Post by Teяa253 on Dec 28, 2008 5:47:37 GMT 1
more bonding and all that jazz. yep chapter 57 is another bonding chapter.
don't worry though those of you who like action, for ther is hope. action will be served in 58 and 59 most likely.
until then, enjoy.
CHAPTER 57: SHE WAS HAPPY AGAIN
Naturally, the Four Benders were not surprised to find that Zakura had put a lot of distance between her and the others. She was on one of the 2nd floor bedrooms, whilst the other had been in the 1st floor main lounge. They figured that this was something serious.
Alzar paused just outside one of the doors. She crouched down and put her hand on the door.
“She’s in here,” she whispered, raising her eyebrows, “whatever Tenoko said must have hit her hard.”
“We can’t blame Tenoko for it though,” Aiku remarked, “how was she supposed to know that that would affect Zakura that much? In fact, why DOES it affect her that way?”
“I’m not sure about you all,” said Alzar, gently pushing the door open, “but I’m going to find out.”
Alzar slipped in and sensed Zakura sitting on the bed, her head hanging and her arms crossed. Zakura sensed Alzar’s presence.
“What do you want,” she asked, and she clearly sounded upset;
“Zak,” said Alzar, “remember who we are.”
Zakura did not respond to this, so Alzar continued.
“I just came in to find out what’s wrong,” she said, “the others are just outside the door.”
Zakura stood up. “What others,” she snapped. There was clearly something else that was annoying her;
“Shin, Ike, and Zinj, of course,” Alzar replied, “what; did you really think I’d drag everyone here to see you? No, it was just a consensus between us four.” She paused and turned to the door. “Get in here, you three.”
Aiku, Shinon, and Zinjamyn stepped in.
“Zakura,” said Zinjamyn in his usual calm tone, “tell us what’s wrong.”
“It’s the same thing that’s ‘wrong’ every time I get upset,” Zakura replied, punching her palm, “it’s about my past, and the fact that I hate it.”
“That was something we always found interesting about you,” said Shinon with a hint of enigma, “you would always avoid talking about that subject at all costs. We respected that, but after Alz sensed such a dramatic change of emotions that suddenly, it just brings us to wonder: what was it about? Why does it do this to you?”
“That’s none of your business,” Zakura replied stiffly,
“Zak,” said Alzar, who was most likely the most stubborn of the four, “if we’ve respected you for this long, what makes you think we’re suddenly turning on you now? We want to help you, Zak. Swallow whatever it is that’s holding you back and tell us what’s wrong.”
Zakura made a sudden grasping movement towards Alzar’s throat, but she jumped out of the way.
“It’s that fact that my own flesh and blood has made me out to be a monster,” Zakura replied stiffly, “they know by now who I am—what I have become—I am the nemesis of their organization. King Zhang and Queen Zao Lin are my parents, and they want me dead.”
“Don’t take your anger out on us though, Zak,” Aiku warned, “like Alzar said: we’re only here to help you.”
“How did you behave when you were around your parents,” Shinon asked, for he, like the other three, was curious as to what Zakura’s past was like; “I mean: there’s so much about you that we never thought we should ask about; and yet to see you like this...”
“It makes us sad, Zak,” said Zinjamyn, “you honestly mean a lot more to us than even we were aware of. We don’t want to see the woman we spent so many years bonding with and teaching stress herself out like this. We want to help, Zakura.”
Zakura said nothing.
“Have you ever talked to anyone about this,” Shinon asked, “this sounds like this is some sort of mental weakness or something.”
“Aye,” Zakura replied, “that’s what it is. It was in a trip to the spirit world that I learned that. Avatar Lahka told me it was my weakness.”
“I see,” said Aiku, moving Zakura’s hat to behind her back and running his fingers through her hair. Unlike that of her family (though this was likely because of how she treated herself) Zakura’s hair was coarse and scraggly like Katara II’s. If Zakura were in a happier mood, Aiku would have made a remark about Zakura being short, but he figured that this was not the right time for it.
“It’s my own family,” said Zakura, “and that’s what makes me so... so angry; so confused. Why did it have to be them? What insanity could drive them to hate their own child like that?”
“How did you behave when you were with them,” Alzar asked,
“It was actually back in a time when I was generally obedient,” Zakura replied, “the only reason they really got after me was because I was an earthbender. I never really gave them a reason to hate me, unless bending is a legitimate reason.”
The 4 Benders took Zakura’s word for it, and she was in fact being truthful. It was just the hatred that The Order of the Avatar Slayer had towards the Avatar Guard and the avatar himself (though that ‘himself’ became ‘herself’ once Lahka died) that made them hate Zakura. Surprisingly, this was before they knew she was the avatar. If they had known while she still lived with them, they would have ended her life then and there. Zakura didn’t even find out she was the avatar until shortly after her 16th birthday.
“It makes me mad,” said Zakura again, “to think that I’m the cause of all this war; and not even for anything I’ve done. It’s because of the mere fact that I exist; that I’m the avatar.”
“Exactly,” said Alzar, “you’re the avatar. And you don’t seem to have any weaknesses in that department. If you do it’s our flaws in our teaching methods. We wanted to make sure you were the best. That was why we dedicated our lives to making sure you turned out well.”
“I still don’t understand why you would do that,” said Zakura, “I mean: there I was; just an everyday earth kingdom girl; and then I get thrown into a world where they say “you’re the next avatar” and it turns my life around. Then you four appear and befriend me for no reason. I never fully understood it. Why did you do what you did?”
“Because even I could see what you were like deep down,” Alzar replied, smiling, “you needed a friend, Zakura. We figured we could also help with that while we taught you the elements.”
“But why,” Zakura asked, “why did you continue to put up with my crap and lack of respect? Why did you decide to dedicate your lives to me learning your skills?”
“Because we wanted to be able to look one day and say “we taught Zakura Ishiko; the greatest avatar to ever live.” Shinon replied, “She was not just a learner, but she was also like a sister to us.”
“Face it, Zak-Zak,” said Zinjamyn, “you’re part of us now.”
“You know what,” said Zakura, “I think I’m going to hit you for that.”
However, Zinjamyn was able to bend back and avoid Zakura’s uppercut, and when people dodged it, Zakura let up. She only tried it once before doing it again. She’d wait a while before her next strike.
“You know what,” said Zakura, smiling, “I think you’re right in more ways than one. I don’t think I’d be able to manage very well without you four here for me. I want to be able to look back and say “you know The Legendary Four Benders? They were my teachers”.” She paused for a moments before she continued.
“They were also my family,” she said, opening her arms and bringing the four of them in an embrace, “and I love them.”
Alzar, Shinon, Aiku, and Zinjamyn all smiled upon seeing the happiness return to Zakura’s emotions
“Then we have succeeded,” said Aiku, “remember Zakura: if there’s anything that troubles you—anything at all, no matter how ridiculous it may sound; just come fine us. We’re here for you, no matter what the circumstances are. Always remember that, Zakura, and you’ll be alright. You’re not going to lose this war; you have friends everywhere that are willing to die for the freedom of this world, and for your survival.”
“Thank you,” said Zakura, her eyes watering only slightly (for neither Alzar, Shinon, Zinjamyn, nor Aiku thought they should mention this, as they were not in the mood for a dislocated jaw at the current time);
The next morning was another typical day, with the exception of Cheng encountering Zakura when she was alone.
“What do ya need,” Zakura asked, chuckling, “an extra set of clothes for Taki because you took them off and lost them?”
“Um, no;” Cheng replied, “I was just going to ask you something.”
“Well,” said Zakura shrugging, “fire away.”
“What’s the prettiest place you’ve ever been?” he asked,
“Ah,” she said, “taking your girl out somewhere special, I wager?”
“Aye,” Cheng replied, by now knowing that telling Zakura the truth was the best way to get her off your back, “and I figured since you’ve already done so much for us that another favor wouldn’t hurt, right?”
“Sounds logical,” Zakura replied, “as for the place, take her west just across the river from the village west of Fengtai. You might have to take back roads to avoid The Order, but trust me, it’s worth it.”
“Alright then,” said Cheng, smiling, “thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Zakura replied, smiling back as Cheng left, presumably to tell Taki. Normally she might have made something up, but she was in a much better mood, and this lifted the spirits of most of the base. They were all glad that She Was Happy Again.”
~Azula~
don't worry though those of you who like action, for ther is hope. action will be served in 58 and 59 most likely.
until then, enjoy.
CHAPTER 57: SHE WAS HAPPY AGAIN
Naturally, the Four Benders were not surprised to find that Zakura had put a lot of distance between her and the others. She was on one of the 2nd floor bedrooms, whilst the other had been in the 1st floor main lounge. They figured that this was something serious.
Alzar paused just outside one of the doors. She crouched down and put her hand on the door.
“She’s in here,” she whispered, raising her eyebrows, “whatever Tenoko said must have hit her hard.”
“We can’t blame Tenoko for it though,” Aiku remarked, “how was she supposed to know that that would affect Zakura that much? In fact, why DOES it affect her that way?”
“I’m not sure about you all,” said Alzar, gently pushing the door open, “but I’m going to find out.”
Alzar slipped in and sensed Zakura sitting on the bed, her head hanging and her arms crossed. Zakura sensed Alzar’s presence.
“What do you want,” she asked, and she clearly sounded upset;
“Zak,” said Alzar, “remember who we are.”
Zakura did not respond to this, so Alzar continued.
“I just came in to find out what’s wrong,” she said, “the others are just outside the door.”
Zakura stood up. “What others,” she snapped. There was clearly something else that was annoying her;
“Shin, Ike, and Zinj, of course,” Alzar replied, “what; did you really think I’d drag everyone here to see you? No, it was just a consensus between us four.” She paused and turned to the door. “Get in here, you three.”
Aiku, Shinon, and Zinjamyn stepped in.
“Zakura,” said Zinjamyn in his usual calm tone, “tell us what’s wrong.”
“It’s the same thing that’s ‘wrong’ every time I get upset,” Zakura replied, punching her palm, “it’s about my past, and the fact that I hate it.”
“That was something we always found interesting about you,” said Shinon with a hint of enigma, “you would always avoid talking about that subject at all costs. We respected that, but after Alz sensed such a dramatic change of emotions that suddenly, it just brings us to wonder: what was it about? Why does it do this to you?”
“That’s none of your business,” Zakura replied stiffly,
“Zak,” said Alzar, who was most likely the most stubborn of the four, “if we’ve respected you for this long, what makes you think we’re suddenly turning on you now? We want to help you, Zak. Swallow whatever it is that’s holding you back and tell us what’s wrong.”
Zakura made a sudden grasping movement towards Alzar’s throat, but she jumped out of the way.
“It’s that fact that my own flesh and blood has made me out to be a monster,” Zakura replied stiffly, “they know by now who I am—what I have become—I am the nemesis of their organization. King Zhang and Queen Zao Lin are my parents, and they want me dead.”
“Don’t take your anger out on us though, Zak,” Aiku warned, “like Alzar said: we’re only here to help you.”
“How did you behave when you were around your parents,” Shinon asked, for he, like the other three, was curious as to what Zakura’s past was like; “I mean: there’s so much about you that we never thought we should ask about; and yet to see you like this...”
“It makes us sad, Zak,” said Zinjamyn, “you honestly mean a lot more to us than even we were aware of. We don’t want to see the woman we spent so many years bonding with and teaching stress herself out like this. We want to help, Zakura.”
Zakura said nothing.
“Have you ever talked to anyone about this,” Shinon asked, “this sounds like this is some sort of mental weakness or something.”
“Aye,” Zakura replied, “that’s what it is. It was in a trip to the spirit world that I learned that. Avatar Lahka told me it was my weakness.”
“I see,” said Aiku, moving Zakura’s hat to behind her back and running his fingers through her hair. Unlike that of her family (though this was likely because of how she treated herself) Zakura’s hair was coarse and scraggly like Katara II’s. If Zakura were in a happier mood, Aiku would have made a remark about Zakura being short, but he figured that this was not the right time for it.
“It’s my own family,” said Zakura, “and that’s what makes me so... so angry; so confused. Why did it have to be them? What insanity could drive them to hate their own child like that?”
“How did you behave when you were with them,” Alzar asked,
“It was actually back in a time when I was generally obedient,” Zakura replied, “the only reason they really got after me was because I was an earthbender. I never really gave them a reason to hate me, unless bending is a legitimate reason.”
The 4 Benders took Zakura’s word for it, and she was in fact being truthful. It was just the hatred that The Order of the Avatar Slayer had towards the Avatar Guard and the avatar himself (though that ‘himself’ became ‘herself’ once Lahka died) that made them hate Zakura. Surprisingly, this was before they knew she was the avatar. If they had known while she still lived with them, they would have ended her life then and there. Zakura didn’t even find out she was the avatar until shortly after her 16th birthday.
“It makes me mad,” said Zakura again, “to think that I’m the cause of all this war; and not even for anything I’ve done. It’s because of the mere fact that I exist; that I’m the avatar.”
“Exactly,” said Alzar, “you’re the avatar. And you don’t seem to have any weaknesses in that department. If you do it’s our flaws in our teaching methods. We wanted to make sure you were the best. That was why we dedicated our lives to making sure you turned out well.”
“I still don’t understand why you would do that,” said Zakura, “I mean: there I was; just an everyday earth kingdom girl; and then I get thrown into a world where they say “you’re the next avatar” and it turns my life around. Then you four appear and befriend me for no reason. I never fully understood it. Why did you do what you did?”
“Because even I could see what you were like deep down,” Alzar replied, smiling, “you needed a friend, Zakura. We figured we could also help with that while we taught you the elements.”
“But why,” Zakura asked, “why did you continue to put up with my crap and lack of respect? Why did you decide to dedicate your lives to me learning your skills?”
“Because we wanted to be able to look one day and say “we taught Zakura Ishiko; the greatest avatar to ever live.” Shinon replied, “She was not just a learner, but she was also like a sister to us.”
“Face it, Zak-Zak,” said Zinjamyn, “you’re part of us now.”
“You know what,” said Zakura, “I think I’m going to hit you for that.”
However, Zinjamyn was able to bend back and avoid Zakura’s uppercut, and when people dodged it, Zakura let up. She only tried it once before doing it again. She’d wait a while before her next strike.
“You know what,” said Zakura, smiling, “I think you’re right in more ways than one. I don’t think I’d be able to manage very well without you four here for me. I want to be able to look back and say “you know The Legendary Four Benders? They were my teachers”.” She paused for a moments before she continued.
“They were also my family,” she said, opening her arms and bringing the four of them in an embrace, “and I love them.”
Alzar, Shinon, Aiku, and Zinjamyn all smiled upon seeing the happiness return to Zakura’s emotions
“Then we have succeeded,” said Aiku, “remember Zakura: if there’s anything that troubles you—anything at all, no matter how ridiculous it may sound; just come fine us. We’re here for you, no matter what the circumstances are. Always remember that, Zakura, and you’ll be alright. You’re not going to lose this war; you have friends everywhere that are willing to die for the freedom of this world, and for your survival.”
“Thank you,” said Zakura, her eyes watering only slightly (for neither Alzar, Shinon, Zinjamyn, nor Aiku thought they should mention this, as they were not in the mood for a dislocated jaw at the current time);
The next morning was another typical day, with the exception of Cheng encountering Zakura when she was alone.
“What do ya need,” Zakura asked, chuckling, “an extra set of clothes for Taki because you took them off and lost them?”
“Um, no;” Cheng replied, “I was just going to ask you something.”
“Well,” said Zakura shrugging, “fire away.”
“What’s the prettiest place you’ve ever been?” he asked,
“Ah,” she said, “taking your girl out somewhere special, I wager?”
“Aye,” Cheng replied, by now knowing that telling Zakura the truth was the best way to get her off your back, “and I figured since you’ve already done so much for us that another favor wouldn’t hurt, right?”
“Sounds logical,” Zakura replied, “as for the place, take her west just across the river from the village west of Fengtai. You might have to take back roads to avoid The Order, but trust me, it’s worth it.”
“Alright then,” said Cheng, smiling, “thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Zakura replied, smiling back as Cheng left, presumably to tell Taki. Normally she might have made something up, but she was in a much better mood, and this lifted the spirits of most of the base. They were all glad that She Was Happy Again.”
~Azula~
