opening his eyes his face registered the pain but he tried fighting through it, getting up. His eyes caught sight of something horrible.

[Froggy]

"Next time keep it!"

Leilani caught the blade and unsheathed it just in time, deflecting a blow that had been aimed towards her chest. It seemed as though Codak's men kept coming from the middle of nowhere, and from everywhere. Despite only having twenty-six men on him, the men were very talented and fierce. Leilani currently had two on her at the same time, and they were trying for a one-in-the-front and one-in-the-back thing, but Leilani would not have it.

Any time it got to that point she would raise herself higher on a small platform, forcing them to do the same. Finally she was able to bend the ice and wrap it around one of them, enclosing them in a case of ice that was three feet thick and six feet tall by the end of it. In other words, very difficult to create, and very, very difficult to break.

Then she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder, and her eyes began watering from the pain. Her head was spinning as she looked back and saw blood all over the ground. Her freshly bandaged arm was bleeding again, and she glared at the bender responsible for the wound. "Why would you fight for someone so corrupt?" Leilani asked the bender, her body growing weaker, but her vision changing to shades of blues and greens.

"Why would you fight for a killer?" the bender responded, and Leilani looked at Raiden. "He has changed. He has saved my life more times than I care to count, and he would do it again. I love him and I support his cause," Leilani said, jerking her hands in a few varying angles, causing the bender to fall on the ground, dead. Leilani shivered lightly, before another member of the honor guard stepped in to resume battle.

She looked back at Raiden and her eyes widened in horror, noticing that blood was spilling from his chest and that he was locked in battle with Codak. That was all the distraction her opponent needed to land a kick in her chest, tossing her several feet back. Leilani gasped in pain and she was out of breath, her eyes still watering. She tried to bend her opponent's blood but he was too close, and he sliced diagnally through her chest. Her knees fell to the ice, her body shaking as she gasped for air. That wasn't enough for her opponent, he charged her again and she raised her sword in defense. "R...Ra...RAIDEN!" she shouted, her grip on her sword weak as she was barely able to block the would-be-deadly blow.

She tried to get up but wasn't able to move, her arms, legs, and chest weak. Her opponent came at her again, this time with a thick, sharp ice whip. The whip struck her in the face, creating a small slash in the center of her forehead. She fell to the ground shaking, before her body slipped into unconsciousness.

________________________________________

Daisuke was locked in battle with three of the few remaining members of Codak's soldier's. He had received several blows to the head, and an ice dagger in his upper back. He could see the Fire Prince struggling against Codak, and every time he went to help, one of Codak's soldiers blocked him. After several more minutes of intense battle, he was able to defeat one, and was left with two.

He was sweating, but he wasn't exhausted to the point that if affected his combat. He dodged this and dodged that, and blasted fireballs here and there, melting anymore ice that came his way. Finally he summed up all the energy he was able to and created one large, super-heated blue fireball and aimed it directly at his opponents, which caused them to fall to the ground, crisp.

He looked back at the Prince and his eyes widened in horror, although something caught his attention. The look of horror that mirrored his own, and Daisuke looked where the Prince was looking. He could see the waterbender Leilani engaged in battle, a wound on her shoulder. He saw her get kicked, and fly back. He saw the blow to the chest, and then to the final blow to the head.

He could see the Prince getting up, and made a dash towards Leilani. He slew the bender who attacked her and anyone else in the surrounding area that dared oppose him. "Sam!" he shouted towards the airbender. "I've got Leilani, you get the Prince!" he shouted, picking Leilani up gently as he made towards the airship to get the medic, ignoring the pain in his backside.

[Ushima]

Raiden's eyes widened. His blood turned cold, surprising as he's a firebender. Leilani had fallen. "No." He croaked out.

"What was that boy?" Codak came over to him and kicked him in the side. Raiden fell back to the ground. The High Chief followed Raiden's eyesight. "Oh what have we here?" Codak raised an hand, stopping the other man's attack. "So she means somethng to you?" Raiden rose to his knees. Coadak's spear touched the side of Raiden's neck. "After I kill you I'll kill that traitor!" Pulling the spear back he wound up for his last thrust. The point came closer.

Raiden's eyes opened. They were glowing bright. The spear shattered into pieces before it could pierce Raiden's hearts. The ground started shaking as Raiden slowly lifted off the ground, holding his arms up at his sides slightly. A dozen creatures (http://www.creaturespot.com/storage/thumbnails/3573334-8327407-thumbnail.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=128309598 1395) burst from the ice. They were made of ice and eyes glowing blue. With a silent command they began attacking the remaining enemies. If one damaged one of the beasts it would regenerate the missing pieces. The avatar floated toward Codak. The High Chief back up. "Burn to cinders." Raiden sucked in a breath and exhaled a giant white flame. Codak raised a wall of water in defense but that evaporated. The Pheonix Prince watched Codak burn, this was one man that won't rise from the ashes.

[Froggy]

Daisuke stumbled as the ground started shaking, and he looked back to see the Prince entering the Avatar state. He was growing weaker by the minute as he carried Leilani towards the ship, and he looked down at the girl in his arms. She was covered in blood and pale as ice, and he hoped she would make it. He pushed himself forward, jumping here and there over ice to reach the ship.

When he finally got there, what seemed like hours later but in reality was not that long, he shouted "Get the medic!" Several others came out of the ship, and he could see a little girl standing at one of the windows. "Get her back!" he shouted, knowing that it must be her sister. He didn't want the little girl to see her sister like this, so close to death.

A soldier grabbed the little girl and gently pulled her away from the window, although he could already hear her screams for her sister. Leilani's face twitched, and Daisuke's eyes widened in amazement. "She's still alive!" he shouted, passing her off to the medic and racing after them. "What more can I do to help?" Daisuke asked the medic, and the medic told him to get this or that.

Daisuke, though weak, rushed every second. "Get this man a bed!" the doctor shouted, and Daisuke looked at him in confusion. Looking over his shoulder he noticed that the ice dagger was still in his back. "Oh," he said, his limbs shaking from exhaustion. Finally the soldier fell onto his knees and collapsed from sheer exhaustion, and he was lifted onto a bed next to Leilani's.

[Ushima]

The ice creature let out a roar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTCCxx8cFNw&NR=1) when their killing was done. Sam couldn't believe what she was seeing. Raiden lowered to the ground, hanging there a bit before finally his feet touched the snow. The glowing in his eyes stopped and the creature broke apart, lifeless. He wobbled a bit and Sam caught him. "Easy."

"Leilani?" Was the only thing Raiden said.

"The doctors are patching her up." Sam glanced at his chest. "Speaking of doctors lets get one to patch you up." Raiden just pushed Sam off and grabbed his sword, igniting the blade on fire. "Raiden?" The fore prince took off, more like tore off, his shirt, what was left of it. The fire left the sword, leaving Raiden with a glowing hot blade. "What are you doing?"

"Need to seal up this wound." Raiden absorbed some of the heat from the blade, just enough from the tip so he could touch it. Raiden got on his knees and took several deep breaths before he pressed the blade to his chest. "GAH!" Raiden choked back any other sound of pain. After what seemed like hours to Sam, who was watching her best friend cauterize his wound, Raiden dropped the sword.

"You alright?" Sam helped Raiden stand.

"I'll be fine." The two, Raiden with Sam's help, made their way to the airship. Entering the medbay Raiden's men, who weren't unconscious, started cheering. "You all fought hard! You should be proud! We are one step closer to our goal." Raiden approached one bed. "Daisuke, thank you for getting Leilani out of there." That was all he said before going to stand by Leilani's bed. "Where's Kaimana?"

"Oh the poor thing." Sam stood across from Raiden on the other side of Leilani's bed. "She's locked herself in your office. Even I couldn't get her out. Maybe you should try, he future brother-in-law might have better luck." Raiden was hesitant to leave. "I'll watch her and come get you if she wakes up." Though Sam knew that might not be for a few days.

Raiden said nothing and just walked away. Moving through the ship he came to his office, the steel door closed and undoubtably locked. Raiden lifted a hand and knocked. "Kai? It's me Raiden."

[Froggy]

"Daisuke, thank you for getting Leilani out of there."

Daisuke bowed at the Prince and smiled, nodding his head. He watched the Prince go over to Leilani's bed and frowned, wondering if they would be alright. He wished there was some way he could provide comfort for the two, but he knew only time could heal all wounds.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Kai? It's me Raiden."

Kaimana's head lifted up as she heard Raiden's voice. If Raiden was alright, did that mean Leilani was as well? "Is Leili okay?" Kaimana asked, not moving from the chair by the window. She could see the remnants of the battle bellow and tried to imagine what happened that could have hurt Leilani so bad.

Maybe I shouldn't do that, Kaimana thought to herself as a few ideas popped into her head. Kaimana glared at the door towards Raiden. He was supposed to keep her safe, like dad kept mom safe. Like Leilani kept her safe. He was supposed to keep her safe, and now she didn't know if Leilani was alive or dead.

She came to the door, an angry look on her face as she opened it. "You were supposed to keep her safe, and now she's hurt!" Kaimana shouted, balling her hands into fists and aiming them at his stomach. "You were supposed to keep her safe like dad keeps mom safe, and like Leili keeps me safe!" Kaimana said, crying as she tried to hit Raiden.

[Ushima]

Raiden let the young girl work out her frustrations. Her beating on his leg didn't really hurt afterall. Once the girl seemed to tire out he gave her a hug. "Leilani is fine. She's sleeping right now." Raiden was confused. How was he to explain how a battle works? How things happen to fast? "Leilani would've gotten herself into that battle no matter what. Though I can't be anywhere at once. Plus Leilani doesn't want me to protect her, she wants me to trust that she's capable of defending herself and that's what I did. You can blame me if you want, if it helps you feel better, but I know Leilani won't and that's all that matters to me." Raiden took the girl's hand. "Now let's go see her."

The two walked to the medbay where Sam was still sitting. "Hey I knew you could do it."

"How is she?" Raiden asked, letting go of Kaimana's hand so she can go over to her sister.

"Stable. They brought in a waterbender to heal the wound." Sam looked over Leilani. "Your girl is tough Raiden. Though that scar won't heal."

"That's ok." Raiden looked down at his own chest. "Besides now we match." The scars were strangely identical. "If that's not a sign I don't know what is."

"Only you would take matching scars as a sign that your relationship with Leilani is meant to be." Sam chuckled.

"Any idea how long she'll be out?" Raiden asked.

"Couple days at most." Sam sat in a chair. Raiden stood at the end of the bed looking at Leilani. "This won't change anything. She'll still want to come along, to help you, to be near you. Love is like that." Raiden said nothing, just stared at Leilani. "So when am I going to become an aunt?" Still nothing. "Wow you must be depressed for that to not have worked."

[Froggy]

"Leilani is fine. She's sleeping right now."

Kaimana stopped pounding on Raiden's leg and looked up at him, her eyes watery. "She sleeps too much," Kaimana mumbled, frowning as she hugged Raiden. While she was still upset about Leilani being hurt, she was glad to know that her sister was alright.

"Leilani would've gotten herself into that battle no matter what. Though I can't be anywhere at once. Plus Leilani doesn't want me to protect her, she wants me to trust that she's capable of defending herself and that's what I did. You can blame me if you want, if it helps you feel better, but I know Leilani won't and that's all that matters to me."

Kaimana bit her lip at Raiden's words, and looked down. She couldn't blame Raiden after he explained how things worked. She could blame Leilani for being so stupid in the first place, but not Raiden. "I don't blame you anymore," Kaimana said, holding onto his hand and leaning against him as they went to see her sister.

She went over to Leilani and poked her arm (the one that wasn't all torn up) in frustration, and mumbled a few things here and there like 'idiot' and 'stupid' and things like that. She looked up at Sam as the two spoke about Leilani's scars, and she covered her ears...she didn't want to hear it.

~~~~~~~~

Leilani could hear noises around her, mumbling and talking. 'Be quiet,' she thought to herself, her face turning into a scowl. As soon as her face changed it hurt, and she remembered the ice whip colliding with her forehead. 'Oooow,' she thought to herself, her eyes blinking lightly.

It was blurry at first, and her eyes watered from the pain. She could barely breathe, and her vision was turning to shades of blues and greens again. She could hear people talking, and blinked her eyes once more as the pain registered. She bolted upright in the bed and gasped for air, her arm automatically reaching for her chest.

The pain was incredible, it was as though she had been sliced open...which, she had been. She started coughing, her breath shallow. Looking around the room she saw Kaimana staring at her wide-eyed, Sam sitting in a chair, and Raiden standing at the end of the bed. She tried to say his name but she couldn't form the word in her mouth. Her body was shaking from the cold and pain, but she was still trying to speak. It was really aggravating that her throat was so dry and that she seemed unable to speak, so she settled for mouthing Raiden's name instead. With her hand still clutched to her chest, she slipped back into unconsciousness and fell back on the bed.

[Ushima]

Raiden blinked in surprise as Leilani woke up. "Leilani!" And then she fell back onto the bed.

"What in spirits name just happened?!" Sam yelled.

"Well whatever that was. She's out again." Raiden rubbed his eyes. "Look I need to get the kid home, her parents are probably a nervous wreck right now not knowing where she is."

"Right. I'll keep an eye on her." Sam gestured to Leilani. "If anything changes you'll be the first to know." Raiden nodded and approached Kaimana, taking her hand again. "Lets go Kai." He didn't know why he started calling her that. She grew on him quickly, it wasn't weird he had his own nickname for her. "Lead the way kid, I still don't know my way around here yet."

[Froggy]

"Look I need to get the kid home, her parents are probably a nervous wreck right now not knowing where she is."

Kaimana's eyes began watering again after Leilani woke up and fell back to sleep. "What's wrong with her?" Kaimana asked, holding onto Leilani's hand as Raiden and Sam talked about taking her back home. She didn't want to leave Leilani, if her parents knew she was okay then it should be fine for her to stay.

"Lead the way kid, I still don't know my way around here yet."

"But I don't want to leave Leili," Kaimana protested, tears pouring down her cheeks. "Don't make me go Raiden, please," Kaimana begged her grip tightening on Leili's hand. "Just tell mom and dad I'm okay and that I'm with Leili," she said, looking at Sam as though expecting Sam to back her up. She hung her head low and frowned as she looked at Leili.

"I just got her back and I don't want to lose her again," Kaimana said, hugging Leili and holding onto her. "Please don't make me go," Kaimana said, still holding onto Leilani.

[Ushima]

"Your sister is fine Kaimana." Raiden bent down to her eye level. "But you have to go see your parents. I'm sure they'll want to see you very much after everything that's happened. And Leilani isn't going anywhere."

"Yeah kid." Sam spoke. "Nothing is gonna change soon. And I'm overseeing things here. Anything happens you'll know it."

[Froggy]

"But you have to go see your parents. I'm sure they'll want to see you very much after everything that's happened. And Leilani isn't going anywhere."

Kaimana glared at Raiden, her face growing red from anger. "That's what she said last time. When she got shot in the arm with an arrow and taken by the Raiders. When she came home bleeding in the arm. Now, she can't wake up and is more hurt than I have ever seen her and she needs me, and you're trying to make me go home!" Kaimana shouted, her blue eyes shining.

She stood and balled her fists, glaring at Raiden as though daring him to make her leave. There was a loud roar and Kaimana appeared to be focusing very hard directly in front of her.

"Nothing is gonna change soon. And I'm overseeing things here. Anything happens you'll know it."

"I'm not leaving her and you can't make me!" Kaimana shouted, and the next thing she knew, water started bursting from the faucets. Another loud roar from the airship, and water began bursting through pipes in the walls. Her emotions were so tangled that she started bending the water in the pipes in the airship, and the water wouldn't stop rushing out. Then the ship started shaking, and the water stopped as it turned to ice. The ice shattered into thousands of tiny, sharp pieces and flew directly at Kaimana, stopping as they formed a barrier around her.

She walked back to Leilani and the barrier followed her, before the barrier shaped to fit Leilani as well. Kaimana was upset and angry, and she wasn't going anywhere. She sat down and looked at Leilani, hoping she would wake up.

[Ushima]

Thankfully the waterbenders were able to keep things under control. Raiden lowered his arms, incase ice had came toward him. "The fuck was that!?"

"That brat!" Sam yelled. "She doesn't get it. Leilani won't be up for awhile." Raiden approached the dome of ice. "Raiden?"

The Pheonix Prince was getting annoyed. Raiden's right burst into flames. Pulling back he brought the flaming fist down upon the ice. The impact rang out and the sound of shattering filled everyone's ears. The ice easily broke revealing an aggitated Raiden to Kaimana. It was embarrassing, how Kaimana was acting. Raiden and his siblings never behaved like this, throwing a tantrum. Even if they were about to start misbehaving they got disciplined, harshly. Never again did they think about throwing a tantrum. Raiden cancelled the fire around his fist and stood up to his full height, sending a hard glare at Kaimana. "You're going home, now."

[Froggy]

Kaimana screamed as her ice barrier was broken, shards of ice falling on her and Leilani. The next thing she saw, Raiden was standing over her looking even more angry than she was. This reminded her of the part of Leilani's story where she had accidentally bended the guard's blood, and Kaimana started shaking in fear.

"You're going home, now."

Kaimana was too scared to stand. No one had ever been that angry to her, or scared her like that. She looked back and forth from Raiden and Sam, seeing that they were both angry with her. Could she really be blamed? All she wanted was to help, but nobody ever let her help. Leili needed her and they wouldn't let her be there for Leili, and it was frustrating.

Kaimana stood and hung her head, angry and upset with Raiden. "All I wanted was to help. Nobody ever lets me do anything because I'm too little," Kaimana said, before running out of the room and off the airship, into the cold. Tears were falling down her face as she ran, thinking about how mean Sam and Raiden had been to her.

How nobody would let her help because she was too little. How she wasn't able to help Leilani because she didn't know how. The scary look on Raiden's face when he was angry. It was so frustrating, wanting to help but not knowing how and not being able to. Kaimana ran into her house and slammed the door behind her, tears still falling down her cheeks.

"Raiden's mean!" Kaimana shouted when questioned, and she ran into her room and locked the door.

[Ushima]

"Don't you think you were a little harsh on her?" Sam asked.

"No."

"Yeah I didn't think so either." Sam sighed. "A battlefield is no place for little kids." Sam watched Raiden approach Leilani's bed, brushing some hair out of her face. She smiled, watching her surrogate brother act all lovey dovey with Leilani. She knew Raiden was still a bit scared about this feeling, though he masked it well she could see it. "You look tired."

"I am." Raiden sighed. "The Avatar State takes a lot out of me."

"Maybe you should get some rest?" Sam was surprised when Raiden got into bed with Leilani. Raiden thought that maybe if a familiar pressence was next to her she'd come back faster, knowing that someone here was waiting. It was a theory he hoped would work as he drifted off to sleep. It would be three days later before he woke up.

[Froggy]

Leilani's face twitched as she felt something warm touching her skin. It got hotter, and finally Leilani was forced to open her eyes again. When she woke it was night, and Raiden was laying there next to her. Oh, so that's what was so hot, she thought to herself, trying to move so she could kiss him. But that hurt, so she stayed still.

Her breathing was still rough, and her throat was very sore. Her chest hurt like nothing she had experienced before, as did her arm and face. "S-am," she croaked, her voice catching in the middle of Sam's name. "W...wa...water," Leilani said, her voice shaky.

Her hand started shaking as she lifted it, trying to find Raiden's hand. She looked at him with worry, wondering how long he had been out. How bad his injuries were. She was finally able to lift her hand enough to touch his, and her fingers slowly wrapped around his. "Raiden," she croaked, her face etched with worry.

"Raiden," she called again when he didn't answer. Her body was pinned by its own weight against the bed, and she looked straight up. It hurt so bad she didn't know if she would be able to handle it. "It hurts Sam," Leilani whispered, her voice weak as she tried to regain control over her breathing. "Is he okay?" Leilani finally asked, biting her lip as she remembered the blood spilling from his chest on the battlefield.

[Ushima]

"Here drink this." Sam helped Leilani drink, poor girl was still sore. "Raiden's fine. His wounds have been treated. He cauterized his own injury that crazy bastard." Sam glanced at the large scar on Raiden's bare chest. It went from the top of his right breast diagonally to just under the left one. "And, um, you've got a matching one." Sam pointed to Leilani's chest. "And just so you know, Raiden finds it sexy." Sam knew several women who received scars and freaked, their looks were important to them. Sam didn't know if Leilani was like that, she doubted it but she couldn't really tell. "Raiden's opened his eyes a few times, they've had that glowy Avatar effect to them. I think he's in the spirit world."

~

Raiden groaned. "I feel like I got stepped on by the Lion Turtle (http://images.wikia.com/avatar/images/7/73/Aang_with_Lion_Turtle.png)?" Raiden pushed himself up. "Oh crap now where the fuck am I?"

"Do princes normally use such language?" A voice asked. Raiden looked around, not finding anyone to claim the voice as their own. He reached for his sword, finding it not there.

"I'm not like normal princes. Now show yourself." Raiden looked feverishly for the owner of the specter voice. Voices don't just come from nowhere.

"Quite the impatient one. But I will do as you wish." A robed figure appeared in a blinding light. "Hello Raiden."

"How do you know my name?" Raiden was nervous. How did this man know who he was?

"I know all firebenders. I am the one they pray to for strength." The man answered.

"Agni (http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs14/f/2007/098/1/7/Fire_mage_by_devrimkunter.jpg)!" Raiden dropped to his knees and bowed. "Ask anything of me my lord and I will do it without question."

"Rise Avatar." Agni ordered. "I just have to show you something." Agni waved his hand, a swirling portal appeared. "Look." Raiden peered into the portal. He saw his sister, Azula, she was sitting on the throne laughing maniacally. Worldcarver propped against the large chainr. The view shifted, showing the world in absolute desolation. "See?"

"How?" Raiden asked, astonished.

"This is what would happen if you were to fail. Azula would use the power of Worldcarver and tear the world apart." The protal closed. "She will bring about an age of darkness. Raiden, can you kill your sister?"

Raiden's face turned into a hard glare. "Yes."

~

Raiden shot up in bed. His body was sweating and he was breathing hard. He didn't know how long he'd been out. He was shaking a little, still getting over the fact that he had been in the spirit world. Called their by Agni himself. The things he saw, scared him. Could his sister really do all that?

[Froggy]

"Here drink this."

Leilani gulped the drink down quickly, her thirst temporarily quenched. "Thanks," Leilani said, her voice just above a whisper. She looked over at Raiden with worry as Sam said that he'd cauterized his own wound. She winced lightly at the thought, and brought her hand to rest on his shoulder. She forced herself to sit up, looking at the scar on his chest and down at the scar on her own.

"And, um, you've got a matching one. And just so you know, Raiden finds it sexy."

Leilani couldn't help but chuckle at Sam's words. She looked around the room, finding that someone was missing. "Where's Kaimana?" she asked, worried about her sister. Normally Kaimana would be right there by her side, poking her arm and asking her questions and telling her she was stupid, but the little girl was nowhere to be found.

"Raiden's opened his eyes a few times, they've had that glowy Avatar effect to them. I think he's in the spirit world."

Leilani shivered lightly at the thought of being in the spirit world. Her grip tightened just enough to make her feel secure that he was there with her, and that he wasn't going anywhere. Then Raiden shot out of bed and scared the living daylights out of her.

"Raiden!" she croaked, noticing that he was sweating. She didn't care, she threw her arms around him and pulled him into a tight embrace, ignoring the pain it brought her arm and chest. She kissed his neck and leaned her head into his neck, tears falling silently down her cheeks. "I was so worried!" Leilani sobbed, still holding him in a death-grip as she ignored the pain.

[Ushima]

"Leilani." Raiden returned the hug. "You were worried about me? I was a nervous wreck the entire time you were unconscious." The Fire Prince kissed the girl in his arms. "But you're alright now. That's what matters."

"Your sister was also very worried. But," Sam glanced at Raiden. "We made her go home. Your parents were no doubted worried about not only you, but her. It was best to give them atleast one of their daughters so they could sleep easy."

"Now we can return the other." Memories of the trip to the spirit world flashed through his memories. He didn't know how long he was unconscious here but he was only in the spirit world for a few minutes. "Sam. Tell the men we're leaving in two days."

"Got it." Sam rushed off and Raiden leaned back, pulling Leilani back with him. He let out a sigh of comfort.

[Froggy]

"You were worried about me? I was a nervous wreck the entire time you were unconscious."

Leilani smiled lightly at Raiden. "I saw all that blood coming from your chest and it scared me," Leilani said, looking down and frowning. It had been in that moment of distraction that she had received her wound, and hadn't been able to help Raiden because of it. "After I was hurt I was so worried about you, because I knew I couldn't help you. It seemed like we were loosing, and now we're both here," Leilani said, holding onto Raiden tightly.

"But you're alright now. That's what matters."

"Well, mostly," Leilani said, her face temporarily registering the pain again. She leaned her head against Raiden's chest...it hurt so much, and she didn't want him to see the pain on her face. "It feels like I got sliced open," Leilani said, heaving out a big sigh. She had to keep reminding herself 'that's because I did,' and she would occasionally shiver.

"Your sister was also very worried. But, We made her go home. Your parents were no doubted worried about not only you, but her. It was best to give them atleast one of their daughters so they could sleep easy."

Leilani bit her lip. "I bet that didn't go well," Leilani said, raising an eyebrow suspiciously. "I know she threw a tantrum. What did you do?" she asked him questioningly, tossing Sam a look as well. She knew Kaimana had to be worried sick, especially with her having been out so long...how long had she been out?

"Now we can return the other."

"Return?" Leilani asked, sitting back up in bed and looking at Raiden suspiciously. "I'm staying with you. I'll go home so they know I'm safe, but I'm staying with you," Leilani said, glaring at Raiden. She knew she had to see Kaimana and made to get up, but her chest strained when she put her feet down. She moaned and pushed herself up, gripping the side of the bed to keep her balance. She bit her lip to supress any sounds of pain, and glanced at Raiden. "Well. I'm up," Leilani said, forcing a smile as her upper body shook from the strain.

"Sam. Tell the men we're leaving in two days."

"By we you better mean all of us," Leilani said weakly, tossing him a glare. She walked shakily over to his side and found his hand again, wrapping her fingers around his hand. "We should probably go see Kaimana," Leilani said, bending down slowly to kiss him. "She's probably a worried wreck about the both of us," Leilani said, a look of guilt crossing her face as she thought about what Kaimana must be going through.

"Besides, I owe her so much. I've put her through hell these past two weeks," Leilani said, a small tear falling down her cheek. She knew she had to do some serious kissing up to Kaimana to repair their relationship.

[Ushima]

"By we you better mean all of us,"

"Yes my love." Raiden tilted her chin up. "I mean us." He kissed her, a soft, tender kiss. "We'll be heading for the Earth Kingdom."

"Besides, I owe her so much. I've put her through hell these past two weeks."

"I myself should apologize." Raiden got out of the bed. "Sorta scared her off. Whoops." Sam chuckled.

"Don't worry I got things here." Sam started walking away. "Carry your girlfriend Raiden. I don't think she can walk, let alone stand."

"So Leilani." Raiden smirked. "Want a ride home?"

[Froggy]

"Yes my love."

Leilani sighed in relief as he said they were both going. She leaned into his soft kiss, a feeling of happiness spreading through her. She didn't want to separate from him for a long, long time. Not again.

"We'll be heading for the Earth Kingdom."

Leilani's nerves twisted into knots. Was he ready for another battle? How would this play out? Would they try to negotiate or was there no hope for such things? She wanted to ask him all of these questions, but instead she stayed quiet. She didn't want to ruin the moment, and she could always ask him later.

"I myself should apologize. Sorta scared her off. Whoops."

Leilani looked at him skeptically. "What. Did. You. Do?" she asked, crossing her arms. Raiden + scare were never two words that should be combined in the same sentence, especially not to an eleven year old. "You and scare should never be in the same sentence around an eleven year old," Leilani said, her tone slightly defensive.

"Carry your girlfriend Raiden. I don't think she can walk, let alone stand."

Leilani looked offended. "Hey I got out of bed didn't I?!" she asked Sam as the airbender walked away. Leilani scowled at the smirk on Raiden's face, and wanted to hit him but that would only hurt more.

"Want a ride home?"

Leilani hmpfed and attempted to stand again. The pain in her chest doubled, and she looked at him spitefully. "You're just a show off. We get the same battle wounds and yet here you are offering to carry me, like you're stronger. If you can walk, I can walk," Leilani said, huffing at Raiden. How in earth's name was he able to recover so quickly, when she herself was struggling to stand? She looked at him spitefully again before stumbling out of the room, using the walls for support.

[Ushima]

"You're just a show off. We get the same battle wounds and yet here you are offering to carry me, like you're stronger."

"Um, I kinda am." It's true Raiden was stronger, he was stronger than a lot of people. "But that's not the point. Point is you need help."

"If you can walk, I can walk."

Raiden watched Leilani stagger and stumble. She used the wall for support. When she did fall Raiden reached out and caught her. "Leilani stop, this is stupid. There's nothing wrong with asking for help. Even I need help sometimes. And don't you think for a second that I won't ask for it cause I will." Raiden stood Leilani up straight. "Now please let me help you, be there for you. Like a normal couple, just like you're here for me let me be here for you."

[Froggy]

"Um, I kinda am. But that's not the point. Point is you need help."

Leilani huffed at him. How was it that he was able to walk straight, or even offer to carry her all the way to the village, when she was stumbling around like an idiot holding onto the walls? She just didn't get it, and that irritated her more than anything.

"Leilani stop, this is stupid. There's nothing wrong with asking for help. Even I need help sometimes. And don't you think for a second that I won't ask for it cause I will. Now please let me help you, be there for you. Like a normal couple, just like you're here for me let me be here for you."

Leilani stopped and crossed her arms, scowling at him. "How is it that we receive the same injuries, yet here you are walking perfectly and I'm barely able to stand?" Leilani questionned him, glaring at him. She wasn't necessarily mad at Raiden himself, just her inability to walk when he seemed perfectly fine.

"I mean, you seem perfectly fine as though we didn't get sliced open. Me on the other hand," Leilani stumbled a few paces as an example. Leilani bit her lip to supress a gasp of pain, and she looked away as her eyes started to water from the pain. "I can do this. Walking is simple. I just have to-" Leilani stepped forward, and her upper body shivered in the pain. She stumbled forward and fell on the floor, looking like a rabit pinned under a lion's paw.

"How do you do it?" she asked, her voice tight as tears began forming in her eyes, and slowly leaked down her cheeks.

[Ushima]

"How do you do it?"

Raiden was kneeling by her side and holding her. With his thumb he wiped her tears. "Being a warrior prince you get injured a lot so I'm used to it. I used to be like this, stuck in bed, can't move, in pain every time I do try to move." It was true, Raiden was often hurt when he was younger, training to hard, getting into fights and the academy. "But I was smart to ask for help. Cause if I did something I could've hurt myself even worse."

Raiden kissed her forhead. "This is what I meant when you should swallow your pride. Your in pain cause you want to prove that you're strong enough to move even though you were gravely wounded only three days ago." To him that was stupid, a wound like that she should still be in bed but Raiden allowed her to leave, though he was hoping to carry her. "Come on princess. Let me help you."

[Froggy]

"Being a warrior prince you get injured a lot so I'm used to it. I used to be like this, stuck in bed, can't move, in pain every time I do try to move."

Leilani frowned...that pretty much summed up how she felt right then. She doubted she would be able to stand up on her own at this point, and when she tried, she fell back on the ground, gasping in pain. Leilani cursed loudly, leaning her head against the wall as she tried to regain control over her breathing as it was starting to become irregular again.

"This is what I meant when you should swallow your pride. Your in pain cause you want to prove that you're strong enough to move even though you were gravely wounded only three days ago."

Leilani frowned, more tears alling from her eyes. She felt so helpless, she didn't think she could stand it. She didn't know what was worse- the pain or the feeling of complete helplessness. "I should be able to move though," Leilani said, trying to get up again but failing for a second time. She sighed in defeat and leaned her head against the wall.

"Come on princess. Let me help you."

Leilani nodded her head, holding on to him for support. "Dad is going to kill me. Kaimana and mom will probably start crying," Leilani said, shaking her head as a look of guilt swept over her face. "Let's get this over with," she said, wrapping her arms around him to signal that she was ready.

She looked at him and smirked. "Just tell Sam I got it this far okay?" she said, proud that she had at least made it around two corners before needing help.

[Ushima]

"Just tell Sam I got it this far okay?"

"Yeah I'll tell her. You made it to the door." Raiden lifted her up bridal style. "See?" There they were standing a few feet from the ramp. "You made it all the way across the ship." The couple descended the ramp. "Hey Leilani, you did a great job in that battle. You just got distracted, it happens, its normal. Leilani you are a great fighter, you should be proud of what you accomplished. Don't take this as a sign of weakness, take this as a step forward to betterment. With my training you'll be kicking ass everyone is gonna beg you to train them."

Raiden entered the village. He received harsh glares, obviously knews of Codak's excecution had reached their ears. He really didn't have time to explain his actions but he'd hope to soon. "Hey we're here." They entered the tent. "Hey guess who I brought to visit!" Kaimana and the rest of Leilani's family came rushing to them.

[Froggy]

"Hey Leilani, you did a great job in that battle. You just got distracted, it happens, its normal. Leilani you are a great fighter, you should be proud of what you accomplished. Don't take this as a sign of weakness, take this as a step forward to betterment. With my training you'll be kicking ass everyone is gonna beg you to train them."

Leilani smiled as she saw she'd made it all the way to the door. Then he mentioned training again and she looked like she wanted to anything but that. "Ugh. Training. Not tomorrow," Leilani begged, curling up into a ball in his arms. The idea of kicking ass made her smirk though, and it did make her feel a little better.

"Hey guess who I brought to visit!"

Leilani tried to ignore the glares they recieved from her fellow villagers. It was awkward, apparently nobody had thought to tell them why Codak had been executed. Kaimana and her parents came rushing into the room, and her mother gasped in shock when she saw her. Kaimana approached cautiously, ignoring Raiden but occasionally tossing him a skeptical look. "YOU JERK!" Kaimana shouted, landing a good punch in her arm.

"Ow!" Leilani shouted, falling out of Raiden's arms. "Kaimana!" her mother shouted, grabbing Kaimana by the hand before she could hit Leilani again. "What has gotten into you?!" her mother asked Kaimana, and Leilani tried to sit up. "She keeps leaving us! Every time I think she's back, something happens and she gets hurt or taken from me!" Kaimana shouted, struggling against her mother.

She tossed Raiden a harsh glare. "He wouldn't even let me help!" Kaimana shouted, running to her room crying. Leilani sulked and looked ashamed. Her mother came and gave her a gentle but comforting hug. "She's just upset," her mother said, glancing nervously at Raiden. It was clear she was confused as to what had transpired between Raiden and Kaimana, but whatever it was it had upset Kaimana.

"I know," Leilani said, sighing as she gripped the wall and forced herself up, her face twisting in pain. "Raiden, I think you should sit with my parents while I go talk to Kaimana. I'll bring her out when we're done," Leilani said, looking up at Raiden. She knew her parents would have questions that needed to be answered, and that Raiden should be the one to answer them. Just as she had to make it up to Kaimana and help her feel better.

[Ushima]

"That probably would be best." Raiden steedied Leilani before allowing her to wobble off and confront her sister. "So?" Raiden clapped his hands together. "Shall we sit down?" Raiden and Leilani's parents found themselves at the table. "So how's it been?"

"Kaimana came back three days ago in tears." Rohan started. "Mind explaining that?"

"Oh no problem." Raiden took a much needed drink. "Well I was going to bring her home but she insisted on staying. I told her you'd want to see her, to see if she was alright."

"You could've told us." Leilani's mother interupted.

"Oh please we all know that wouldn't have settled your nerves one bit. Trust me I know how parents are, mine worry about me all the time. They get news that I'm alright but when I do return home I can't but notice they still worry." Raiden didn't want to mention that he was on the other side of the world when that news was recieved and anything could've happened to him in that time period. "And after reassuring her she'd be told when her sister woke up she still insisted. I mean I don't know what help she could've been. 'Yeah Kai just sit there and do nothing that helps.' It'd be different if she was awake. So I sorta scared her into leaving, though due to certain circumstances you couldn't really blame me." Raiden didn't want to mention the bending incident.

"And how did my daughter get injured in the first place?" Rohan asked sending Raiden a harsh look, who either didn't notice or ignored.

"The battle with Codak and his forces. Leilani participated. I knew that if I told her to stay out of it she'd have just found a way to get involved." Raiden sighed. "She knew the risks, yet she still stepped up. Tough girl you got."

"And why were you fighting Codak?" Rohan's voice was a little louder and deeper. "I don't like the fact that one of our leaders was murdered."

"Excecuted." Raiden corrected. "There is a difference. Murder would suggest I killed him in cold blood. Excecution on the other hand, means he was just punished for commiting a terrible atrocity."

"And what might that be?" Rohan obviously didn't believe Raiden.

"Murdering innocent people." Raiden took another drink. "I keep tabs on every nation's millitary. I tacked Codak's troop movements then sent my teams to investigate. What they found was very surprising."

"And what right do you have to just come and kill him?!" Rohan yelled.

"The fact that my eyes can glow, I myself glow and I can float in the air." Leilani's parents seemed shocked. Eyes glowing, body glowing, levitating, all trademark behavior of the Avatar. Their jaws dropped. "Yep that's me." Raiden raised his glass. "Cheers!"

[Froggy]

Leilani stumbled towards her sister's room and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. No answer. Leilani knocked again, a look of sadness on her face. "Kai it's me. Please come to the door," Leilani said desperately. She could hear footsteps as they stopped at the door. Leilani rolled her eyes and grabbed the doorknob, finding it locked. "Kaimana, please let me in. You want me, you got me," Leilani said, biting her lip in anticipation.

The door opened to reveal a very upset Kaimana. Leilani fell to her knees and hugged the little girl, her body shaking. "I'm sorry Kai, I know you don't trust me now and I know that's my fault, but I love you very, very much," Leilani said, tears rolling down her cheek. She could hear her father's voice raising in the living room and shivered. "Looks like I'm not the only one that's in trouble," Leilani said, smirking lightly as she held onto Kaimana's hand.

"C'mon Kai, let's go in and I'll explain how this works," Leilani said, forcing herself up and closing the door behind them. Kaimana started asking her questions like what happened, why they had to fight Codak, why Raiden had been so mean, why Sam didn't back her up, why nobody let her help, and what Leilani was going to do next.

Leilani answered all of these the best she could, in order. She frowned at the last question, knowing that the answer would probably upset Kaimana. So she decided to put it into a story to make it better. "Ready for a story?" she asked Kaimana, sitting the two down on a bed. Kaimana nodded and leaned against Leilani, a sign that she was opening up again.

Leilani told her first about the good former Avatars have done, and what the responsibilities of every Avatar was. She then said that included Raiden as well, and to a certain degree her too. She explained that being the significant other of the Avatar (and Fire Prince) meant that she would stand by him no matter what, even if it meant putting herself in danger. She explained that just as it was his job to protect others, it was her job to help keep him safe. She explained a little about the things that were going on, how there were some disagreements in the nations that needed to be settled, and that she had to go with Raiden to help him settle them.

Kaimana seemed satisfied by the end of it, and the sun was rising by the time she was finished. "I'm sorry I hit you," Kaimana told Leilani, kissing her in the arm and hugging her gently. "You just sleep too much," Kaimana said, and Leilani giggled lightly. "I know, but when your'e hurt you need the rest and you can't really help it," Leilani told Kaimana, and Kaimana seemed to understand. Leilani gave Kaimana as big of a hug as she was able to, before standing up shakily.

"C'mon, let's go see Raiden," Leilani said, holding Kaimana by the hand. Kaimana wouldn't budge. "Raiden's scary," Kaimana said, and Leilani glared at the door. "RAIDEN!" she shouted, putting a hand on her hip in anger as she waited. "Get your Avatar butt in here now!" she called after him, holding Kaimana. She tried to pull Kaimana forward but the girl still wouldn't budge. She was terrified. "Don't call him," Kaimana said, pulling against Leilani. "Tell me another story," she said, trying to distract her from calling after Raiden. She didn't want to see that angry look on his face again. "Don't worry, he's in trouble. He won't upset you," Leilani told her sister, keeping a tight grip on her so she couldn't run. "Raiden! Now!" she shouted, stomping her foot weakly in frustration.

[Ushima]

"We're leaving in a couple days. That should give Leilani enough time to recover to the point she can move without needing to lean against walls." Raiden explained to Leilani's parents.

"I know Leilani wants to fight along side you but can you please keep an eye on her?" Leilani's mother asked.

"I'll do what I can." Raiden promised.

"Raiden! Now!"

Raien thought he heard his name called before, now he was sure. "Excuse me." Raiden got up from the table. The Prince made his way to Leilani and Kaimana. "You called love?"

[Froggy]

"You called love?"

Leilani crossed her arms as Raiden walked in the room. Kaimana was hiding behind her, hugging her legs. Leilani stepped aside and pointed to the scared little girl, an angry look on her face. "Explain. Now," Leilani said, glaring at Raiden. Kaimana just stood there, hardly able to move.

Kaimana was scared. The last time she saw Raiden, he had been so mean and his fist had fire on it. He had broken her ice barrier (that she had yet been able to reproduce), and the look on his face had been terrifying. She didn't know if Raiden was still mad at her, or what he would do with Leilani yelling at him about it.

She felt rather uncomfortable out in the open under his gaze, so she ran back behind Leilani and gripped her tightly so she couldn't move. "What did you do to her?" Leilani asked Raiden, a suspicious look on her face. "I mean I know she must've thrown a tantrum, but was it really necessary to scare her this much?" Leilani asked, holding Kaimana's hand.

[Ushima]

Radien looked between Leilani and Kaimana. Then he became aggitated himself. Raiden crossed his arms and glared at the little girl. "So you didn't tell your sister your little tantrum practically destroyed my ship's plumbing network. If it wasn't for the waterbenders in the medbay half the ship would've been flooded, then frozen due to the cold climate of this place." Raiden, who had been looking at Kaimana the entire time, looke to Leilani now. "Princess, your sisters a waterbender. All I did was punch through a solid dome of ice with a flaming fist and told her she was going home to stay with your worried-to-death parents." Raiden wouldn't apologize, he wasn't wrong in sending Kaimana home.

[Froggy]

"So you didn't tell your sister your little tantrum practically destroyed my ship's plumbing network. If it wasn't for the waterbenders in the medbay half the ship would've been flooded, then frozen due to the cold climate of this place."

Kaimana hung her head. She hadn't meant to do it. "I didn't mean to do it," Kaimana said, hanging her head low, ashamed. Leilani looked back and forth between Raiden and Kaimana, a look of shock on her face. What was he talking about? Kaimana had never bended water in her life.

"Princess, your sisters a waterbender. All I did was punch through a solid dome of ice with a flaming fist and told her she was going home to stay with your worried-to-death parents."

Leilani looked at Kaimana in shock for a moment. The little girl was terrified of Raiden, but she also looked ashamed. "You didn't tell me that Kaimana," Leilani said, her voice soft as she got down to eye level. She pulled Kaimana into a hug to make her feel more comfortable, looking up apologetically at Raiden. She then looked at Kaimana, raising an eyebrow at the little girl.

"Kai. Raiden cares about me, and I think to a certain degree you as well now," she said, looking up at him for confirmation. "If Raiden tells you something, he usually has a reason behind it. You can't go throwing tantrums whenever you don't get what you want," Leilani said, and Kaimana hung her head down in shame. "I just wanted to help," the little girl said, looking at the floor. Leilani sighed and raised an eyebrow at Raiden. "I know Kaimana, but it's really hard to help someone who just needs to rest. Next time Raiden tells you something, remember that there's a reason behind it and to mind him. Now apologize to Raiden," Leilani said, scooting Kaimana forward and spanking her butt lightly.

Kaimana scooted forward, rubbing her toosh after Leilani spanked it. She looked up at Raiden, her eyes slightly watery. "Sorry for throwing a tantrum," Kaimana said, hanging her head low again as a thought popped into her head. "And for breaking your airship," Kaimana added, hugging Raiden's legs as she wasn't tall enough to actually hug him.

[Ushima]

Raiden touched his hand to Kaimana's head and ruffled her hairs. "Meh, it's alright kid. No harm done. Plus my engineers have already fixed it." It was true, they just needed to replace a few broken pipes. The entire proccess took about two hours. "You got some power there though Kai. When you grow up you're gonna be a great bender." Raiden looked to Leilani and winked. "Especially with big sister teaching you. She is after all the best." He flashed his girlfriend a bright, loving smile.

~

"Captain. Report." Sam approached Zen.

"Well estimated travel time to our destination in the Earth Kingdom is about five days. That doesn't take into account if Raiden decideds to stop and let the crew rest." Zen knew Raiden would undoubtedly stop and give the crew a day of rest. He was good to his men which is why they respected him so much. "Other than that we're completely stocked and ready."

"Good, we leave in two days. Raiden wants to give the men a chance to recover from their wounds." Sam looked over the inventory list, double checking. "Get some rest Captain."

"Yes Ma'am." Zen saluted.

[Froggy]

"Meh, it's alright kid. No harm done. Plus my engineers have already fixed it."

Kaimana smiled at Raiden as he ruffled her hair. She was glad that Raiden had forgiven her, and he seemed less scary now that he was back to normal and not being mad at her.

"You got some power there though Kai. When you grow up you're gonna be a great bender. Especially with big sister teaching you. She is after all the best."

Kaimana giggled as Leilani blushed and looked away. "I wouldn't say the best," Leilani said, knowing that Raiden was just buttering her up. She looked up and saw Raiden smiling, and couldn't help but smile back at him. She wanted to kiss him, but not in front of Kaimana...she would surely tease them then.

"Leilani!" her parents called, sounding impatient. Leilani flinched as her father called her name. "Now I'm in trouble," Leilani said, frowning. She walked over to Raiden and hugged him as tightly as she could, and poked Kaimana in the shoulder. "Ow," Kaimana complained, and Leilani chuckled. "Leilani!" This time it was her mother. Leilani glanced nervously at Raiden. "I'll be back...if they don't kill me," she mumbled, looking towards the door again.

"Coming!" Leilani shouted, using the wall for support as she made her way towards the living room, her upper body still straining. By the time she reached the living room, she fell onto the couch and started breathing heavily again. Her parents looked at her with mixed looks of anger and worry. "I'm sorry," Leilani said, glancing down. Her parents sat down next to her, and her mother wrapped an arm gently around her in comfort. She waited for her father to do his worst.

[Ushima]

"Come on squirt." Raiden lifted his leg, with Kaimana still attached, and took a step. The little girl giggled as Raiden walked. She refused to let go of his leg but he was ok with that.

"Don't call me squirt!" She giggled.

"Alright then shrimp." Raiden countered.

"Hey!"

"I got a lot more I can use kid. I got five younger siblings." He continued to tease Kaimana as the two followed after Leilani. They saw Leilani get wrapped up in a hug by her mother. Rohan also looked aggitate as he looked at his daughter. "Take it easy on her Rohan."

[Froggy]

"Take it easy on her Rohan."

Rohan tossed Raiden another hard glare. He may be the Fire Prince and Avatar and significant other of his daughter, but he had no right to tell him how to discipline his child. "I believe I specifically requested Leilani's presence, not yours and Kaimana's," Rohan said, raising an eyebrow at Kaimana. "Kaimana, go to your room. We'll call for you in a few minutes," Rohan told his daughter, and watched as she let go of Raiden's leg and ran to her room.

"There are things that we must discuss as a family Raiden," Rohan said, looking back at the Prince. "You have explained your actions to our family, but the rest of the village needs an explanation as well. Perhaps that is one thing you should do while we speak with Leilani," Rohan said, making it very clear that he did not want Raiden around while they were talking.

Leilani leaned her head against the couch, fighting back a blush. She had a feeling as to where this was going, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to talk to her parents about it yet or not. Especially not in front of Raiden. She looked at Raiden and nodded her head, looking at him pleadingly as though asking him to go. "I'll come get you after," Leilani said, or mumbled.

[Ushima]

"Alright princess." Raiden nodded. "See you in a bit." The Fire Prince left the hut. His footfalls crunched the snow beneath his feet as he walked. It was still bright out, somewhere around noon Raiden guessed.

"Your highness." A voice behind him spoke. Raiden soun around, coming face-to-face with an old man, he was flanked by two Watertribe warriors. "The council would like a word with you."

"Sure." Raiden didn't know if it was a trap, he didn't think it was. Either way he was confident in his abilities that he could fight his way out of whatever. Following the man and his escort they came to a large tent. The frame of the tent was made of large bones, he could only imagine what animal they came from, and the cover was dark blue with black tribal markings covering it. They entered the tent and Raiden found the other council members.

"Take a seat." Raiden did so. "We'll get right to the point. Would you kindly explain why you murdered our leader?"

Raiden sighed. "How many times am I gonna have to explain this?" Raiden went over everything, about Codak's plans, he named each village he's targeted, each ship he's destroyed. When he was finished the council sat shocked. "Now you can elect a leader who won't bring the wrath of the Avatar down on your nation."

"What can we do to say thanks?" One of the council member asked.

"I want to recruit some Waterbenders for my mission. The more resources I have to use the better I can plan." Raiden explained. "Mind suggesting some?"

[Froggy]

Leilani bit her lip nervously as Raiden left the hut, hoping he would be okay. "Leilani, what were you thinking?" her father asked as soon as he left the hut. "About what exactly?" Leilani asked, knowing that there was plenty he could have been talking about. "About joining the battle against Codak, and upsetting your sister like that," Rohan said, clarifying his question.

Leilani sighed and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Well, dad. I can't just sit there and do nothing while Raiden is in a life or death battle, I had to help him," Leilani said, looking at him seriously. "I was able to clear about six enemies out of the way for him before he became wounded, and it was in that moment of distraction that I got wounded. It wasn't his fault and it wasn't my fault," Leilani explained, shrugging lightly.

"I didn't mean to upset Kaimana. I couldn't really help my original delay home, you try fighting an airbender," Leilani said defensively, thinking back to her first meeting with Sam. "I did what I was told and burned the intelligence, and at that point it was originally a military matter. Besides, he only kept me there for a day and I was able to figure out that the Fire Nation was involved in this war for expansion, and I was able to help Raiden realize he had other options," Leilani said, looking away now.

"And the raiders? Why did you join that fight?" her father asked, looking at his daughter skeptically. "Because I didn't want to see my family get hurt, so I helped the council members fight them as much as I could," Leilani said, still not looking up. "I was actually doing pretty good in that one until I got cornered," Leilani said, shaking her head now. "And when you came home earlier yesterday with your arm all bloody?" Rohan asked his daughter, his voice getting louder.

"Aaron got jealous of Raiden," Leilani said, looking down at her arm. "Speaking of which I still haven't seen him. He's got it in his mind that if he can't have me, nobody can...and I'm afraid that might include my family as well. So keep Kaimana safe and stay ready," she said, looking up seriously at her father. Rohan finally sat down, satisfied with his daughter's answers.

Then he asked the question that she had been waiting on. "And how strong is your love for Raiden?" he asked Leilani, holding her mother's hand. Leilani blushed and smiled as she looked out the door. "It almost hurts to be away from him," Leilani said, a soft look on her face as she thought about it. "I have seen both sides of him, and he has changed more than any person I know, and I respect, admire, and love him for that," she said, still smiling. "He has saved my life more times than I care to count, and I hope to one day repay the favor. He's shown a side of him that I never thought possible before...he's funny, charming, protective, trustworthy, and loving," Leilani said, wrapping her hands around her arms.

Rohan smiled at his daughter. "And what do you intend to do about it?" Rohan asked the more serious question. Leilani blushed a deep shade of red. "I don't know. Meet his family?" she asked, raising an eyebrow lightly as her mother began to chuckle. "You in the Fire nation, that should be interesting," Leilani's mother said, and her father had to chuckle as well, which caused Leilani to blush more. "Let us know how that meeting goes, and we'll discuss it further," Rohan said, standing up and stretching.

"Go check on Raiden, tell him that we're about to start dinner," her father said, and her mother stood up to get Kaimana. Leilani nodded her head and left, using the walls for support again. She had a hard time walking once she was out in the snow, and had to bend weak walls of ice to keep her stable. She looked around and saw no sign of Raiden, and wondered where he could have gone to. She heard footsteps behind her and turned around, thinking they might belong to Raiden, but was instead surprised when Aaron's fist collided with her head, knocking her out cold.

[Ushima]

"There that should do it." Raiden finished signing the new treaty with the Southern Water Tribe. "Once you re-establish leadership in the North then we'll rework the dealings, but until then thank you."

"No thank you lord Raiden." The council bowed. "We look forward to the benifits of our new alliance."

Raiden returned the bow. "Send word to the warriors that we'll be leaving in a few days. I look forward to working with them." Exiting the tent Raiden made his way back to Leilani's hut. He was surprised he actually remembered the way. Going inside he greeted the family. "Where's Leilani?" He asked, not seeing his love anywhere in the hut. And he was sure he'd have noticed her as he walked through the village.

[Froggy]

Rohan frowned as Raiden entered the hut. Dinner was just about finished, and he looked by Raiden's side for his daughter. When Raiden asked where she was, Rohan looked at him skeptically. "What do you mean where's Leilani?" Rohan asked, knowing full well that Leilani had sent out in search of him before they had started dinner. "She went looking for you before we started dinner, to tell you to get ready for dinner," Rohan said, a nervous look appearing on his face. Kaimana was in her room waiting on dinner, and Rohan was inclined to keep her there if something was happening.

"Go watch Kaimana and make sure she doesn't get wind of this," he told his wife, holding her hands. Kike looked worried and upset, but she forced herself to mask the emotions as she went to see her daughter. Rohan went to the door and scanned the village, stunned when his daughter was nowhere to be found. He could see feint tracks in the ice from where she had left earlier, and motioned for Raiden to come see. "Those must be her tracks," he told Raiden, grabbing his sword.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Leilani woke, her head was throbbing and there was a sharp pain in her arm. She looked down, her vision blurry, and saw that her arms were tied behind her back, and her feet were tied together. "Aaron?" she asked weakly, blinking as she began to regain some of her vision. She couldn't see anything except for steel and bars, and the cot she was laying on. The room itself was solid steel, and very cold. A sheet of ice was covering the bars to prevent escape.

"Aaron?" she asked louder, biting her lip nervously. "Aaron where am I?" she asked the waterbender, and a figure approached the cell. "You're being taken to the Earth Nation to be punished for your trechery," Aaron said, coming into full view. "Trechery?" Leilani asked, her voice weak. Her wrists and ankles hurt from the rope. "I have committed no trechery," Leilani said, trying to sit up but she was too restricted and it hurt her chest.

"You conspired with the Fire Prince to kill our leader, the designer of the treaty between our nations. You have fraternized with the enemy and if you are not stopped, will cause the war to heighten between our nation and the Earth Kingdom. Once found guilty, the Earth King will decide upon the punishment," Aaron said, his voice a monotone, devoid of any emotion. He looked at her with hatred, and Leilani shivered.

"Codak was corrupt Aaron, not me. He sent his troops to destroy innocent Earth Villages by taking their supplies," Leilani said, trying to sit up again. "For goodness sakes Aaron this is ridiculous, do you have to keep me tied up? I know why you're doing this and it isn't making things any better!" Leilani shouted, glaring at Aaron. If that was one thing she hated most was being tied up.

"I am not here to judge your guilt or innocence, that will be left to the Earth Nation. I have to tell the truth, and I will not listen to your lies any longer," Aaron said, before walking away and turning off the light, leaving her in blackness. She heard a loud door closing some distance off, and the sound of a lock clicking. She was completely alone on what she could only assume to be the ships Codak arrived in, surrounded by blackness. She felt sorry for Kaimana, knowing that the little girl would be so upset when she learned she was missing again. She wondered how Raiden would react, and if he would be able to figure out what had happened, or if she was doomed to Aaron's revenge.

[Ushima]

Raiden followed Rohan outside, drawing his sword in the process. The fire prince followed the tracks for a bit. "They stop here, she fell to the ground." Raiden pointed out. "But here's a different set of tracks. She must have been picked and carried. This way." The two men followed the tracks out of the village and to the water. "Where's Codak's ship?"

"Whoever took Leilani must've took it." Rohan said. "Now what do we do?"

"I save Leilani's butt....again." Raiden sighed. His hands burst into a green flame. Raiden tossed it high into the air.

~

Sam was resting on Nisa's back, there really was nothing to do. Nothing to do until she spotted a green light in the sky. "Let's move!" Men scrambled everywhere.

~

"Do we really have time to be sitting!?" Rohan was pacing.

"Well we really have nothing else to do until help arrives." Raiden was just sitting starring out at the water. "Assistance should be here right about..."

*thud*

"Now." Raiden got up.

"What happened!?" Sam yelled.

"Leilani got captured." Raiden walked over to the skybison.

"Again!?" Sam yelled in disbelief. "Get on."

[Froggy]

Rohan was impressed by the speed in which Sam arrived. When she told Raiden to get on, Rohan looked at the bison as well. "This time I'm coming with you," Rohan said, looking directly at Raiden. "Leilani is my daughter and it is my responsibility to make sure she returns safely," Rohan said, looking at the Prince seriously.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leilani sighed as she tried to move. It was usesless really, the ropes were far too tight for her to move more than her fingers. She moved her fingers against the cot and held her breath, and pushed herself into a sitting position. She sat there, her breathing heavy as the pain registered in her chest. 'Stupid chest,' she thought to herself bitterly. If she was in prime condition she would be out by now, except now she had a wound conflicting with her movements.

She forced herself to stand, and began looking for anything sharp in the room. Finally her fingers glazed against a sharp edge, and she could feel a cut on one of her fingers. "Finally," Leilani mumbled to herself, kneeling her back against the sharp edge. She began to rub the rope against the edge, back and forth, as quickly as she could. She didn't want anyone walking in on her, least of all Aaron, and the speed helped cut the rope quicker as well.

When the rope finally broke she smirked, rubbing her wrists. She was sure they had to be red and bruised by now, but didn't bother to dwell on it as she undid the bindings on her feet. 'Raiden would be impressed,' Leilani thought to herself, still smirking lightly. Now for the bars and that darn ice barrier, she thought, shaking her head.

She walked up to the ice to get a more accurate idea of what she was dealing with, how thick it was and where the bars were placed in the ice. All she had to do was move enough that she could squeeze out. She stood in the center of the cell and balanced her breathing and concentrated on the water. If she bended it just right, she might get lucky enough to break just one bar at least, and have enough water left to make an ice sword. She concentrated on the water source, and her vision began to change into light blues and dark greens again.

Surprised, Leilani focused on the blues and greens. The nearest blue was the ice in front of her, and the next dot was some distance off by what she could presume to be the door to her cell. "Only one guard?" she mumbled to herself, wondering why they would only put one guard. With a few quick movements of her hand, and a few gentle movements to follow, there was a loud roar and a small section of the ice shattered, dropping two bars with it. 'Yes!' Leilani thought, her vision returning to the blackness in the room.

She could hear the door opening and the lights turned on, and Leilani hid in the corner of the cell, waiting on the guard to approach the cell. She had a sword of ice already bended in her hands, and tried to quiet down her breathing. The guard stopped in the middle of the room, seeing the large crack in the ice. Then he stepped into the cell, his hand on his sword.

Leilani struck before the guard could register what had happened, and grabbed the keys. Now to figure out how to get out, and to plan the rest of her escape.

[Ushima]

Sam looked to Raiden. "Your call."

Raiden extended his hand to Rohan. "Always glad to have some help."

Rohan took Raiden's hand, the Fire Prince pulled the man up onto the skybison. "Thank you."

"Sam take off." The skybison lifted off the ground. "They couldn't have gotten far, with this much ice in the water they'd have to take it slow." Raiden scanned the water looking for Codak's ship.

~

A half hour of flying Raiden finally found what he was looking for. "There!"

"Should we wait for the airship and back up?" Sam asked. She watched as Raiden lept off the side of Nisa. "You're crazy!"

Raiden landed on the ship in a crouch, his head ducked low. The men around him were startled and the grabbed their weapons, watching the intruder. They wondered why he wasn't moving. "Hurt. Bad." The impact with the deck had caused him some slight discomfort.

"Get him!" Someone finally yelled.

Raiden's head lifted up and his eyes shot open, revealling glowing eyes. Drawing his sword the blade came to life, a blade of lightning. He cut down anyone who came close. "Where is she!?" He yelled, moving toward the stairs to go below deck.

[Froggy]

"Always glad to have some help."

Rohan smiled at the Prince and followed him onto the skybison. He knew they couldn't have gotten far, but it was at least a half hour of flying before they finally found the ship. He was surprised when the Prince did not wait for back up, and instead took a leap of faith off the sky bison and onto the ship. Without question, Rohan took off at a run and leapt off after the Prince.

He could see that it had hurt Raiden to land, so he quickly took out his sheathed sword and tossed part of it over a wire and used it as a guide down. He landed smoothly on a tower and a few guards looked at him in surprise. Rohan unsheathed his blade and cut the men down before they had a chance to react, and looked off towards Raiden. He saw lightening slashing down anyone who got in the Prince's way and shivered.

Rohan jumped down next to Raiden, his sword drawn. "I've got things up here, you go get Leilani!" Rohan shouted, running off and waving his hands so the guards would follow him instead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leilani used the keys to open the door, making her way out as quickly as she was able to. She was thinking of a signal to use so Raiden would find her, and smirked when an idea came to her mind. She hid in a corner and breathed deeply, her hands moving in complex movements. Slowly, ever so slowly, the ship began to slow down. She could hear shouting and confusion above, and knew that she didn't have much longer before they discovered she was missing. Finally, with several more series of complex hand motions, the ship came to a grinding hault.

Leilani opened her eyes, and thrust her hands in the air. She worked quickly now, creating spikes encircling the ship, and she knew they would extend all the way to the rails outside. "If a ship frozen in the water isn't enough signal, he'll never find me," Leilani said, taking a few moments to rest. She listened and heard nothing but silence in the surrounding corridor, but the confusion was still going on outside. "Maybe they haven't figured it out yet?" Leilani asked herself, forcing herself to keep going.

Finally she heard someone shouting. "Intruders! Go guard the prisoner!" and Leilani raised a confused eyebrow. Intruders? Sam and Raiden maybe? She stayed in her corner and waited for the guard to pass, before launching her attack from behind and slicing him with her ice-sword. She continued running down the corridor, trying to figure out where she was. She was looking for the captain's corridors, she knew Aaron would be there. She had to end this before he was able to return to the Earth Nation.

Every time guards came by, she would hide in the shadows and attack while they were distracted or unprepared. By the time she reached the upper corridors of the ship, she was covered in blood (very little of it her own), and exhausted. "I believe you've gone far enough, traitor," a voice growled from behind. She turned to see Aaron decked out in battle armor, and carrying a large sword. Leilani cursed and prepared herself for battle, hoping Raiden would be there soon.

[Ushima]

Duck. Slash. Dodge. Stab. He was in a trance. Moving through the corridors of the ship. Men would pop out at him, swinging weapons of bending. Raiden would just block or dodge then quickly kill then. No one had answered his question, where Leilani was. Though entering one corridor he found he was surrounded. Sheathing his sword he turned his body, extending his hands so they pointed down the corridor.

"You die here!" One yelled.

Raiden, his eyes still glowing with the power of the avatar, smirked. His hands burst with fire as large jet of flame shot down the corridor. The men on either side of him burned, and Raiden stepped around the charring corpses.

"Yah!" Raiden side-stepped the attack and grabbed the attacking guard, throwing him into a closed door. Raiden spun, launching a kick. He kicked the door off it's hinges and sent the man, and the thick, solid steel door flying down the next corridor. He stepped through.

"You!" Some guy with a large sword pointed said large sword at him. Raiden drew his own sword, pointing it at him, the blade had arcs of lightning coming off it.

Raiden growled. "Where is she?"

[Froggy]

"Where is she?"

The guard took a step back at the lightening arching on his sword. "A cell in the cargo hold!" he shouted, turning and running the opposite direction.

~~~~~~~~~~

Leilani's ice sword kept shattering underneath Aaron's real sword. She was really wishing she had her own sword, it would make things so much easier. Currently the two blades were locked together, and Leilani was struggling to keep her hold. "This ends here and now," Leilani said, breaking the hold and backing up and creating some distance between them.

Her vision started changing again, and Leilani frowned. "I didn't want to do this, but you've left me no choice," Leilani said, jerking her hand in a swift motion. Aaron doubled over, dropping his sword. His face twisted into pain and he looked up at Leilani pleadingly. "All I wanted was for you to love me the way you love Raiden," Aaron said, his voice weak. Leilani's frowned at his sentence. "I love Raiden more than anyone I have ever loved before, and nothing will change that. Neither of us has to die here. Submit now and you'll be treated fairly," Leilani said, her vision returning to normal again.

Aaron stepped aside from his sword, complying with her wishes. When Leilani moved forward to touch him, he saw his opportunity. He grabbed his sword quickly and thrust it in the air, in an upward angle. He heard Leilani scream in agony and stood straight, the blood dripping off the end of his sword as he looked over her. "I will submit to no one, least of all you. Raiden will have heard your scream, and when he comes, I will end him and then end you," he told Leilani, watching as the girl clutched her hands to her face. He had sliced diagnolly from the bottom left side of her chin to the top of her right eye, and Leilani was leaning against a wall for support.

"I will be the one to end you," Leilani said, her voice just above a whisper. Leilani's vision had returned to hues of blues and greens, but it was different this time. The blues were darker, more like sapphires than the icy color they held before. Leilani jerked her hands and it was Aaron's turn to scream as he was doubled over backwards. She jerked again and his body twisted this way and that way, and his sword was on the ground again. Finally she jerked her hand in a 90 degree thrust, and Aaron's body twisted in the same angle, breaking his spine. The waterbender fell to the ground, and Leilani looked down at him with pity.

She tore off the sleeves of her robes and pressed them against her face, making her way out into the hall. "Raiden!" she tried to shout, but it came out as a whisper. How was she supposed to signal where she was? Surely he heard the screams, but there was always the possibility of echoes distracting him. She sat on the ground, leaning against the nearest wall. She began to see blues and greens, and she could see a familiar blue dot in the distance.

She began to pull at the dot with her free hand, clutching the cloth to her face with her other hand. She knew who the familiar dot was, and was hoping that he would allow himself to be pulled to her. She didn't like the idea of bending his blood after what she had just seen happen to Aaron, but it felt different when she pulled at his blood. It felt more like a longing than a desire to defend herself, so maybe he would feel it too.

[Ushima]

Raiden cut another guy in half, he was slowly making his way toward his goal. He was leaving no one alive. The Fire Prince felt as if he was being pulled, guided by some unseen force. He desperately wanted to find Leilani,though he couldn't fight this pulling. "He's down here!" More guards, Raiden easily cut them down.

"Weak fools." Raiden pushed a guard off his sword, continuing to walk down the hall. Taking a right he stopped, there was a body on the guard. He didn't remember killing anybody here. Turning his sword into a reverse grip and stuck the sword into the man's back. He also noticed that the man was contorted, like someone twisted his body and broke him as if he was a doll.

That strange feeling was stronger than ever. It reminded him of Leilani in a way. Round another corner and stopped, the glowing in his eyes disappeared. "L-Leilani?" He moved forward, extending his hands. "Oh spirits!" He pulled her into a hug. "I feared the worst."

[Froggy]

"Oh spirits!"

Leilani started shaking as Raiden pulled her into a hug, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was so happy to see him, she had never been this happy before. "I'm so happy to see you again," she whispered, using one arm to wrap around him.

"I feared the worst."

"I'm sorry," Leilani said, sobbing into his chest now. "I didn't have a chance. He came up from behind and landed a knock-out punch," Leilani told him, still shaking in his arms. She made to stand but the strain was too much on her body, and instead slid back down the wall. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and kiss him for eternity, but she was exhausted, mentally and physically, and her face was bleeding all over her torn sleeves.

"Take me to that brilliant medic of yours, so he can heal me and I can kiss you," Leilani said, smiling underneath the cloth. It hurt even to smile, and she wondered what Raiden would think about her latest scar. She frowned at the thought, wondering what she would think when she finally saw it.

[Ushima]

Raiden hooked his arms underneath her legs, lifting her up. "Everything is gonna be fine princess, don't worry." He carried her through the corridors of the ship, silent the entire way. They didn't need to say anything, Raiden was enjoying the comfort of having her in his arms. Reaching the deck of the ship he found his men were finishing off the rest of the gaurds.

"Raiden!" Sam called. The men let out a loud cheer as their leader returned. Raiden handed off Leilani to her father.

"Thank you." He said.

"Get her into the ship and to te medic." Raiden ordered.

"Raiden look out!" Raiden turned to look who had called him and caught a Razor Whip (http://www.karatemart.com/images/products/main/razor-chain-whip.jpg) to the face. He closed one eye so blood won't get in. With his one good eye he stared down the attacker, even using one eye Raiden's gaze was frightening.

"The Earth King will not be stopped!" The bladed chain was swinging wildly, Raiden was having difficulty tracking it. He stepped closer, sword in hand. The man launched the whip, stricking Raiden across the top of his right hand. A nice two inch cut.

He was tired, being in the Avatar State for so long hadn't helped, he had yet to master it. So Raiden did the only thing he could. "Sam!"

The airbender dropped down behind the man and kicked the back of his knees. With a hard punch to the back of his head he was unconscious. "You ok?" She asked the Fire Prince.

Raiden wiped some of the blood off his face, holding his hands infront of his face he looked at his crimson fingers. "....I've had worse." With a quick turn he moved toward the airship, stummbling. His men moved, catching him. "Thank you." With their help he made it into the ship, and to a bed in the infirmary.

[Froggy]

"Everything is gonna be fine princess, don't worry."

Leilani snuggled into his arms as he carried her through the ship. She was drifting back and forth into sleep and out, and was trying to stay awake. "I love you so, so much," Leilani said, snuggling closer to him. The pain in her face was still incredible, but it was becomming tollerable. Almost as though her face was going numb, trying to block out the pain.

"Get her into the ship and to te medic."

Rohan took his daughter and smiled grimly at Raiden. Just as he was turning to leave, someone shouted at Raiden and he looked up to see what was going on. He saw a razor whip strike the Prince in the face, and Leilani appeared to have witnessed it as well. "Raiden!" she shouted, her voice frantic. She was trying to struggle to go see Raiden, but Rohan kept a tight grip on her. "He'll be okay," Rohan whispered to his daughter, still holding onto her as she struggled.

"Raiden!" Leilani sobbed, watching as the whip struck him in the hand. She tried to break free of her father's grip to help, but she was too weak and he was too strong. Her father rushed her to the ship's medic, and she was surrounded by waterbenders. The doctor told her to drink something to calm her down, and though it tasted terrible, she complied. It was a long process to heal her wound, and she was awake the entire time, wondering if Raiden was okay.

Finally she saw Raiden entering the infirmary with the help of his men. "Raiden!" Leilani shouted as she saw him go to a bed. She wanted to go over there and hold him, hug him, and kiss him. But it hurt too much to move, and the waterbenders were doing a good job of keeping her in her bed. She felt guilty, that her capture had caused Raiden to get hurt. A few silent tears ran down her cheek, her body shaking. The doctor tried making her drink more of that disgusting stuff, but Leilani refused.

[Ushima]

"Don't move." Raiden didn't. He learned at a young age not to disobey a doctor's order. The doctor wiped away the blood from his face. "This might take awhile." The doctor bended some water around his right hand. The water started to glow. Raiden felt the wound slowly start to heal. While the doctor was working on his face another one was sarting on his hand.

"How tou feelin'?" Sam asked, approaching his bed. Mindfull not to get in the doc's way.

"Like I said, I had worse." The doctor's had a look of disbelief on their faces. Not that Raiden could see as his eyes were closed.

"Well you got your girl back." Sam looked over at the girl, giving her a smile and a wave. "She always seems to get into trouble when your not around."

"I'm thinking about just marrying her so she never has to leave my side." Raiden said. "That way she won't get captured all the damn time."

"Heh, I bet her father would love that idea." Raiden was silent. "What? Scared?"

"No!" Raiden yelled.

"Hold still please." It was two hours before Raiden was allowed out of the bed.

[Froggy]

Leilani was silent the entire time they were healing her. The pain was still there, but at least now it was manageable. She was watching the doctors heal Raiden as more doctors worked on her own face. She had a difficult time staying still, and finally the doctor made her drink medicine that tasted worse than the first.

"That should keep you still," the doctor said, smiling lightly at her. She started to feel drowsy, like her body was becomming dead weight. She had a difficult time keeping her eyes open, and a majority of her body was going numb. "Raiden?" she mumbled as she heard him talking with Sam.

Finally she fell back on the bed, her eyes closing as she drifted off into sleep. Instead of the peaceful dreams she had been having for the past two weeks, she had a nightmare. She dreamed that Raiden had been taken from her, and that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get to him. She was able to see him in the distance, in a cell with his hands bound, but there was guard after guard in front of her. Pretty much the same thing he went through every few days with her.

She felt guilty, watching Raiden in pain yet still being unable to help. To know that she had been the one responsible for his pain in the first place. When she woke, she had tears in her eyes and her vision was blurry. Leilani ignored the doctors and forced herself up, stumbling over to Raiden's bed. Some of the doctors tried to stop her from walking, but she pushed them off. Finally she was able to kneel beside his bed and she held his hand, looking at him sadly. "I'm sorry," she said, her face sulking. She wanted to kiss him so much, but she didn't know if he was mad at her or if he would be in too much pain for it.

[Ushima]

When the docs were done, after what seemed like forever to Raiden, he fell back onto the bed, He let out a sigh. "Tired?"

"Immensly." Raiden rubbed his his eyes.

"Doesn't that hurt? I mean your face was just cut open." Sam asked.

"Hello I am Raiden Pheonix." He said matter-of-factly. "I've been wounded so many times I hardly feel pain anymore."

"That's great yet slightly disturbing all at the same time." Sam pointed out. "Hey look who decided to visit. The future bride-to-be."

"I'm sorry,"

"Leilani." Raiden turned onto his side. With his free right hand he touched the left side of her face. Leaning in he kissed her, it had been to long since he had done that. Raiden pulled her into his bed, he just wanted to be next to her and not let go.

"Heads up Dad incoming." Sam warned.

"Marry me." Raiden said. "I love you, it hurts to be apart from you, I want you by my side forever. Fighting together, living together. I just want you in my life." Reaching out Raiden traces the scar on Leilani's face, being gentle as to not hurt her. "Beautiful." Raiden find the scar hideous. He loved the scar, it showed that Leilani was tough, wasn't affraid to fight. The kind of woman Raiden needs by his side.

[Froggy]

Leilani smiled as he touched her face, and she had to admit that it was comforting. She leaned into his kiss, glad to see that he wasn't angry with her. It was times like these that she wanted to stay there in his arms forever, and just feel the happiness that he brought her. She grinned as he pulled her into his bed, and snuggled into his arms.

At this point she didn't really care about Sam teasing them, she had gotten use to it. Plus there was plenty of water around for her to drown the airbender in this time (not really), but it was something to threaten her with in the very least.

"Heads up Dad incoming."

Leilani frowned as she saw her father entering the medic's bay. Even though Raiden wasn't angry with her, she knew that her father would be furious. Or worried, but she didn't know which would be worse. She feared her father when he punished her, but at the same time she felt guilty whenever she caused him to worry. She looked at Raiden nervously.

"Marry me. I love you, it hurts to be apart from you, I want you by my side forever. Fighting together, living together. I just want you in my life."

Leilani laid there in a stunned silence for what felt like several minutes, when it was only a matter of seconds. So many questions were running through her mind, and she was suddenly nervous about meeting his family. But when she looked at Raiden, and ignored everything else in the room, it was less confusing and more comforting. She smiled and her body felt like jello in his hands. "Yes," Leilani said, leaning in and kissing him. "I love you so, so much," Leilani said, smiling widely at Raiden.

"Beautiful."

Leilani shivered as he traced the scar on her face, and she traced the scar on his face, ever so gently. "Now we really match," Leilani said, chuckling. She heard a cough on the other side of the room.

Her father was standing there, a small smile on his face. He was pleased to see that his daughter had found someone she cared so much about, and someone who felt the same towards her. He walked over to Raiden's side and bowed his head to the Prince in respect. "I give you my blessing," Rohan said, placing his hand gently on Raiden's shoulder. "Treat my daughter well," Rohan said, before exiting the room and allowing the two to be together.

Leilani's frowned as she remembered something. "I guess it's my turn to meet your family then?" Leilani said, looking rather nervous with the idea. She looked at Raiden and smirked lightly. "You tell my mother and I'll tell Kaimana?" she asked, raising an eyebrow curiously. She just sat there, holding him in her arms. She leaned in and kissed him, with passion. It had been so long since they had gotten to be close to each other like this. Okay, maybe just the night before, but that felt like a very, very long time to her.

[Ushima]

"You tell my mother and I'll tell Kaimana?"

"Deal. I'd rather not deal with that little troublemaker anyway." Raiden shuddered at the thought of what bending induced rage Kaimana could perform when she was told her sister would no longer be living in the Water Tribes but instead in the Fire Nation with her husband. Living as a Princess no less.

"Congrats you two." Sam smiled. "Can't wait for the wedding. Weddings in the Fire Nation are so beautiful." Sam continued to list all the reasons why. The flowers, decortations, the nice weather, great food.

"Thank you Sam." Raiden said annoyed. "Now could you?" Nodding Sam left the two alone. Now Raiden was left to kiss his fiancee in peace. The two stayed in each other's embrace until the ship landed. All the passengers were let out. The couple, and Rohan, returned to the hut. Rohan hugged his wife. "Right so you're telling Kai?" Raiden was suddenly nervous. He didn't know why, Leilani already said yes to becoming his wife and Rohan had given them the blessing to marry. "I'll see you in a bit. No doubt you're mother would want to speak with you after I tell her the news." Raiden let go of his bride so she can inform Kaimana.

"Dear, Raiden has something to tell you." Rohan spoke when Leilani left the room.

'Oh spirits why am I so nervous? Ah to hell with it.' "Kaike." Raiden bowed low and addressed the woman by her name, deciding being formal would be the best approach. "Earlier today I asked your daughter for her hand in marriage. And she's accepted and your husband offered us his blessing. Please, it would be an honor to have yours as well. Leilani would be so happymto have the support of her mother. And I would also feel honored by your support for our union, for our love."

[Froggy]

"Deal. I'd rather not deal with that little troublemaker anyway."

Leilani smirked as Raiden shuddered. "A little scared of my sister are we?" she teased him, raising an eyebrow as a thought occured to her. "Or should I say our sister now?" she asked, her smirk growing. She wondered what Kaimana could have done to make Raiden act like that.

"Thank you Sam."

Leilani chuckled at the annoyed sound in Raiden's voice. At least Sam wasn't teasing them...yet. Then again, at this point anything she teased them of would probably be true. She leaned into his kiss and held his hand, kissing him back. While it did hurt the slightest bit, the pain was well worth it. She knew she would need to spend every spare moment over their trip to the Fire Nation recovering, that way she might be able to present herself to his parents without looking like an idiot. She wasn't looking forward to staying in bed, but she knew it was necessary.

She frowned when the ship landed, not wanting to part with him. She kept her arms wrapped around him as tightly as she could, walking with him to her home. She was nervous as they stepped inside, wondering what her mother would say, and wondering what Kaimana would say.

"I'll see you in a bit. No doubt you're mother would want to speak with you after I tell her the news."

Leilani smiled at Raiden. "And Kaimana will probably want to talk to you," Leilani said, chuckling a little. She left and made her way towards Kaimana's room, nervous. When she got there she knocked on the door, and Kaimana opened it shortly after. "Leili!" the little girl said, throwing her arms around her and wrapping her into a tight embrace. "Ow. That still hurts," Leilani said, patting her sister on the back and wrapping an arm around her.

"Leili what happened?" Kaimana asked as they sat on her bed. "Where'd you go and why are you hurt?" Kaimana asked, touching her own face. Leilani frowned lightly, wondering how to explain this to Kaimana. Leilani sighed in thought and pulled her knees up to her chest, leaning against the wall. "Well," Leilani said, glancing nervously at Kaimana. "Someone other than Raiden loved me very much, and became very upset when I told him no. He tried to paint me as a liar and attempted to bring me to the Earth Kingdom as a traitor, but I was able to escape with Raiden's help," Leilani said, reaching for the scar on her own face, that she had yet to see.

"His love for me was crazed, and when I said no he tried to hurt me. I was able to get the upper hand this time, but not before he was able to leave his mark. Raiden shares the same mark on his own face, the mark he got when he saved me. But we're both alright, and that's what matters," Leilani said, biting her lip. This was the part she was nervous about.

"Do you remember how I told you not every story has a happy ending?" Leilani asked her sister, looking at her nervously. Kaimana looked nervous and nodded her head. "Mine does," Leilani said, smiling as she thought about Raiden. "Raiden and I love each other very, very much and we want it to stay that way. He's asked me to marry him, and I accepted. We'll be leaving for the Fire Nation to tend to some business and allow me to meet his family soon," Leilani said, studying the girl's reactions.

At first Kaimana said nothing, and then she giggled. "Raiden and Leilani K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Kaimana shouted, getting up and dancing around the room. Leilani blushed as the little girl teased her. "So you're a Princess now?" Kaimana asked Leilani, grinning at her sister. This was not the reaction she was expecting. "I will be when I go to the Fire Nation and we marry," Leilani said, her voice careful.

"How long will you be gone?" Kaimana asked, sitting back down on her bed. Leilani facepalmed. She pulled Kaimana into a comforting hug. "Raiden will be my husband Kaimana...I'm moving to the Fire Nation," Leilani said, and the little girl froze in her arms. "Moving?" Kaimana asked, her voice tight. A large crack formed on the other side of the room. "I will come visit you Kai," Leilani said, holding the girl tightly in her arms. She could feel a few tears on her shoulder. "Besides," Leilani said, looking up and grinning. "You have a brother to annoy now," Leilani chuckled, although she felt guilty for putting Raiden on the spot like that. "And you'll be my beautiful flower girl," Leilani said, and Kaimana smiled.

"Can I pick my dress?" Kaimana asked, calming down a little. Leilani frowned lightly. "I'm not sure how Fire Nation weddings work. Especially royal weddings, so I don't know who gets to pick what," Leilani said, still thinking about it. She would have to ask Sam. "But I'll let you help pick if I can," Leilani said, and Kaimana smiled. Kaimana hugged her and Leilani felt at peace now, glad to have her sister's blessing. "Can I come visit you?" Kaimana asked, and Leilani smiled. "You're going to have to ask Raiden that, but I'm sure it'll be okay," Leilani said, still smiling.

~~~~~~~~

"Earlier today I asked your daughter for her hand in marriage. And she's accepted and your husband offered us his blessing. Please, it would be an honor to have yours as well. Leilani would be so happymto have the support of her mother. And I would also feel honored by your support for our union, for our love."

Kaike gasped in surprise, although a large smile appeared on her face. She bowed in return to Raiden, before looking up and smiling at him again. "You have been good to my daughter in more ways than I can count. I thank you for all the good you have been to her. I see your love blossom whenever you are near her, and she speaks of you dearly. You have my blessing," Kaike said, walking over to Raiden and pulling him into a gentle hug.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Kaimana and Leilani entered the living room, and Leilani smiled when she saw her mother hugging Raiden. It was clear she had given her blessing, and Rohan took his daughter's hand. "I'm so happy for you," he whispered, smiling. "Thank you dad," Leilani said, smiling at Raiden. Everything felt right, as though it was exactly how it needed to be. As though there was nothing wrong in the world.

"Oh, by the way, dad," Leilani said, smirking lightly as she looked down at Kaimana. "Kaimana's room needs to be repaired, she cracked the wall by mistake," Leilani chuckled, and her father looked at his other daughter in surprise. "How?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "She's a waterbender too," Leilani said, chuckling at Kaimana's blush. Her mother and father looked shocked.

[Ushima]

Raiden was happy. Happy that he had the blessing of both parents. "Thank you." Raiden bowed again. "You need not worry. Leilani would be treated well, I swear on my life that she will be."

"We trust you." Rohan shook the Fire Prince's hand.

"You have been good to my daughter in more ways than I can count. I thank you for all the good you have been to her. I see your love blossom whenever you are near her, and she speaks of you dearly. You have my blessing,"

Raiden returned the hug to his soon-to-be mother-in-law. "We'll be leaving for the Fire Nation tomorrow morning." Raiden glanced out the window, seeing the light of the day slowly fade. "We still have a mission to carry out."

"Kaimana's room needs to be repaired, she cracked the wall by mistake."

"How?"

"She's a waterbender too."

"At least my ship didn't break this time." Raiden chuckled. Kaimana blushed. "It's alright squirt." He placed a hand atop the girl's head as he moved towards Leilani. Cupping Leilani's face with his hand he ran his thumb across her cheek. His left hand went to her waist, pulling her close. "I love you." Leaning in he kissed her.

[Froggy]

"We still have a mission to carry out."

Rohan nodded grimly. "Keep her safe," he told the Prince, looking at his daughter as she blushed. Leilani smiled at Raiden, knowing that the easy part was over. Now she had to face his parents, and the thought made her more nervous than anyone knew. She wondered if his mother would accept her, if his father would consider her worthy enough for his son. Of course Leilani knew she was, but in the eyes of the Fire King...she wasn't sure what he would think.

"At least my ship didn't break this time."

Leilani chuckled as Kaimana blushed and Raiden called her squirt again. "Better get use to being called squirt," Leilani told Kaimana, poking her in the arm and avoiding a return-poke. Then again, now that Raiden would be her brother-in-law, he had to worry about being picked on also.

Leilani smiled as Raiden cupped her face and pulled her close to him. She enjoyed being by his side, and she leaned into his kiss. Rohan coughed and told Kaimana to go to her room until dinner was ready. Kaimana frowned and sulked back to her room, and Leilani frowned at the little girl.

"I'll help you cook," Leilani told her mother, smiling at her. She looked at Raiden and kissed him again. "Your turn to talk to Kaimana," Leilani said, smirking lightly. "And um...I kind of told her that she could annoy you sense you'll be her brother too," Leilani said, blushing and looking guilty. "And Sam is welcome to come as well," Leilani said, looking towards the airship. "Unless she's carrying out orders?" Leilani asked him, raising an eyebrow and smirking lightly.

[Ushima]

"She'll be here soon." Raiden said. "I'll talk to her. Now go help you mother." He pushed her in the right direction, giving her butt a little pat. "I'll see you in a bit." Winking at her he went to Kaimana's room. "Hey squirt."

"Brother!" Kai hugged Raiden. A hug he returned by picking her up and spinning her around. The little girl giggled.

~

"Everything ready to go tomorrow?" The men around her nodded. "Good. Be back later." Sam left the airship, for once she was glad to be out of the place. It smeeled to much like blood now. After the last two battles and dealing with bleeding men and women in the med bay. They were airing it out, should be good by the morning. Passing her skibison she pat Nisa on the side. "Good girl, now you behave." The bison growled in afirmation.

Walking throught the village Sam noticed how peaceful it was. She felt a little bad for Leilani, knowing how much the girl would miss her home once she was married to Raiden and living in the Fire Nation palace. She knew Raiden would allow visits back to the Water Tribe but it surely wouldn't be the same. Finding the hut Sam entered. "Hey I'm here!" She made her way to the kitchen. "So how's her majesty Mrs. Leilani Pheonix doing?"

[Froggy]

"I'll see you in a bit."

Leilani tossed him a playfull glare after he patted her butt, as though to say 'not around the parents!' She made her way into the kitchen, and began taking out ingredients for dinner as she helped her mother prepare dinner. "How do you feel?" her mother asked, and Leilani frowned, wondering if she should tell her mother the truth. "You look sad...what's the matter?" her mother asked, stopping and wrapping her arms around Leilani.

Leilani looked up at her mother and bit her lip. "I'm all cut up and injured and can barely walk and I have to meet his parents in a matter of days. What if his dad thinks I'm weak, and his mother thinks that I'm ugly?" Leilani asked, looking down and frowning. "There's just so many questions...I'm marrying into royalty, even though it's hard to remember sometimes, but I'm worried that his parents won't like me," Leilani said, still looking down.

Her mother pulled her into a tight (but gentle) hug and ran a hand through her hair. "Your scars prove that you are able to step into a battle, and come out victorious. It proves that you are not afraid of danger, and that you have immense courage. Your love for Raiden is all that matters, and they will be able to see that. You don't have any reason to worry," her mother said, combing her hair with her fingers. Leilani smiled lightly. "I hope you're right," Leilani said, looking at the door as Sam entered. Leilani stepped back quickly and smiled at Sam.

"So how's her majesty Mrs. Leilani Pheonix doing?"

Leilani's stomach turned inside out and her face blushed. "Nervous. Scared. Happy. Terrified," Leilani mumbled, forcing a smile. Her mother continued preparing dinner. "Dinner will be ready in about half an hour if you want to hang around, or go see Kai and Raiden," Leilani said, returning to her chores to hide her blushing face. Her mother smiled at her daughter, chuckling lightly at the redness in her face.

~~~~~~~

Kaimana looked at Raiden after he let her go, raising an eyebrow curiously at him. "Can I come visit you and Leilani after she moves?" Kaimana asked, her face hopeful. "Please?" Kaimana asked, hugging him tightly.

[Ushima]

Raiden put a hand on top of her head and ruffled her hair. "Ill come get you myself if I have to. You and your parents are always welcome to visit the palace."

"Yo boss." Sam appeared in the doorway. "How's it going?"

"Just relaxing with my little sister." Raiden turned to face Sam. "You check on Leilani?"

"Yeah she's a little nervous." Sam entered the room. "About meeting your family."

"Well she's meeting royalty." Raiden sighed. "Though it'll go well. My family will love her." Sam nodded. "At least my mother can finally stop introducing me to noble's daughters. Leilani is way better than those stuck up bitches."

"Ugh spirits I remember the last party we were at you spent the entire evening in hiding." Sam laughed at him. "Leilani is a much better choice than them."

[Froggy]

"Ill come get you myself if I have to. You and your parents are always welcome to visit the palace."

"Yeay!" Kaimana shouted, dancing around the room. Sam came in after that and she ran to hug the airbender. "Sam!" she squealed, bouncing up and down. "Will you come visit?" Kaimana asked, looking up hopefully at Sam now. She liked Sam, Sam was always fun.

"Ugh spirits I remember the last party we were at you spent the entire evening in hiding."

Kaimana giggled. "You were hiding from girls?" Kaimana asked, raising an eyebrow curiously at her brother. "Were they really that scary?" Kaimana asked, giggling again. "I feel sorry for Leilani if she has to meet them," Kaimana said, looking towards the kitchen. She could smell the food as it cooked, and smiled.

"Leilani is a much better choice than them."

"Well duh, Leilani is awesome. And she's my sister so that makes her even more awesome," Kaimana said as though stating something obvious.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Dinner's ready!" Leilani shouted from the kitchen as her and her mother placed the food on the table. Tonight they cooked Giant Sea Crabs (to celebrate the occasion), Squid soup, Seal salad, Seaweed bread, and Seaweed soup. "Guys! Dinner," Leilani called again, raising an eyebrow at her mother as though asking her not to tell Sam what they had cooked. She wasn't sure how picky the airbender was, and wanted her to try it before she found out what was in it. Her mother scowled but nodded her head in agreement.

[Ushima]

Dinner's ready!"

Raiden picked up Kaimana and through her over his shoulder. "Let's go." The little girl giggled as Raiden carried her.

"You're gonna make a great dad Raiden." That caused Raiden to pause for a moment. He hadn't thought about that aspect of their relationship. "Oh whoops, broke him."

"Never mind that. Let's just go." The trio entered the room. "Smells good." Raiden put down Kaimana and sat next to Leilani.

[Froggy]

"Smells good."

"It's going to be easy to cook for you if you like water tribe food," Leilani said, smiling widely at him. Kaimana took the seat on the other side of her, and her father sat next to her mother. Her mother led the prayer before they dug in, and Leilani had to admit that it was rather delicious.

She leaned against Raiden and smiled widely at him. "So Sam, how do you like the water tribe food?" Leilani asked, glancing at Sam nervously. She was hoping that Sam wasn't picky, and that she liked their cooking.

Glancing down she saw Kaimana steal some of her food, and frowned at the little girl. "Hey! I gotta eat too y'know!" Leilani said, engaging in a fierce tickle-battle with her little sister. "I give! I give!" Kaimana said, allowing Leilani to steal some of her food in return. "That's how you do it," Leilani smirked at Raiden.

[Ushima]

"Great!" Sam continued to wolf down the food.

"She's as much a bottomless pit as I am." Raiden whispered to Leilani. "She'll eat anyting like me. Many a time have we gotten into fights over the last piece of food."

"To bad someone else always takes it before we even finish." Sam said between bites. "We never do find out who it is."

Chuckling Raiden wrapped an arm around Leilani's shoulders, watching her fight with Kaimana.

"That's how you do it."

"I know how to deal with brats." Raiden winked at Kaimana at home. "I have an eight year old sister to deal with whenever I stop home to visit." Raiden knew all the ways to deal with his younger siblings. "Let me say this, all five of them will get on your nerves at some point."

[Froggy]

"She'll eat anyting like me. Many a time have we gotten into fights over the last piece of food."

Leilani laughed as Sam gulfed down the food. "Glad you like it," Leilani said, and her mother smirked at her. "Told you not to worry so much," her mother chided, and Leilani blushed. "Sorry mom," Leilani said, grinning. She stole a piece of food off Raiden's plate and giggled.

"I know how to deal with brats. I have an eight year old sister to deal with whenever I stop home to visit."

Leilani chuckled at Raiden and smiled as he wrapped his arm around her. "Kai you better watch out, he knows all the tricks...can't get anything past him," Leilani said, poking Kaimana and dodging one from her. She felt perfectly at peace, eating with her family and Raiden and Sam. It was like nothing was wrong in the world and they were where they were meant to be.

"Let me say this, all five of them will get on your nerves at some point."

Leilani smirked at Raiden. "That's okay, mine's gotten on your nerves plenty of times," she said, tossing a cheesy grin to Kaimana. "Hey!" the little girl said, and Leilani threatened to tickle her again."As long as they like me then it's okay," Leilani said, looking nervous again and glancing at her mother.

Dinner was quickly finished and Leilani volunteered to help her mother clean. "You've done enough tonight, you should rest," Rohan said, stepping up to Kaike's side. "I'll help your mother clean," he said, shooing Leilani off with the others. "Thanks dad," Leilani said, yawning in return. She was nervous and had butterflies in her stomach. She was anxious and terrified to meet his parents, wondering what they would think of her, if they would approve, if they would accept her, and the heat worried her a little as well.

[Ushima]

After dinner Raiden stood outside, watching the sunset. Lailani joined him, she looked worried. "Hey." He took hold of her hand and interlaced their fingers. "Everything is going to be fine. My parents aren't elitists." Raiden kissed her. "My mother was the daughter of a blacksmith. He went in to get his sword fix, saw her and fell in love right on the spot." It was true. "Though my mother wanted nothing to do with him at first. It's a funny story, maybe she'll tell you it."

Raiden looked back out at the setting sun. That feeling of weakness came over him again. The sun was his source of power, without it he wasn't as strong. He was still great, he had his sword and other weapons he could rely on. But his bending was at a huge disadvantage without it. Reaching up Raiden brushed some hair out of Leilani's face then kissed her again, a slow, deep, tender kiss.

[Froggy]

"Everything is going to be fine. My parents aren't elitists."

Leilani smiled after he kissed her. "I'm just...nervous," Leilani said, looking out into the distance. She was worried that they wouldn't like her, that his siblings wouldn't like her, and she was nervous about leaving home. For good, minus the occasional visit. She knew she would miss her family, miss Kaimana, miss her home, and miss the village. She knew that she would be living in the Fire Nation Palace, and that she would be closer to royalty than she's ever been before. She didn't even own a dress. Dressy robes maybe, but no dress.

"My mother was the daughter of a blacksmith. He went in to get his sword fix, saw her and fell in love right on the spot. Though my mother wanted nothing to do with him at first. It's a funny story, maybe she'll tell you it."

Leilani smiled at the story. "Maybe," Leilani said, feeling a little better about meeting his family. She was still nervous, but at least she felt a little better about it. "I wonder what they will say when they see our matching scars," Leilani chuckled, looking curiously at Raiden's. Despite the different weapons associated with their scars, they were oddly similar.

Leilani couldn't help but melt in his arms as he kissed her. She loved when they kissed, it brought about a sense of love and caring that she had never experienced before. "Come on, it's my turn to keep you warm," Leilani said, getting up and tugging gently at his arm, smiling at him. She knew the cold and darkness drained his energy, and she wondered what it would be like for her at the Fire Nation.

[Ushima]

"Come on, it's my turn to keep you warm."

Raiden allowed himself to be dragged by his bride. He was wearing a goofy smile. "Is that an invitation love? Didn't think we were at that stage yet." Raiden teased. He of course was not going to push this relationship faster than it needed to be, though asking her to marry him after only knowing each other for about a month and dating for a week of that month was kinda pushing it itself. But Raiden didn't care about that. Just smiling as Leilani dragged him wherever.

~

Sam sat in Kaimana's room telling her a story. "And then Raiden runs into the room. I say 'ok Raiden's got this relax everyone.' Yeah well he comes running out of the room screaming, 'screw it! run!'" Kaimana giggled loudly. "We panic, cause if Raiden is scared of something you know it's bad. Cause Raiden's Raiden, he's not affraid of anything. Well maybe the girls his mother tries to set him up with, but he has Leilani to keep him safe now." Kaimana cheered for her sister. "Where was I? Oh yeah, so this big ugly creature comes bursting through thedoor, breaking it and the wall. Raiden's screaming at the top of his lungs to get away, me and the guys are all yelling. Not a good time for us."

[Froggy]

"Is that an invitation love? Didn't think we were at that stage yet."

Leilani rolled her eyes. "Invitation to what?" Leilani asked innocently, or well, it would have been innocent if she hadn't been smirking. She herself was wearing a goofy grin, and smiled as she passed Kaimana's room. She saw Sam telling Kaimana a story, which relieved her of those duties for the evening. "But to answer your question, not in my house. I think dad might have a heart attack," Leilani said, frowning at the thought.

Once in her room she closed the door and smiled. "Remember to be gentle with my face please," Leilani said, smirking as she kissed him.

~~~~~~~~~~~
"Where was I? Oh yeah, so this big ugly creature comes bursting through thedoor, breaking it and the wall. Raiden's screaming at the top of his lungs to get away, me and the guys are all yelling. Not a good time for us."

Kaimana giggled at Sam's story. "How did you get out?" Kaimana asked, looking at Sam curiously. She was just as good of a story teller as Leilani.

[Ushima]

"Well Raiden gets into an airship and takes off. The rest of us get in another one. We thought we got away when a tentacle grabs out ship and starts pulling us back." Sam was using her hands to exagerate, a great story telling technique. "So we're all screaming 'oh spirits this is it!' Then we notice the airship Raiden was in turns around and heads straight for the thing. Then bam!" Sam's fist met her hand, creating a loud smack. "Raiden crashes the ship into the ugly thing, it lets go of us. I thought it was over but then it blows up! Boom!" Sam's arms are opened wide. "We feared the worst. But then Raiden comes walking, slowly, out of the fire. It was the coolest thing I've ever seen him do. And that is how he earned the the nickname Pheonix Prince. We thought he died and rose from the ashes of the flame."

~

"Remember to be gentle with my face please."

"Yes, your face." Raiden traced the scar. "Your beautiful face." Raiden kissed her back with equal passion. He lifted her up and carried her to the bed. Setting her down he leaned over her. "I love you, my bride. I can't wait until I can call you my wife." He brushed the side of her face with the back of his hand. His body was telling him to push things farther, giving off obvious signs, but he held himself back. Leaning down he captured her lips again, running his tounge over her bottom lip.

[Froggy]

"We feared the worst. But then Raiden comes walking, slowly, out of the fire. It was the coolest thing I've ever seen him do. And that is how he earned the the nickname Pheonix Prince. We thought he died and rose from the ashes of the flame."

Kaimana shivered at the ending. "That's so cool!" she said, giving Sam a big hug. "That was one of the best stories ever!" she said, keeping her voice quiet so Leilani wouldn't hear. "Just don't tell Leili I said that, she might get mad," Kaimana giggled. "Tell me another one Sam!" Kaimana begged, looking up at her with sad eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Your beautiful face."

Leilani squealed a little as he lifted her up, having caught her by surprise. "Warn me next time!" Leilani said, giggling a little. She smiled as he laid her in her bed and leaned over her.

"I love you, my bride. I can't wait until I can call you my wife."

Leilani smiled happily at Raiden. "And I can't wait to call you my husband," she said, shivering lightly as he brushed her face with his hand. She reached up and touched his hand, looking rather content. She just wanted to be in his arms forever, and it felt as though they couldn't be close enough.

Her body shivered again as he ran his tongue across her bottom lip, her body turning to jello after that. She smirked and decided to pay him back by biting his tongue, hard, and looked at him smugly.

[Ushima]

"Well how about the story of the Cave of two lovers?" Sam asked. "Legends say that the tunnels were created by Oma and Shu, who fell in love despite being from enemy villages. They are believed to have been the first Earthbenders, and created the passage between their villages to meet secretly. To find one's way out of the tunnels, one must "trust in love" and relinquish one's dependence on torches and any sort of natural lighting."

~

Raiden moaned when Leilani bit his lip, it was a moan of both pain and pleasure. Pulling back he sat up, looking down at her with a hungry smile. "Let just broke my resolve." Raiden took of his shirt and threw it across the room. "I hope you're ready." He came down, kissing her lips then slowly moving down to her jaw, then her neck. He bit, light but hard enough to leave the desired mark. She was his, he was hers, and they'd make it so tonight. His hands went to remove her clothing. Raiden was sure Leilani could sense his burning passion, what with how the temperature around the bed had risen some degrees. "My love, I want you."

[Froggy]

"Well how about the story of the Cave of two lovers?"

"Have you been there?" Kaimana asked, looking intrigued as Sam spoke of the cave. It sounded scary yet fairytale like at the same time. "How are you supposed to find your way out if it's all dark?" Kaimana asked, wondering how natural light in the earth would be bright enough.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Let just broke my resolve."

Leilani chuckled as he took off his shirt. "Hmmm. Nice to know I have that power," Leilani said, grinning wickedly. She shivered as he moved from her lips, to her jaw, and finally to her neck. She grabbed at his chest, shivering as he bit her gently. "No faaair," Leilani moaned, digging her nails into him. She returned the favor by kissing him on his jaw, her nails still digging into his skin.

"My love, I want you."

She relaxed as the temperature in the room rose, and she chuckled lightly at Raiden. "I thought I was supposed to be keeping you warm?" Leilani asked, pulling him back down and aiming a rather passionate kiss on his lips.

[Ushima]

"Trust in love my dear." Sam patted the little girl on the head. "And it will guide you. Just like it's guiding Leilani and Raiden. Now, time for bed little one."

~

"I thought I was supposed to be keeping you warm?"

Raiden broke the kiss. "Let's keep each other warm." Raiden removed her clothing. Reaching up he traced the scar on her chest and she traced his. He shuddered at her touch. It felt great, being like this with someone he cared about, that he loved more than anything. This girl under him, moving in tandum with him, moaning his name as he loved her, caused him to feel things he thought he'd never would. This girl, the one whose name he was moaning as she loved him, could break him. She held his heart in her hands and could easily destroy him. That scared him, but he trusted her, trusted in the love they had for eachother. Leilani was probably in the same situation.

The two lovers, sated, retreated under the covers, content to just hold each other and basking in the euphoria of their lovemaking. Raiden had Leilani's back pulled to his chest. Their bodies, though sweaty, fit together perfectly. "Goodnight, wife."

[Froggy]

"Let's keep each other warm."

Leilani nodded and shivered at his touch. It was in this moment that she felt as though perfectly at peace, and in perfect harmony with Raiden. She had never experienced feelings like this for anyone before, and she had to admit that it scared her. It scared her to be so close to Raiden, to know that he had what it took to make or break her. She trusted him immensely though, and knew that she was safe as long as she was with him.

"Goodnight, wife."

Leilani smiled as he called her his wife. She knew that he enjoyed calling her that, and was proud to be able to do so. He meant so much to her...he was her hero, her husband, and so many other things she couldn't name them all. "Good night, my love," Leilani said, summing it up with those two words.

~~~~~~~~~~
Leilani slept a peaceful sleep through the night, occasionally waking up and giving Raiden a short kiss. Her eyes opened at the first sign of sunlight entering the room, and she shook Raiden's arm lightly to wake him up. "It's morning," Leilani whispered, kissing him again.

[Ushima]

"It's morning."

Raiden enjoyed the kiss. He pulled her close and snuggled with her deeper under the covers. "For once I don't want to go out to train in the rising sun." Sure he was back at full strength but after having sex just hours ago he wanted to just stay with her here in her bed, holding her, perhaps enjoy an early morning round two. Raiden glanced at Leilani's neck, seeing red marks. He smiled, Leilani was offically marked as his. Then he glanced at his bare torso, counting the red marks on his own body. He smiled, he was offically Leilani's and he wouldn't have it any other way.

The door swung open and Sam slid in. "It's a beautiful morn-" Sam blinked in surprised, her song ending abruptly. "Holy crap you're naked!" She ran out of the room.

"Oh great." Raiden sighed.

[Froggy]

"For once I don't want to go out to train in the rising sun."

Leilani frowned at him as he mentioned training. "I know I'm not going," Leilani said, tossing him a warning look. Her chest still hurt every now and then, and she didn't want to make things worse by training with her crazy fiancee. "I still need to rest so I'll be well again when I see your parents," Leilani said, frowning lightly at the thought.

"It's a beautiful morn-"

Leilani's face had a look of terror on it as the door swung open and Sam entered, singing. She could feel her face turning several shades of red as the airbender blinked her eyes, and she could feel her body temperature rising as well.

"Holy crap you're naked!"

Leilani's eyes began to tear up as Sam screamed and ran. "It is not great," Leilani said, her voice quivering as the tears streamed down her cheeks. She knew he was being sarcastic, but she was worried that Sam would tell and everyone would make fun of them. She knew Sam was bound to make fun of her later. "I don't care what you have to do. Use your title if you have to so she never speaks of this to anyone," Leilani mumbled. "Order her not to say a word," Leilani begged, shaking now.

[Ushima]

"Sam wouldn't tell. She really wants to be an aunt and have someone to spoil. Can't do that if I'm dead after she tells your parents and your dad kills me now can she?" True Raiden was the Avatar and a highly trained elite warrior. But that was nothing compared to paternal rafe. "Besides Sam wouldn't tell anyone regardless. She knows better than that." He hugged Leilani and wiped her tears, memories of last night resurfaced and he smiled at her. Leaning in he kissed her gently, his hand gently carressing her face. "You are amazing you know that?" He wasn't just commenting on her performance last night, which was amazing, but Leilani was an amazing woman.

~

Sam stopped running and pressed herself against the wall. She quickly caught her breath. "I'm gonna be an aunt!" She squealed in delight. "Oh I can't wait to spoil my niece or nephew. Or maybe both! Twins run in Raiden's family afterall."

[Froggy]

"Sam wouldn't tell. She really wants to be an aunt and have someone to spoil. Can't do that if I'm dead after she tells your parents and your dad kills me now can she?"

Leilani frowned at Raiden's logic. "Sam is going to have to wait on the Aunt part, I can't fight if I'm supposed to be taking care of myself," Leilani said, raising an eyebrow and smirking lightly. Still, it would make her feel better if he at least ordered her not to tease them. She didn't think she could handle that sort of teasing.

"Besides Sam wouldn't tell anyone regardless. She knows better than that."

Leilani frowned at him. "But she'll still tease us more than before," Leilani said, looking disappointed. "Can you at least order her not to tease us?" Leilani asked, looking hopeful. She smiled at his touch, at his kiss. It brought back memories of the night before and she grinned at his words. "I know," she said smugly, hugging him tightly. "But so are you," she said, kissing his chin.

Leilani sighed, seeing the sun over the horizon now. "Come on, let's get up and get this over with," Leilani said, frowning as she looked at the door. She really hoped Sam wouldn't tell anyone, or tease them about it.

[Ushima]

Raiden nodded and quickly got dressed. "Remeber we're leaving soon. Say your goodbyes, friends, family, anyone you'll miss. It'll be awhile before we'll see any of them again." Shame, Raiden would miss kaimana. The little girl had grown on him, it was like she was already family. Once the couple was ready Raiden took hold of Leilani's hand. "Hey." Raiden kissed her. "Don't worry about Sam, alright? I'll take care of it." Though Raiden knew Sam wouldn't tease them more than she usually did, though she had more ammo to throw at them. "Let's get some breakfast."

[Froggy]

"Remeber we're leaving soon. Say your goodbyes, friends, family, anyone you'll miss. It'll be awhile before we'll see any of them again."

Leilani frowned at his words, knowing they were true. She wasn't sure what she would miss the most about this place...everything held an equal weight in her life. Everything here was responsible for making her who she was. "Sam should say goodbye to Kaimana too," Leilani said, knowing that Kaimana would be crushed after they left.

"Don't worry about Sam, alright? I'll take care of it."

Leilani smiled at his kiss and nodded her head. She kissed him in return and gripped his fingers as he held onto her hand. "I love you," she said, still smiling at him.

"Let's get some breakfast."

"I'm starved," Leilani said, now that he mentioned food. It seemed like every time he mentioned food she got hungry. "The sad part is, I'll need Sam's help on what clothes to pack," Leilani said, shaking her head. That would be embarrassing if she teased her while helping her pack.

[Ushima]

"Anything that's light. Fire Nation tends to be warm." Hw was stating the obvious. "I usually use short sleeved shits." He didn't mention that was only when he did wear a shirt. Raiden was mostly shirtless when he was home. "And whatever you don't have I'll buy for you." He's rich afterall, he could probably buy her everything she'd need and she could leave her stuff here.

"Morning you two." Rohan smiled at the couple.

"Morning." Raiden smiled back.

"You two hungry?" Kaiki asked.

"Oh yeah." Raiden leaned in to whisper to Leilani. "I worked up an appetite last night." He kissed her cheek. "Where's Sam?"

"Right here!" Sam came in with Kaiman on her back. "You two sleep well?"

Raiden shot Sam a look. "Fine, thanks."

"Breakfast is ready!" Kaiki called and the group sat at the table.

"You ready to leave?" Rohan asked.

"In a couple hours. Leilani needs to pack some things and say goodbye to friends and family." Raiden bit into his food.

[Froggy]

"I usually use short sleeved shits."

"I meant as far as making an impression on your parents!" Leilani said, looking horrified at giving his parents a first impression of short-sleeve t-shirt. "Because let's face it, the bride of the Fire Prince walking off the airship to meet the king and queen of the fire nation in a t-shirt will make a great first impression," Leilani said sarcastically.

"And whatever you don't have I'll buy for you."

"That's not necessary..." Leilani said, blushing lightly. She wasn't picky, she just hoped Sam would be able to help her pick out something nice to wear when she met his parents.

"I worked up an appetite last night."

Leilani tossed him a warning look, although that quickly melted as he kissed her. He had a very unfair disadvantage, as he could calm her down with a kiss. Making it rather difficult to be angry with him.

"You two sleep well?"

Leilani fought the blush that was threatening her cheeks. She simply looked away, although she thought it was cute how she came out with Kaimana on her back. Her sister was giggling, and that was good to see since Kaimana knew they were all leaving that morning. At least Sam managed to calm her down.

"In a couple hours. Leilani needs to pack some things and say goodbye to friends and family."

Leilani looked at Kaimana and grinned. "I'll tell you one more story before I leave," she said, and Kaimana cheered. "Yeay!" she said, pulling Leilani into a hug. Leilani returned the hug, and stole some food from Kaimana's plate while doing so. "Hey!" Kaimana said, and Leilani chuckled at her sister as she tried to steal food off her plate. "I'm hungry too you know!" Kai complained, and Leilani smirked. "Then eat the rest of your food before I do," Leilani said, grinning wickedly. Kaimana gasped in shock and began eating her meal. Leilani simply ruffled her hair and returned to her own meal, tossing Raiden a smug look.

[Ushima]

Raiden quickly ate his food, wanting to leave as soon as possible. "Everything set Sam?"

"We're all stocked and the ships been through multiple inspections." Sam answered. "It's set for launch at your order."

"Have you run estimations for travel time?" It felt good to be talking military stuff again and Raiden couldn't help the small smile grace his face as he was back doing what he loved.

"Yes."

"What's our E.T.A.?" Raiden asked.

"About four days, if you don't stop to give the men a break. Which you will, knowing you." Sam took a drink. "We'll be home before you know it."

"Right, did you send work to my parents?" Sam nodded. "Good, then they'll be expecting our arrival and no doubt planning a feast. I assume you didn't tell them about my engagement to Leilani." Sam shook her head no. "Excellent, I wanted to announce that to them myself. It'd carry more weight if I delivered the news with Leilani at my side."

[Froggy]

Leilani sat there, finishing the rest of her food in silence as they spoke in military language. She had a confused expression on her face as the only time she had seen Raiden like this was at his outpost, which was not a very pleasant time for her. "I'm going to pack," she said, getting up and putting her plate in the sink and rinsing it off before going to her room.

She felt a little awkward with Sam and Raiden speaking like that, and she knew that would happen a lot more often until Raiden caught her up to speed with military language. She had spent her entire life as just any regular villager, teaching children how to waterbend, looking after the children, doing her chores, and mastering her skills as a waterbender.

She had never killed a man before she met Raiden. Though a skilled swordswoman, she had never actually partaked in a battle before she met Raiden. It was all so new and strange to her, and she hoped she could live up to his military standards. Then there was the issue of the training Raiden had told her of, and the mere thought of it alone made her shiver.

She sat a suitcase on her bed and opened it up, starting from scratch. She looked around her room, looking at all the things she would miss from it. She packed a few water books and important water scrolls, she left all of her furs except for her two favorites (for when she would make trips back), she packed a couple pairs of shoes, her hair brush, and her tooth brush. She looked on her bed and smiled as she saw Kimaki, her favorite stuffed bunny that she'd had since she was a kid. She picked it up and held it, giving the bunny one last hug before she called Kaimana. "Kaimana, I have something for you," Leilani said, smiling lightly. Now was the hard part.

She was looking through her closet over and over while she waited on Kaimana, trying to decide what to wear to meet his parents, and what to pack. She didn't want to pack anything too casual, but she wasn't sure if she should pack her really dressy clothes. Sam mentioned something of a feast, and she bit her lip as she looked at her wardrobe. She had been delaying this as long as she could, but she couldn't hold it off any longer. "Sam!" she shouted, looking at her door. She really needed the airbender's help picking out clothing, as Raiden's best suggestion was a t-shirt...she didn't even own any t-shirts due to the cold climate. She owned about three semi-short sleeve kimonos but that was about it, and looking into her wardrobe she felt vastly unprepared to enter the fire nation.

Kaimana came in within minutes, looking sad as she looked around at Leilani's room. Leilani smiled at Kaimana, pulling her into a tight hug (although she was careful not to let her see what she was getting). "I'm going to miss you soooo much," Leilani said, swallowing hard to prevent herself from crying in front of Kaimana. She had to stay strong so that Kaimana would be able to let out her emotions. "But I'm going to give you something to take care of while I'm gone," Leilani said, smiling as she held Kimaki behind her back. "That way you always have Kimaki to hold when you're thinking of me," Leilani said, holding Kimaki out and placing the doll in Kaimana's hands.

Kamana smiled as a few tears began to fall down her cheeks. "I'm going to miss you sissy," Kaimana said, throwing her arms around Leili. "I love you so much," Kaimana said, holding onto both Leili and Kimaki. "I'll tell you a story after Sam helps me finish packing," Leilani said, smiling at her sister as she wiped the tears off Kaimana's cheeks. Kaimana smiled and nodded her head, sitting on Leilani's bed and holding Kimaki.

[Ushima]

Raiden moved outside to wait, drawing his katana from his back. He started doing a few katas, a bit of light training. The blade moved gracefully through the air, quickly cutting down imaginary foes.

~

Sam entered Leilani's room. "What you want?" She was annoyed that this was taking so long. How hard was it to pack a few clothes? "You have barely packed anything. Come on girl pick up the pace." Sam looked over the items Leilani had already packed, nodding in approval. "It's a start aleast."

[Froggy]

"You have barely packed anything. Come on girl pick up the pace."

Leilani glared at Sam's annoyance and crossed her arms. "I've packed everything I need except my clothes," Leilani said, turning to face her closet, a scowl on her face. "I need your help because I don't know what clothes to pack. I want to make a good impression and I thought you might have a better idea on how to do that than wearing a t-shirt," Leilani said, looking at Sam sadly.

Leilani was already getting homesick, and she still had a lot to do before they left. She still had to tell Kaimana a story, and she still had to say goodbye to her friends and family. She wanted to see the tidal pools at the other end of her village one last time, but she doubted Raiden would let her.

The tidal pools were where she learned to waterbend, where she taught the children how to bend. They were a part of her, they helped shape her into the master bender she was today. They were where she went to meditate and relax. She knew it would be difficult to talk Raiden into it, but she only wanted ten minutes to say goodbye to the place she had been going to since she was eleven. She supposed if it really came down to it, she could always threaten him and say he wasn't getting a round two that night, but that was a last resort as it was rather underhanded.

Leilani frowned, looking at Sam sadly. "I'm going to miss this place," she said, sighing as she picked something up out of her closet and examined it, putting it in front of her as though to ask Sam what she thought.

[Ushima]

"It's not that hard. Pack light clothing and anything fancy enough to attend a formal ball. You're over complicating things girl. I learned that when dealing with Raiden it's better to go simple." Sam explained. "Beside you'll probably have to borrow some stuff from either me or his mother, and his sister's stuff is up fro grabs since her insurection and attempted homicide on Raiden. So she'll have a few items you could pick from." Sam held onto Leilani's shoulders. "Look at me. You're worrying to much. His parents will love you, of that I have no doubt. You're brave, strong, a talented bender. You have passion running through your veins and you accomplish what you set your mind to. The perfect qualities for a queen of the Fire Nation, the perfect qualities for a woman to stand by Raiden's side. These are what you need for them to like you, not what dress you're wearing. As far as I'm concerned you could be wearing rags, but as long as you carry yourself with those qualities, you're set." Sam hugged her. "You'll be fine."

[Froggy]

"It's not that hard. Pack light clothing and anything fancy enough to attend a formal ball. You're over complicating things girl. I learned that when dealing with Raiden it's better to go simple."

Leilani frowned and nodded her head. She supposed she could pack a few of her blouses, but most of her stuff was pretty heavy due to the cold temperatures. Then again, she did have a few short sleeve clothes due to her travels. She picked a few of those out of her closet and tossed them into her suitcase.

"Beside you'll probably have to borrow some stuff from either me or his mother, and his sister's stuff is up fro grabs since her insurection and attempted homicide on Raiden. So she'll have a few items you could pick from."

Leilani shivered at the idea of wearing his sister's clothing. "It might be a bit...strange to wear his homicidal sister's clothing," Leilani said, shivering again as she looked at her closet, a little less picky now that she knew her other options.

"Look at me. You're worrying to much. His parents will love you, of that I have no doubt. You're brave, strong, a talented bender. You have passion running through your veins and you accomplish what you set your mind to. The perfect qualities for a queen of the Fire Nation, the perfect qualities for a woman to stand by Raiden's side. These are what you need for them to like you, not what dress you're wearing. As far as I'm concerned you could be wearing rags, but as long as you carry yourself with those qualities, you're set."

Leilani looked down at Sam's words. She was so nervous about meeting his parents, but if both Sam and Raiden thought she would be okay then it did make her feel a little better. "I'm just...nervous," Leilani said, looking up at Sam as she hugged her. Leilani returned the hug and sighed, and turned to her closet. She packed a few more clothes and looked at her robes, trying to decide which would be best for a ball. Finally she decided on a teal blue robe with deep, water blue swirls. "I guess that's everything," Leilani said, looking around her room sadly. It looked oddly bare now that she had packed a majority of her belongings away. "We still have goodbyes. And I still have two more things I need to do," Leilani said, looking out her window in the direction of the tidal pools. She had to tell Kaimana one last story, and she really wanted to show Raiden the tidal pools. So him what was responsible for shaping her into the bender she was today.

"Kaimana!" Leilani called her sister, carrying her suitcase behind her. "Story time!" Leilani shouted, a small smile on her face as she began thinking of ideas for a story.

[Ushima]

"Make it quick princess. We need to leave as soon as possible." Sam left the room. Going outside she found Raiden. "Training hard?"

"Just some simple stuff. How did things go in there?" He asked.

"She seems incapable of making decisions when she's nervous. I told her she's freaking out for nothing. She needs to get some self confidence." Radien just listened. "You feeling ok? I mean it's only been a day."

"I'm fine." Raiden said. "I just want to go home." Though he was sad that they wouldn't be there more than a couple days.

[Froggy]

Leilani told Kaimana a story of a swamp. A swamp that wasn't like most, a swamp where you saw things. People. One person to be exact. She told Kaimana of a water bender who ventured through that swamp and was greeted by the villagers who inhabited the swamp. She told her how the waterbender would have been lost had it not been for the kind people in that swamp, and what the waterbender saw in that swamp.

Leilani mentioned a woman with long, black hair and a fire nation emblem on her sleeve. She mentioned how the woman had only been a couple years older than her, yet even in the fog her bending skills were clear. She mentioned that the woman seemed familiar to the waterbender, although the waterbender could not place who she was.

Kaimana frowned at that, her curiosity growing. Leilani explained that the swamp was a place that was sort of like a crystal ball. That the person who revealed themselves to you in that swamp would appear in your future at some point, sooner or later. She revealed to Kaimana the history behind the swamp, as she had been told by the people who inhabited the swamp. She said that the people of the swamp actually had some pretty good food, and just as they took their food from the sea, the people made their food from the swamp. She explained how a majority of the occupants were also waterbenders, who learned different types of waterbending. How they were able to draw the water out of things, rather than use what was available.

"I wonder what I would see there," Kaimana said, shivering as she looked up at Leilani. "Lets hope you never have to find out," Leilani said to her sister, pulling her into a tight hug. "C'mon, you still have to say goodbye to Sam and Raiden," Leilani said, pushing the girl forward gently as she carried her suitcase behind her. Leilani entered the kitchen after Kaimana, where she was greeted by her parents.

"I will miss you so Leilani," her father said, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Leilani returned the hug, a few tears coming down her cheeks. "Thank you for your blessings papa," Leilani said, kissing him in the cheek. She turned to face her mother, who was fighting back tears. "Who will teach the children?" her mother teased, and Leilani smiled. "You're a great teacher, I'm sure they'll love you," Leilani said, hugging her tightly. "We'll send word and an escort when we know the wedding date," Leilani said, smiling widely at all three of them. "I'll try and talk Raiden into letting you come early to help with the wedding," Leilani said, hugging Kaimana who cheered. "Take good care of Kimaki," Leilani said, smiling at the little girl. "Raiden and Sam are outside, although I'm going to steal Raiden for a few minutes. I feel he should see the tidals before we leave," Leilani said, smiling at her father.

The family followed her outside, and she went to Raiden's side. "I have one last thing to show you," Leilani said, kissing him gently. "It'll only take ten minutes, but it'll be worth it," Leilani said, looking at him pleadingly.

[Ushima]

"Here she comes." Sam announced.

"Good." Raiden turned towards Leilani and her family. He sheathed his sword on his back. "Sam get back to the ship and make sure everything is set for take off, anchors off and all that pre-take off stuff."

"Got it boss." Sam saluted before running off at high speeds, her bending making her quick on her feet.

"I have one last thing to show you. It'll only take ten minutes, but it'll be worth it."

He returned the kiss. Knowing it'd be faster if he just went along with it he said. "Lead the way my love."

[Froggy]

Kaimana frowned as Raiden told Sam to get the ship ready. Sam left without even saying goodbye, and Kaimana looked upset. "You didn't even let me say goodbye," Kaimana said to Raiden, hanging her head low. She knew she would miss the airbender, even if Leilani thought she was annoying.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's okay Kai, next time we come we'll bring her," Leilani said, raising an eyebrow at Raiden. Leilani gave Kaimana one last hug, and kissed her mother and father on the cheek. She was glad that Raiden would let her see the tidals again, even if he didn't know where they were going.

She interlaced their fingers, leaning against him as they walked. She would occasionally lean up and kiss him, and it was clear she was pleased they were going. "This is where I first learned bending. This place helped shape me into the bender I am today," Leilani said, going through a small ice cave now. "When I first learned bending I use to sneak out at night and come here to practice," Leilani said, smiling at the memories.

They crouched through a small opening, and entered a large room with tidal pools (http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5429242272_9338e1d0f3.jpg) and ice crystals in it. Leilani smiled as she looked around. It looked almost exactly as it did eight years ago when she first discovered it. "It didn't feel right leaving without saying goodbye to this place," Leilani said, looking around the room one last time as she remembered some of her better memories here. She leaned against Raiden and kissed him. "Thank you," she said, signaling that she was ready.

[Ushima]

"You're welcome." Raiden broke away from Leilani for a moment. "This place really is beautiful." He had to give credit where vredit was due, it did have a certain charm to it. Though he'd prefer the Royal Gardens or Ember Island's beaches to this cold cave. Exhaling a deep breath Raiden extended his hands. He moved his arms in slow arcing motions. He focused his chi, the water rose into a small column. Exhaling another breath he froze it in place. "I guess this is the place we first bended water." He smiled at her, taking her hand again and interlacing her fingers. "This place is even more special now that we shared an experience here. Thanks again for showing me." He leaned in and kissed her.

[Froggy]

"This place really is beautiful."

Leilani smiled as Raiden looked around, pleased to see that it was worth his time to show it to him. It was better than saying goodbye alone, and she felt as though he deserved to see it too.

"I guess this is the place we first bended water."

Leilani smiled at him, surprised with his water bending. "Show off," Leilani teased, chuckling at him. "It took me months to learn how to freeze water," Leilani said, smirking and raising an eyebrow. She supposed that was one thing about being the Avatar though, as long as he focused hard enough most anything would come to him with relative ease.

"This place is even more special now that we shared an experience here. Thanks again for showing me."

Leilani's smile grew as he interlaced their fingers and kissed her. "It didn't feel right to not bring you," Leilani said, returning the kiss. "I'm glad you liked it," she said, turning towards the exit. Leilani smirked as she thought of her sister. "You do realize that Kaimana is going to want to help with the wedding, right?" she said, smirking lightly. "Maybe when we get closer to the date, you could send Sam to get her. Kaimana really looks up to her for some strange reason," Leilani said, smirking and shaking her head. Leilani only felt a minor trace of bitterness towards the airbender, and a bit more annoyance than possibly deserved. Mostly because of the teasing though.

[Ushima]

"Of course they can come early. It'll give the grandparents," At this he winked. "A chance to get to know eachother." He smiled at her. "Let's get going, if we let Sam wait any longer she'll think we're up to no good and we'll never hear the end of it." That threat was sure to get Leilani moving, the girl obviously did not like Sam's playful teasing. Together the two walked through the village, it was a slow walk, Raiden giving her more time to see it all again before they left.

"There you two are!" Sam greeted from the top of the ramp. "Let's move out."

"Right!" Raiden ordered, his face completely serious. "Tell the men to lift off and head home."

"Sir!" Zen saluted his commanding officer and ran off.

"I've taken the liberty of moving Leilani's things to your quarters." Sam informed them. "I'll go oversee the crew." Sam saluted Raiden and left.

"It's good to be going home for a couple days." Raiden sighed, flopping onto his back on his bed. He crossed his arms behind his head, every intention of taking a nap. He left enough room for Leilani to curl up beside him. "So tired." The last few days seemed to have caught up with him.

[Froggy]

"Of course they can come early. It'll give the grandparents, A chance to get to know eachother."

Leilani glared at Raiden as he said the word grandparents. "You must not want me to fight anymore," Leilani said, raising an eyebrow suspiciously at him. "You must want me to have a really, really big belly and be miserable and grumpy and in pain for nine months while you get to fight," Leilani said, half teasing half serious. She wasn't ready for that. She wanted to see what other talents she possessed. She was already toying around with the idea of underwater water bending, and she knew she wouldn't be able to do that if she had a baby to worry about.

"Let's get going, if we let Sam wait any longer she'll think we're up to no good and we'll never hear the end of it."

Leilani glared towards the airship, knowing that he was right. "You're gonna have to do something about that," Leilani said, leaning against him as they walked. She rested her head on his shoulder and looked from him, to the village around her. She was so tired, and her wounds still hurt.

"Let's move out."

Leilani frowned, taking one last look at her village. A few people came out from their huts and crowded together, waving goodbye. She smiled at them and waved, blowing Kaimana and her family a goodbye kiss. She would miss this place, every last person in it, and the place itself. She would miss it with the same desire Raiden held to return to his home.

"It's good to be going home for a couple days."

Leilani turned from the window and smiled at him, glad to see him happy. "It's good to see you so happy," Leilani said, her smile growing as she walked away from the window. She made her way over to the bed and curled up next to him, resting her head on his chest. She could hear his breathing and it soothed her, and made her sleepier.

"So tired."

"Me too," Leilani said, yawning lightly as she relaxed. She knew the past few days had been stressful for Raiden, and painful. She knew that he had to be just as tired and sore as she was. She leaned over and kissed him, with passion. "You are so many things and more to me," Leilani said, kissing him again. "My hero," again. "My Prince," again. "The best friend I could ever ask for," again. "And my love," Leilani said, wrapping her arms around him and giving him a longer, more passionate kiss. She wanted to let him know that she appreciated everything he had done for her.

The past few months had finally caught up with her, the more recent weeks too much for her weak body to handle. She rested her head on his chest and yawned again, falling asleep almost instantaneously. Little did she know she would be waking up a week later with Raiden, Sam, and Raiden's parents by her side.

[Ushima]

"And you are my world, my love. My princess soon to be a queen." Raiden kissed her. "And you're tired." He brushed the hair out of her face. He to was drifting off to sleep, the girl laying on his chest, he soft rythmic breathing was putting him to sleep faster. Soon though he was out and sleeping.

~

Raiden awoke hours later, Leilani still asleep on him. He thought nothing of it, figuring she was still just asleep. He kissed her lips ane gently pulled himself from her grasp. Getting out of bed he stretched, joints popping as he twisted. Leaving the room he went to the mess hall and grabbed a quick bite to eat. He had been sitting there for awhile, an hour. "Uh Raiden. We have a bit of a problem."

"What is it Sam?" Raiden sighed.

Sam didn't know how to say this so she figured being direct was probably the best option. "Leilani won't wake up."

"....What!?" Raiden shot up from his seat. "Where is she?"

"We've moved her to the infirmary." He didn't run, still tired, but he certainly set the record for fastest speed while walking. Entering the room he practically interrogated the doctor. The chief Doctor finally came out and explained to Raiden that his Fiancee was exhausted and unconscious to recover. "She'll be fine boss. Don't worry. The Pheonix Prince kept a vigil at her bedside the entire trip.

~

Once the ship arrived at the Palace the ramp lowered. Two men came out carrying a stretcher, Leilani on it. Raiden materialized after. His parents were at the bottom of the ramp. "Son, what's wrong?"

"No time!" Raiden spoke. "My wife-to-be is unconscious! To the infirmary!"

[Froggy]

Leilani dreamed of being in the middle of a large, open sea. She could see remnants of what appeared to be a ship of some sort, with parts of it on fire. She was having a deja vu feeling, as though something was familiar of this scenery. Then it changed. She was somewhere in the Earth Kingdom, possibly Omashu (she could tell based off of the decorations and the greenery), fighting. She was fighting a woman that was just a little taller and a little older than her, although it wasn't Sam. This woman was wearing fire nation clothing, and it was the woman she saw in the foggy swamp.

They were on the shores of a beach, and a ship was waiting behind Leilani. The next thing she knew, she was blasted back by a fireball. It was still difficult to get use to fire, and it threw her back several feet. Leilani stood up and stumbled, seeing this as her opportunity to escape. For some reason she knew Raiden would be furious, although she wasn't sure why. She was terrified and wondered what he would do.

She ran to the ship and the ship began to move at full speed, fleeing an advancing airship that appeared from nowhere. Leilani didn't know what to think of it, but upon closer examination she could see the woman in the window. The next thing she knew, a firey rock appeared out of the back of the airship and landed directly on top of their ship. That was the last thing she could remember of her dream, and she could feel a cold sweat on her body.

Leilani woke several hours later, her vision blurry at first. As her vision began to clear she could see changes in the scenery. She wasn't in Raiden's quarters anymore on the airship, that much she could see. Question was, where was she? She reached for her sword and realized it wasn't there.

It was still daytime outside and that confused Leilani. When she had fallen asleep just hours ago, it had been almost evening. How long had she been asleep? She looked around and saw a man and a woman sitting together on a bed next to hers, and Raiden and Sam on another bed. "Raiden?" she called, looking at the man and the woman.

They were old enough to be his parents. Leilani's eyes shot open in surprise and she blushed a deep shade of marroon. Suddenly she had a very clear idea as to where she was, and it made her nervous. "Well. This is embarrassing," Leilani said, looking up and forcing herself to smile. She decided it was best to be formal at this point and bowed her head in respect to his parents. She would have bowed at her waist but that would have been difficult to do as she was in bed. "I apologize for keeping you waiting, I am not sure what came over me," Leilani said, looking at Raiden questioningly now as though expecting him to have the answers. The last thing she remembered was leaving the village and falling asleep by his side on the airship. She really, really hoped she hadn't been out that long.

[Ushima]

"So son." Astral crossed his arms. "Mind telling us who this is?"

"Sam mentioned you had a surprise in her letter." Zara spoke. "What exactly is going on?"

Sam wa shaking, wanting desperately to tell them the news. But she held back for Raiden's sake and her health. "Mom. Dad. Over that last couple weeks I..." How to tell this, he had no clue. How do you go from not pursuing a romantic relationship with anyone to suddenly getting engaged. "I fell in love with this girl." His parent's eyes widened, not that he noticed, his back was to them. "I've asked her hand in marriage and she's accepted."

"Isn't it great!?" Sam finally let the dam burst. "They are so cute together!"

"This is a big step son." Zara finally spoke. "At first you wanted nothing to do with girls, aI assumed they weren't to your...liking." Raiden's eye twitched at the implication.

"To be honest Zara." Sam spoke for Raiden. "Those girls you introduced him to weren't right for him. Raiden needs a girl that can go into battle with him, not one that'd stay back and file her nails. Leilani is a strong bender, a warrior like Raiden. Look at her! You can tell!"

Astral looked over the girl, her facial scar catching his attention. He was about to say something to Raiden about the blemish when he noticed the matching scar on his son. Raiden was known to proudly display his scars, he honestly didn't think it'd take this long for him to get one on his face. If his son could wear his scars proudly, why couldn't she? It proved she could take hits and keep going. "I approve."

"Astral?" Zara gasped. "Are you sure?"

"If Raiden truly loves her then there is no doubt in my mind. He's a good judge of character, and a better judge of combat prowess. If he thinks Leilani will make a good wife and Queen, then who am I to deny him." Astral put a hand onto his son's shoulder. "Congradulations." Astral hugged his son.

Raiden returned the hug before moving to Zara. "Mother?"

"I just." Her eyes were watering. "*Sniff* Can't believe you're getting married soon." she wrapped her arms tightly around her eldest son. "It's as if just yesterday you were a little boy."

"Ok." Raiden broke from his mother's hug. "No need for a notstalgia trip."

Well. This is embarrassing."

All heads snapped to Leilani.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, I am not sure what came over me."

Raiden was in the bed and hugging her instantly and kissing her. "Relax son, let the poor dear have some air or else she might faint again."

Zara giggled. "Listen to your father Raiden."

Raiden pulled away. "Are you alright? You were unconscious for five days. The doctors said you were just exhausted but I was still worried."

[Froggy]

"Are you alright? You were unconscious for five days. The doctors said you were just exhausted but I was still worried."

"Five days?" Leilani gasped, looking at him with shock. That explained why she felt so well rested, and why she was suddenly so full of energy. "I'm alright...I was just so...tired," Leilani said, frowning as Raiden said he was worried. "I'm sorry I worried you," Leilani said, returning his hug. She blushed as he kissed her, and looked at him as though to say 'in front of your parents?' She got out of bed and stood, glad to be back to normal health again. She hadn't felt this good in months.

She bowed at the waist now. "Lord Astral, Queen Zara. It is an honor to meet you. My name is Leilani and I am in love with your son. He has asked for my hand in marraige, and I accepted. It would be an honor to have your support and blessings for our love," Leilani said, smiling nervously at his parents. They seemed nice, but she was still nervous.

She had been dreading this moment from the first time he mentioned bringing her home, and now that it had finally come she wasn't sure she was ready. She just hoped they would approve.

[Ushima]

"Oh she's quite polite." Zara smiled.

"Indeed." Astral stood up, looking toward Leilani and Raiden. His son was now standing next to the girl, holding her hand. "You two," Astral looked to his wife who just smiled at him. "Have our blessing. We wish you the best."

Sam just smiled at Leilani. A look of 'I told you so.' Raiden's hand snake around Leilani's waist and he held her. "You're right Sam they do look cute together." Zara commented on the way her son held Leilani. He was gentle, loving, very unlike the boy she knew who had been a cold hardened warrior. "Now lets leave these two alone." Zara took her husband's hand. "She must be hungry though, Raiden take Leilani to the kitchen. You yourself could probably use something."

"Yes mother." Raiden noticed how hungry he was, he had hardly eaten anything while he watched Leilani. "Told you they'd approve." Raiden whispered in her ear and gave her a soft kiss.

[Froggy]

"Have our blessing. We wish you the best."

Leilani smiled at Lord Astral, pleased with their approval. "Thank you," Leilani said, feeling as though a large weight had been lifted off her chest. She smiled at Raiden, glad that she no longer had to worry. Sam had a smug look on her face and Leilani simply shrugged. Could she really blame her for worrying?

"You're right Sam they do look cute together."

Leilani blushed at his mother's comment, and smiled at Raiden as he held her. She leaned her head against his shoulder, glad that everything was as it should be. She snaked her own arm around his waist, smiling up at Raiden. Now she knew how he felt meeting her parents.

"She must be hungry though, Raiden take Leilani to the kitchen. You yourself could probably use something."

Leilani's stomach let out a low growl and she blushed with embarrassment, frowning. She could see that Raiden was hungry too, so that made her feel a little better.

"Told you they'd approve."

"You can't blame me for worrying," Leilani whispered back, returning the kiss. Leilani turned to his parents and smiled at them. "It was an honor meeting you, thank you for your blessings," she said, bowing once more. She stood up and kissed Raiden's cheek, glad to feel at ease again. Hopefully she could enjoy the rest of her stay without worry at the Palace, and get to know the place a little before they left again.

[Ushima]

Once the room was clear Raiden took Leilani's lips with his own. It had been to long. "Why do you always make me worry love?" Though she probably couldn't blame him, it showed how much he cared for her. "Now enough, I fear if I continue to kiss you I'd take you right here in this bed." Raiden took her hand and led her out of the room. "Hope you're hungry, the cooks are masters in their craft."

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed servant girls whispering to each other. He pulled her closer. "Ah Lord Raiden!" The head cook and his workers bowed to Raiden. "I heard you had returned."

"Ira. Nice to see you again." Raiden greeted. "Me and my Fiancee are a tad bit hungry. Think you can help us out?"

"Ah congradulations on your egagement. I promise to make the best food on the day you two decide to wed." The other cooks also gave their congrats. They liked Raiden and respected him, because Raiden was nice and treated them with respect. "But for now, here." Ira tossed Raiden an apple and he bit into, it tasted sweet. "There's more." Ira gestured to one of the tables. "Take your pick."

"Thanks." Raiden took another bite.

[Froggy]

"Why do you always make me worry love?"

Leilani frowned, feeling guilty for his worry. "I'm sorry," she said, returning his kiss. She interlaced their fingers and smiled at him. "Hopefully neither of us will have to worry for a while," Leilani said, smiling still. She felt well rested and more relaxed than she had felt since the so called raiders began attacking their village six months ago. She was happy, free (for now she could say that, thanks to Raiden saving her so many times), safe, and at peace with where she was at.

"Now enough, I fear if I continue to kiss you I'd take you right here in this bed."

Leilani blushed at Raiden's words. She could just imagine who would walk in on them, and that was possibly more embarrassing than Sam walking in on them.

"Hope you're hungry, the cooks are masters in their craft."

Leilani smiled as her stomach growled. "I can't wait," Leilani said. She'd never had fire nation food before, minus the stew from the night at the outpost, but she'd always heard it was delicious. She leaned against him as they walked, resting her head on his shoulders. She noticed servant girls whispering about them, and raised an eyebrow as Raiden pulled her closer.

"Me and my Fiancee are a tad bit hungry. Think you can help us out?"

Leilani smiled at the cooks, and eyed the apples on the tables. It had been so long since she'd had an apple, she could hardly remember the last time. When living in the South Pole, so far away from civilization, by the time any fruits got to them they were rotten. So her tribe had stopped requesting fruits, and it had been since her last travels that she had eaten an apple. "Thank you," Leilani said to the cooks, taking an apple from the table and biting it. She looked around the kitchen, taking in everything.

The large countertops that made her kitchen back home seem small, the many stoves laid purposefully throughout the kitchen, the sinks, and she couldn't help but think this was one master kitchen. Her mother would be honored to just come work at this kitchen and use all the appliances.

She looked at the sitting area and noticed photographs on the wall. She smiled and walked over to them, looking at them. She could see Raiden, Astral, Zara, and Raiden's siblings in them in various settings. She saw a picture of Raiden when he was in his early teens and supressed a shiver at the darkness on his face. Then, she could see the pictures as he got older, and his features seemed to darken. She frowned at his hardened features in the photographs, wishing that she could go back and make him happy. But he was happy now, and that was what counted.

Then she looked at another, more recent photograph. Something caught her eye, and her face darkened. "Raiden," she called, looking at a woman in the photograph. She was the woman she had seen in the foggy swamp, the woman from her nightmare."Who's this?" she turned and looked at him, still frowning. She was getting that deja vu feeling again.

[Ushima]

"Raiden, who's this?"

Raiden took another loud bite out of his apple. "Excuse me Ira." Ira nodded to the prince. Raiden walked over to Leilani and leaned in, looking at the picture carefully. Raiden's face twisted into a sour exspression. "That's Azula. My sister." Raiden didn't bother trying to hide the venom in his voice, he doubted even he, could hide the distaste he had for his traitor of a sister. "I'll find her. And when I do I'll drag her back to face justice for her crimes."

"Raiden!" The sound of feet sprinting through the room fortunately distracted him from the dark thoughts he had, he was mentally planning his sister's capture and excecution. Raiden shook his head, he knew better than to get ahead of himself. "I missed you!" A little girl threw herself at Raiden.

"Sara!" Raiden picked up the eight year old and spun her around. "Oh I haven't been gone that long." He held the girl in his arms and turned toward Leilani. "Sara, this is Leilani. She's gonna be your new sister soon."

"Like Sam?" Sara asked.

"Kind of like that. Only me and Leilani are getting married." Sara cheered. "Yep! Go give her a hug." Raiden put the girl down, who then attached herself to Leilani's leg. Raiden just smiled as Sara easily accepted Leilani into the family. "Heh don't get used to it, she's the easy one to get along with."

[Froggy]

"That's Azula. My sister."

Leilani's face paled at his words. She had seen his sister in the foggy swamp? She'd had a vision about his sister? She could hear the venom in his voice and shivered lightly, and made a mental note to not go after this woman alone like she did in her vision. "We need to talk later," Leilani said, knowing it best to tell Raiden about the strange things she had seen in the swamp and her vision. Just not in front of a room full of cooks.

Leilani jumped lightly as someone called Raiden's name, but chuckled when a little girl came in and threw her arms around Raiden. Leilani had to admit she was cute, and smiled as Raiden spun her around. So this was why he was so good with Kaimana.

"Hi Sara!" Leilani said as Raiden introduced her, still holding the little girl. She had just as much energy and spirit as her own sister, and the thought made her smile at the little girl. Especially when Sara came over and hugged her leg, Leilani looked up at Raiden and grinned. Leilani bent down to Sara's eye level and patted her head. "So Sara, how do you feel about bedtime stories?" Leilani asked, smiling. She couldn't wait to get back to telling bedtime stories.

"Heh don't get used to it, she's the easy one to get along with."

"That's okay," Leilani said, ruffling Sara's hair and dodging a poke. "As long as the others like me then it's okay," Leilani said, smiling down at Sara as she went by Raiden's side. She knew of one of his siblings that would not like her, and the thought made her shiver as she looked at the picture again.

[Ushima]

"I love stories!" Sara giggled.

"Sara." The little girl turned her attention to her older brother. "Where are the others?"

"Sakura and Sasuke are at the practice field with Yoshi and Kamina." Sara answered. A sly grin broke out onto Raiden's face. "Uh oh."

"Well let's pay my dear brothers and sister a visit shall we?" Raiden quickly led the others through the halls of the palace, soon reaching the training field. Raiden could see Sakura and Sasuke teaming up against Yoshi and Kamina. Raiden's grin grew. He quickly stripped off his shirt, sprinting forward. Sara held onto Leilani's hand as she watched her siblings. "RAH!" Raiden jumped between the group, blaating fire.

"Hey!" He didn't know who said that. "You better watch yourself bro! We've been training real hard!"

"Is that right?" Raiden turned to look at the four. They looked a little nervous, even four on one would be difficult. "Bring it on then." Blasts of fire shot out as Raiden engaged them. The thing about firebending is that it's best in close range hand to hand fighting. As they would punch or kick they'd blast fire aswell, the combatants would creat a deadly circle of flame. Raiden grabbed Sakura's arm, catching her punch, and pulled her infront of Yoshi's kick. The kick caught her in the head and she went down. Raiden sidestepped a jet of flame that cut off Kamina's attack leaving Raiden room to attack Sasuke.

People had gathered to watch the battle, something like this was common. Though the only one missing from this show was Azula, who would often get angered that Raiden would win the five on one then demand her brother for a rematch. They watched as Raiden delivered a headbutt to Sasuke, knocking the boy onto his rear, rubbing his sore forehead. Raiden blocked the roundhouse kick from Yoshi and held onto his leg. Using his other hand he grabbed the boy's shirt and lifted him up before slamming him back to the ground. Kamina was the last one, now charging his older brother. Raiden ducked below a punch, pulling his right arm back. His palm was wide open and sparking. "Thunder Palm!" Raiden called out his attack, stricking his brother in the chest. The younger boy went down.

People applauded the prince's performance. His sibblings lay on the ground groaning in pain as they tried to get up. "Agni that hurt!" Sakura whinned.

"Oh suck it up." Raiden spoke.

"Welcome home asshole." Sasuke said, only because he was mad that the first thing Raiden does when he see's his siblings again is fight them.

[Froggy]

"I love stories!"

Leilani grinned at Sara. "I'll tell you one tonight," Leilani said, chuckling at the little girl. She was already forming ideas as to what story she would tell Sara, and grinned as an idea came into mind. She hoped the girl could handle scary stories, she had plenty of those.

"Well let's pay my dear brothers and sister a visit shall we?"

Leilani raised an eyebrow at the grin on his face, and she jabbed his arm lightly. "Be nice," she said, having a not-so-good feeling about his grin. She was nervous about meeting the rest of his family, especially when they walked out and she saw the firebenders training.

Leilani picked Sara up as Raiden jumped into the fighting, screaming at his siblings. "I can't wait until he starts training me," Leilani said, rolling her eyes in sarcasm and grinning. Sara giggled at her, and Leilani smiled at the young girl. The two turned to watch the training. Four against one would be difficult, but Leilani had seen Raiden take out an entire army of slave traders before, even going so far as to blow up their ship. She felt sorry for his siblings as she watched Raiden defeat them one by one, and flinched as one got a fireball to the head.

"Welcome home asshole."

Leilani frowned and set Sara down, stepping forward by Raiden's side. "Raiden that wasn't right," Leilani said, tossing him a hard look. She could see the look of anger on his sibling's face and frowned lightly at him. "I know you're you, but do you really have to fight your siblings before you even say hi?" Leilani asked, raising an eyebrow and shaking her head at Raiden.

[Ushima]

Raiden helped up Kamina. "You guys got better." He decided to ignore Leilani's comment. This is how their family worked, she'll learn over time the ins and outs of the royal family.

"We missed you." Sakura gave her brother a hug. Soon the others joined them.

"At least he didn't go avatar on us. Sasuke said as they broke up the hug. "So what's this we hear from mom and dad about you getting married?"

"I's true. I am. Leilani I want you to meet Sakura, Sasuke, Yoshi and Kamina." He pointed to each one as he said their names. "Guys, this is Leilani. My wife-to-be."

[Froggy]

"You guys got better."

Leilani smiled and nodded her head at his comment on their improvement. At least he did compliment that much, even if he did beat them up in the process. She watched them interact and smiled, noting how different their relationship was compared to hers and Kaimana's.

"I's true. I am. Leilani I want you to meet Sakura, Sasuke, Yoshi and Kamina."

Leilani smiled at his siblings as he introduced them. "It's nice to finally meet you," Leilani said, grinning. Raiden had been talking constantly about having to deal with five younger siblings, so she couldn't wait to actually get to know them. "That was some impressive bending," Leilani said, still smiling. She could see how much they cared about each other and it made her miss home a little, but she quickly pushed those thoughts out of her mind.

Instead she wrapped her arm aroud his waist as he said the words 'wife-to-be'. She knew he couldn't use that word enough, and the thought made her smile up at him.

[Ushima]

"You leave home to go to war and come home with a bride." Sasuke grinned. "I wish I had your luck."

"You'll need all the luck you can get to get a girl to fall for you." Sakura teased her older twin.

"Hey be nice." Raiden's arm moved around Leilani's shoulder. "If you knew the things I had to go through before I even asked this beauty to marry me, you would think twice about wanting my luck."

"Aw but your life is so awesome!" Yoshi said, stars in his eyes.

"We have more important things to deal with than gushing over Raiden's life." Sakura scolded. Turning toward Leilani and smiled. "Nice to see someone can reel in this powerhouse and take him down a few pegs. I bet you have him wrapped around your finger in a month."

"Daisuke's here!" Sara called out.

"My Lords, Ladies." Daisuke bowed. "The academy graduated have arrived and are in the courtyard being addressed by your father."

"And you bring this information to us why?" Raiden asked.

"You always take first selection. I know you like to keep the troop rotation fresh." Daisuke explained.

"Hm good point. Let's go check out the prospects. See if any are worthy of serving the Pheonix Prince." Raiden led the group to the courtyard, they stood behind Astral on top of the stairs as he adressed the group.

"Today you take the first step in serving the Fire Nation. May your flames burn bright and eternal! Long live the Fire Nation!"

"Long live the Fire Nation!" The six Pheonix children also shouted that, showing pride in their homeland.

[Froggy]

"If you knew the things I had to go through before I even asked this beauty to marry me, you would think twice about wanting my luck."

Leilani blushed at his comment, feeling a little guilty. "It's true," Leilani said, hugging him tightly to show her appreciation. "Maybe I'll tell you guys about it soon," Leilani said, winking at Sara who giggled, knowing a good bedtime story was only a few hours away.

"Nice to see someone can reel in this powerhouse and take him down a few pegs. I bet you have him wrapped around your finger in a month."

Leilani had to laugh at this, and shook her head. "Not quiet I'm afraid. Raiden's promised to start my training soon," Leilani said, looking at Raiden spitefully. "I can't wait for that," she said sarcastically, tossing him a hard look. She looked at the so called training grounds that looked like an obstacle course of doom and shivered.

"Hm good point. Let's go check out the prospects. See if any are worthy of serving the Pheonix Prince."

"I don't think anybody could take out that ego," Leilani told Sakura, chuckling a little as she winked at Raiden. At least she was getting along with his siblings, even if she was quickly being introduced to the Military lifestyle, which she found rather awkward. She smiled at Daisuke as he arrived and her thoughts went back to the battle with Codak, remembering how he had literally saved her life.

Leilani stayed behind Raiden as their father addressed the academy graduates, feeling rather awkward. Raiden would have to explain military life to her a little more now that she was officially in his homeland.

~~~~~~
"Today you take the first step in serving the Fire Nation. May your flames burn bright and eternal! Long live the Fire Nation!"

"Long live the Fire Nation!" Azumi shouted, along with her other graduates as they bowed to the Royal Family. Her face, for the most part, was stoic as she stood back up, although she could not help the pride and joy from showing. She had spent a year in that bloody academy and learned everything that could possibly be learned, and now the time had come to prove it.

She was curious as the Pheonix children came, especially the Fire Prince himself, along with some woman she had never seen before. She was wondering exactly what was going on, although kept her attention focused on Lord Astral as he spoke.

[Ushima]

"What do you think Raiden?" Astral turned to his son. "Anything promising?"

"We won't know until they've done their demonstrations. Until then," Raiden crossed his arms. "They're just regular academy graduates." Raiden hated the academy. The academy was actually two different places, one was a all boys facility, the others and all girl facility. They spent their time learning basics any child could learn in a regular classroom. Also any child capable of Fire Bending started learning the basics. Luckily he had been pulled from the academy early and received tutoring at the palace.

"Yes I know you hated your breif period at the Academy Raiden, get that look off your face." Raiden's expression was a sour one as his mind was flooded with boring memories of falling asleep in class and fighting during recees, ok that last one didn't seem to bad for him, that was the only good thing about it. "Now let the demonstrations begin!" It was so the graduated could be placed into divions that could use their skills.

[Froggy]

"They're just regular academy graduates."

Azumi fought back a scowl that was threatening her expression. She also resisted glaring at the Prince with the daggers in her eyes that were wanting to come out, but she maintained her stoic expression. She would show him, prove that she was worthy of serving. She had worked far too hard for this to be seen as regular, and she intended to prove her skills.

"Now let the demonstrations begin!"

Azumi smiled in anticipation as she was separated into her group, wondering what they had planned for the graduates. Azumi watched the COs, waiting for their instructions.

~~~~~~
Leilani and his siblings took seats at the top of the stairs, watching the process. Leilani would occasionally ask a question to one of his siblings, about why they did things a certain way, but for the most part she just observed how Raiden worked with the graduates.

[Ushima]

Raiden descended the stairs slowly, eyeing each graduate. "Lord Raiden!" Everyone saluted the Prince.

"At ease." Raiden spoke. "I would like to congradulate you on finally getting out of the horrid place." Astral facepalmed. "But now you're in the real world, things will be much harder. You will now be called forward, one by one, and display your skills so we know where to place you." The heavily scarred prince took his place on the sidelines to watch the display. "Would anyone like to go first?" He asked. He didn't care who went, he wasn't really interested in this display. It showed on his face, what he really wanted was to be by Leilani's side and not waste his time here.

[Froggy]

"I would like to congradulate you on finally getting out of the horrid place. But now you're in the real world, things will be much harder. You will now be called forward, one by one, and display your skills so we know where to place you."

Azumi couldn't help the smile that broke her lips. So this was why he called them regular graduates. He himself despised the academy. Her smile quickly evaporated as he announced they would be called forth one by one to display their skills. 'Don't let your nerves get to you,' Azumi thought to herself, forcing her expressions to remain stoic as she hid her anxiety. She had worked too hard to choke on possibly the most important day in her early military career.

"Would anyone like to go first?"

Azumi side glanced and noticed that nobody was volunteering. 'Welp, might as well be me,' she thought to herself, stepping forward and saluting. "Sir yes sir!" she shouted, waiting her instructions. It was clear she was nervous, she felt as though she had volunteered herself for an Agni Kai with the Prince himself.

[Ushima]

"Sir yes sir!"

"Wow didn't think someone had the balls to actually volunteer." Raiden took his seat amongst the Generals.

"She graduated the top of her class at the Female Fire Nation Academy, my lord." A General to his left informed him.

"Is that right?" Raiden quirked an eyebrow. "Impressive." It really was, as they got older the material became harder and harder. "Now then, let's see what you got. Give us a display, don't hold anything back, let your fire burn! Begin!!"

[Froggy]

"Now then, let's see what you got. Give us a display, don't hold anything back, let your fire burn! Begin!!"

Azumi looked at her surroundings, pulling back everything she had learned from the academy. She had every intention of letting her fire burn as she faced imaginary foes, blasting fire daggers in every direction (safely of course), defeating imaginary enemy after enemy. She took out her broadswords and used one of them as a ledge to jump over, avoiding an attack from an invisible foe, and she pushed herself up onto a column and held herself there with one hand.

She lunged with her broadswords out and did a flip in the air, avoiding an invisible blade by an inch as she summoned enough chi to blast her blue fire attack at her foes. When she landed, she had successfully accomplished a flip and three spins, and her feet were centered and her broadswords out, having defeated two imaginary opponents with her broadswords.

Finally she centered herself, and her hands began to glow blue. She was beginning to sweat, just the slightest, and mentally she could imagine a sea of enemies surrounding her. Her blades lit an eerie blue color, and extended to form fire tentacles out of her broadswords, doubling their size. This was a new bending tactic she had been working on, and figured now would be as good of time as any to try it. She worked on controlling the broadswords and the fire, aiming it in circular movements at her opponents. Her last 'opponent' stood against the column, and she held the tips of her broadswords together, before pulling them back and slinging them forward, a blue fireball leaving her swordtips. It made contact with the column and left it black.

Azumi blushed at the damage she had done to the column. "Oops?" she said, still blushing as she tried to regain control of her breathing, her vision starting to blur a little from exhaustion.