A Recognition of Shadows

[Rikugurl]

Fire flew through the streets, melting the ice structures some and weakening them. Firebending here was dangerous and if he wasn't careful, he could endanger people's lives. He was the only one who could completely get rid of them though, having the only 'light' out of the whole tribe. Aqua was right. If he wanted to help her, he had to keep fighting.

Fire continued to fly around the battle, the waterbenders quickly moving out of the way. The only person who seemed to realize that this wasn't going to work was probably the youngest of them all. Ventus looked around quickly, sizing up the battle and seeing that they were outnumbered. Axel could only destroy a few at a time and bending was not an easy task to do all by yourself. He would quickly wear himself down and being in such a cold climate, he would run out of steam quicker. Not only would the fire in his body weaken but the body wasn't use to such a climate and would shut down naturally to hibernate.

He looked back up at the sky, growling as the clouds still hid the only light they had. That was when he suddenly remembered something...
"I didn't know you could bend clouds..."
"That's it!" He cried happily, rushing pass Terra who called out his name in worry but the airbender didn't stop as he rushed up the stairs of the palace, using the air at his feet to boost him up quicker. Some blasts of air pushed the shadows that were chasing him and when he got to the top of the stairs, he turned and flicked his wrist, opening his glider and jumped off the top.

He quickly soared through the air, dodging the flying shadows as he headed up towards the moon. The dragon shadows seemed to know of his idea and quickly followed him up, snapping at his legs but they were pushed back as Ventus flew up quicker and higher.
"Come on, come on!" His blue eyes narrowed, his hood flipping back and his robe flapping violently at the speed they were flying.
He finally broke through a cloud, feeling the water vapors stick to his body and he could see the glorious moon. None of the shadow dragons came up this far and he did not see as they turned and headed back to the tribe below.

The young boy swallowed, having never done this before but he had to try. It was their only hope! His glider became unsteady as he pulled his legs free and flipped around it. His arms quickly started to circle, yelping every time the winds became unsteady and the glider dipped. He had to hurry!
His arms quickly moved back and forth like a blade of grass in the wind and the clouds around him started to part. He continued to do this until he could see the tribe below.


Arms slowly rose towards the moon, aquamarine eyes reflecting the waters around him. Suddenly, they reflected the moon as it was cleared of cover and his palms started to glow. The moon in his eyes became brighter and brighter and his silver hair started to flow out behind him.


"W-WHOA!!" A beam was suddenly shot down from the moon, pushing Ventus way with a great force. Luckily, he grabbed onto his glider and got back into the right flying position, shooting back to the tribe. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going, watching as the beam of light headed to the back of the palace. What... "GA-AAAAAAAH!!!" He screamed in horror as a tower was heading... right for him!

"SHIT!" Axel cried, having melted through an icy support and a watch tower started to fall.


Inside the oasis, the beam of moonlight came through the sky and illuminated the whole oasis. The creatures disappeared instantly and Invidia only crashed into a wall, the creature she was about to pounce gone.
When she looked back, all she could see was the guardian glowing in a heavenly light.... with a beautiful white dragon surrounding him.
Glowing eyes slowly opened, near the same color as the moon as he looked down at the rabbit-fox. "Did you not trust me?"

[Reno]

"What is he doing?!" Roxas cried, watching the Airbender take off into the sky, slicing through some of the shadows that were crowded him. But they were... they were harder to fight this time. He would have to strike them more than once before they disappeared.
"I don't know!" Terra yelled, backing up some, his feet stomping hard to raise some of the land and throw them off.

Across the way, the water-benders were fighting as best they could, ice and water flying through the air at their opponents, but even as they combined their efforts it didn't help. The shadows, under pure darkness, were too strong.

That was when the clouds up above cleared, giving them a little hope.

That was until there was a mighty crack, one of the watch towers, a support beam weakened from the fire, started to tip over and fall. "A-aaah!!" Called the watchman inside, holding onto the edge of the tower as he started to fall.
Blue eyes went wide, the blonde warrior screaming. "VEN!!"
"Ventus!" Came an echoing yell from the brunette.
Helplessly, the three looked up as the tower fell.

The sound of a heavy coat hitting the floor went under heard, quick steps rushing down the ornate staircase as hands spread. The railings on either side of the staircase seemed to melt, forming two great torrents of water as the bender reached the end of the staircase and seemed to glide across the level ice. The two streams of water formed up above and the bender spun once and threw the water like it was a whip. It collided with the melted beam and became ice instantly, before the rest of the water climbed and became ice, becoming a new support for the fallen tower, stopping it's fall instantly.

"WAAAA-...ah?" The watchman inside blinked as he was yanked to a stop, still holding on tightly as his entire box was still leaning to the right.

Any warrior bender who had been rushing to help froze in place, and all eyes slowly moved to the warrior who had helped.

Only, it wasn't a warrior.... it was the princess!!

Aqua straightened from the crouch, looking at her handywork with a smile, the airbender seeming to get control of his panocked flight away enough to fly back towards the tower and rescue the watchmen. She looked around, seeing all eyes were on her suddenly, before finally pinning her look on Axel, grinning coyly. That was a lot better than 'just practicing'. "Now, Axel I asked you to help, not destroy my tribe." She teased ever so lightly.

"A-Ah... Princess...?" Came a call from another warrior but as she turned to face him, irritated to see what seemed her entire TRIBE standing around and watching. This would have serious repercussions later...
"Well, what are you all standing around for?! Take care of these shadows!"
"A-Ah yes Princess!!" As the warriors jumped back into the fight, she met the gaze of her disapproving brother over their heads. She defiantly turned away from him though, her fingers pointing to the ground as her arms waved from the right to the left side of her through the air as if mimicking the motion of the ocean, ice under her feet turning to water before she held both her hands up to the sky, her palm resting over the hand of the other. Then she swung them outwards like one would swing a bat and the water flew breaking apart and turning into icy spikes as each and every single one struck into a shadow, destroying them all instantly.

She was going to stand and fight with them, and no one was going to stop from doing so.

"Wow..." Terra murmured, seeing Aqua bend with as much skill as a master, but didn't let it distract him too much as he joined back into the fight. Unlike at the oasis were the light had become so intense it had been near blinding, the shadows here were not destroyed by the moonlight, merely weakened. But that was good enough.

His foot slammed into the ground and the ice in front of him split into two, neatly carved slabs of ice and rock, making the creatures atop it scramble about. He slammed his palms together and the two slabs rose up to meet one another, crushing the shadows in between them with a final clap. He swung his arms down and the slabs hit the ground again before he pulled his hands up, palms facing away from each other, muscles shaking with effort, before he twisted his wrists around so his palms were turned up towards the sky. Following the movement, the ice rose up facing away from one another, before they seemed to fall gracefully to the ground and smash into the rest of the shadows crushed underneath them.

No one really noticed Roxas had turned from the fight and rushed over to where Ventus was, gliding down slowly so he and the watchmen could land safely. "Are you okay?!" He called as he met them.


Back in the oasis, Invidia looked about as she realized the blinding light had taken care of all the creatures. She turned around facing the man and then huffed at his statement. She gave a simple bark and walked past him with a huff, under the altar and pacing around her master once before settling behind his back, as if watching out for it. Her message was clear.

She did not.

Luckily, the battle was not meant to last much longer... because only a few minutes after Invidia had settled, Soran stirred and awoke. And as he did, the shadows seemed to back away, and even disappear.

"Nnn..." The airbender blinked, the glow in his eyes fading as he came back to himself. He looked around seeing he was back where he started. The oasis... right...

And something was... CRAWLING UP HIS SHIRT?!

"WAAAH!" He cried and Invidia had to make a run for it as the avatar fell back onto the ground, his shirt shifting and moving... before a spade-shaped black head popped out of his shirt, and stuck out it's tongue, licking his chin. "Oh... Hey La."
There was an impatient bark beside him and he turned his head, smiling as he spotted the rabbit-fox. "Hey Vi, did I miss anything?"
She gave another, more irritated bark. More than he would ever know!

[Rikugurl]

"VEN!!"

The sound of a little boy cried at the base of the mountain trail and another small boy paused, looking behind him. A bald man in orange and red robes stopped by his side, looking back as well. Spiral blue eyes peered down at a small family that only became smaller. There was a man, a woman... and a little blonde boy, all with tears in their eyes as they watched the two ascend the trail. "Woxas!" He called back but he bit his lip and looked up at the monk that was taking him away. Slowly he looked back, big fat tears running down his face. "Buh, bye.... Woxas..."


Ventus's eyes widened as a memory he had stored came forth and took a hard bank, nearly colliding with the watchtower. He sighed in relief as he made it through but his heart tugged when he heard a watchman scream. His balded head looked back, watching the man hold onto the edge for his life but just as he was about to turn... the watchtower stopped moving. He looked down quickly, gasping as he saw the princess but smiled, seeing her bend the ice and water like a natural. She was really powerful.

He banked to the side, making himself glide back over to the tower. "GRAB MY WAIST AND HANG ON!" He called down, seeing the watchman quickly rush over, wrapping his arms around the young boy's waist. The man yelped some as they flew through the air, circling around and swooping down to land in a clear spot. When the watchman got his feet on the ground, he let go and joined the fight. However, when Ventus got onto the ground, he flicked his wrist and the glider turned back to just the staff... and the staff dropped onto the icy ground. The young air master whipped around and wrapped his arms around the warrior's neck, pulling him close so it was near impossible for Roxas to escape.

Warm tears started to race down pudgy cheeks as his grip tightened. "Brother..." He sobbed softly. "Please.... please don't hate me.... brother! I had forgotten, I tried to hard to remember! I could not remember your faces! Even when we stopped... father came up to Axel and spoke to him, Axel gave a threat... and he was nothing but a villager to me! I couldn't remember any of you! I.... please.... please forgive me, brother.... forgive me!"


"The shadows finally attacked." The guardian filled the avatar in, turning to him and reaching up to the dragon, only for it to shed its scales like snow and appeared twice as small, returning to her snake form. He slowly walked over to the boy, looking down at him. "What did you see? Did you gain the answers you were looking for?"

[Reno]

"What would you do... if you found your twin?" The words rang into his head again and he remembered his angry response. but here, like this, with the truth staring him in the face. Roxas eyes shut as he shook, his fingers tightening on the swords he wielded.

And then, just as suddenly the grip slackened and they clattered onto the ice... as strong arms returned the hug. "What would I do..." He mumbled softly, his voice choked up as tears fell down his own face. "If I found you... Heh, I guess I'd... give you a hug...." His fingers gripped onto his brother's shirt, sobbing into his shoulder. "But how could you forget me?! All this time... was I the only who felt it? That hole... that loss... did you not miss me at all...?"


"Wha-?!" Soran started to cry but it was cut off in a gasp as he looked back at Riku, his blue eyes widening as he saw the ethereal light covering the other and the magnificent dragon that shielded him. The only word that rolled through his head was Beautiful and he was pretty positive he didn't mean the dragon this time.

It took him a few moments to fix his slack-jawed gaze, having to guess what the guardian had just asked him because it went completely over his head. Luckily he was right on the copper coins this time. "Er uh... Y-Yeah. I found Avatar Ila and she guided me to where I needed to go." He stood, his legs shaking so hard he actually fell, but Riku caught his arm and steadied him making Soran close so hard he felt feverish. "Ah-Um er... t-thanks... Must of... lost some circulation..." He excused weakly, shivering as the other's fingertips brushed his neck. Oh god, is... is he gonna kiss me?! He started to inwardly panic, not knocking what to do if the silverette did lean over the last few inches... when he realized that wasn't what Riku was aiming for.

Instead a little black snake that had been coiling around his shoulders slithered up the man's arm, joining Yue. "O-Oh..." Now he felt like a fool... "Err... thanks La..." He said graciously to the ocean spirit, before looking down at his animal guide. "Guess we'd better join the fight?" There was a bark of agreement and Invidia was already making her way over to the bridge, Soran stepping around the other shyly. He paused on the wooden crossway and turned back, seeing Riku watching him. "Will... you be alright?" He called. The other reassured him he would be quite alright. He nibbled on his lip, hating to leave him, but nodded and bowed to him. "Thank you Riku... for your assistance and your wisdom. I hope to see you again before our departure."
He gave a shaky smile before he was gone, heading back up the path into the Northern tribe, his heart still beating like a lion-seel skinned drum.

[Rikugurl]

"I...I missed you! I missed.... all of you... but when I couldn't recognize faces coming down the trail... I.... I got so scared. I... I was scared that forgetting... would make you all really sad... I chose the wrong path brother... I ran. I.... I believed from that day.... that hope of worry... would always overcome sadness from neglect. I... I hated myself for it... and even though I did... I was always too scared." Neither seemed to hear the sound of battle rage around them as they stood there, holding each other tightly. "I'm sorry.... I don't deserve forgiveness..."


"HEYA!" More fire went blazing, hitting another group of shadows and turning them to dust. He had his back against the princess, their force of water and fire clearing most of shadows. If fire spread too dangerously close, Aqua was easily able to dispel it. Green eyes looked around a few seconds when they cleared a path, quickly spotting... THIS WAS NO TIME FOR HUGGING!
"ROXAS!? VENTUS!? HELLO!? FIGHT!?" He cried over the sounds of the water roaring and earth shattering around him and another ball of fire was sent out, colliding with a large shadow beast with wings.

Just as he started to bend again, he paused when the creatures all turned... and headed back up to the cliffs. "Huh?" He frowned, looking back at Aqua to see her shrug. Some warriors stopped, looking around themselves as others took an attack of opportunity against the fleeing foes. It was the watchman who spotted the reason first. "There!" He called, pointing to the palace where a short, glowing being stood.
"Soran?" Axel squinted, wondering why the Avatar was glowing like... like the moon.

The prince stepped forward, his eyes on the Avatar as well. "He's been touched..." He spoke softly, making Axel glance at him unnervingly. Touched?

[Reno]

"You're stupid is what you are!" Came the soft cry back, "Don't you know anything about... about taking the road less traveled makes you stronger and... and... all that?! I..." The blonde sighed, unable to really conjure the anger that had been with him all this time. Maybe he was just tired of being angry... and alone.

Before he could think of anything else to say though, he heard Axel's voice on the wind, yelling out to them. He looked up seeing that they WERE still in a battle. He had completely forgotten. "We... We can talk later..." He said softly, but Ven seemed reluctant to let him go. He had to admit... he wasn't too thrilled with the idea himself.

That's when the moon came out again, stronger then before. No it... it wasn't the moon... It was... Soran?!
"By what?" Terra asked as he walked over, and despite the cold climate, his bangs were darkened by sweat. He had to remember earthbending was a good way to stay warm...

"By the moon's energy..." Aqua explained, before she broke away, running to the staircase of the palace, looking up at the Avatar who was slowly climbing down, looking about in confusion as the Shadows turned tail and ran for it. "Avatar Soran! They're running from the light you're giving off!"
"Light...?" The airbender called back as he paused his descent, before looking down at his hand... and it was true. He was giving off... a beautiful silvery-white light. Had that been why... Riku had been staring?
"Came you chase the rest of them off?" Came the waterbender's request and he looked up to meet her gaze, before smiling.
"You got it!" His staff tapped the ground and the contraption burst open, and he took off into the air, zigzagging throughout the tribe to chase off the shadows and give the weary waterbenders a break.

It seemed the Northern Water Tribe was finally safe.

[Rikugurl]

Everyone stayed frozen as they watched the princess climb the stairs, meeting the glowing boy.
"Ah..." Ventus looked up, seeing his best friend... glowing!? He never did that before! He looked beyond the palace, seeing the ray of moonlight slowly disappeared. Had Soran summoned that? Was that why he was glowing now? He closed his eyes, pulling Roxas close as there was a burst of light over the tribe as Soran flew in the sky, making all the creatures disappear or run to the darkness of the hills.

"Heh!" Axel grinned, seeing the warriors occupied with watching the sky, leaving his position head to the stairs. He needed to congratulate Aqua for going against the written law and sticking up for her tribe. However, he didn't get far before watching eyes narrowed and fingers moved, making the ice melt into water.... under Axel's feet.
"AAAH!!" The redheaded firebender cried as he instantly fell into the freezing waters below, making everyone looked back in fright, hoping it was not a stray shadow.

"AXEL!" Ventus cried, about to let go and rush over to help me out but Roxas was already on it. The prince, who had done the deed, only growled, seeing a long arm reach up and rip onto the ice to pull himself back up. He did not want him getting too close to his sister and he wasn't impressed with his influence on her--- but even he had to gasp in shock as a horrible sound came from under the water and the arm was yanked away, only burbling coming from the hole.
Underneath the ice, Axel was desperately trying to surface but just as he was about to pull his weight up... something slammed into his torso, knocking the wind right out of him and dragging him down into the darkness of the frozen abyss.

It was a frightened Turtle Seal who was trying to get out of the canals and into the ocean but it had no plans of bringing the firebender along. Quickly, she swatted the redhead and swam over him, not particularity worried that he was sinking. Axel had lost his air from the punch and his body was screaming for oxygen. He could no longer hold his breath as his limbs flailed but his body was quickly shutting down from the shear temperature. His mouth opened and his lungs filled with water.

[Reno]

Aqua sighed in relief as Soran left, feeling more at ease now. Her eyes widened though when she heard a yell behind her and spun around... just in time to see Axel go diving underwater! "Axel!!"

"AXEL!!!" Came an echoing yell from the twins and Roxas was the first to split away and go running towards the hole, intent on helping to pull the other out. The freezing cold... he couldn't handle that for long!
"Ah, shit!" Terra called, also running to help though he wasn't sure what he could do. But the predicament for the firebender only became worse when they heard the muffled crack underneath the water and the hand was gone, a dark shape rushing underneath and leaving a shadow behind. Something had run into him! "Shit!" He cursed again, looking towards Ropxas who had hesitated, looking under the ice helplessly. Well....
"ROXAS CAN YOU SWIM?!"
"Yeah, why?!" Came the panicked call back the blonde not knowing what this had to do with anything... until the ice around him broke and started to lift up, intent on flipping him right into the water alongside Axel... but he wasn't scared. In fact... he was determined.
"Good, because I can't!" He heard Terra yell just as he took in a deep breath and was thrown into the canal.
Aqua was running back down the stairs, her eyes furious - because she knew this trick well. But there was no time to yell at her brother for his poor timing, as she rushed to the holes edge and with an order to 'Stand clear!' swung her arms, the ice of the canal turning to water instantly all the way to the junction. Terra, her brother and the other warriors quick to get out of her way. Most underneath the ice was land, but the straight path leading to the palace stairs was the canal, the waterway going underneath and into the palace and following out in the grand hall where the fountains were. Now though... Roxas didn't need to worry about where to come up once he got Axel.


The water was cold. It chilled him to his very bones, but he didn't care about that, his eyes intent on the flash of red he had seen but now with the ice over him, it was darker, the moonlight unable to reach here. He started to swim... and suddenly it was easier to see. And he spotted the red flare of hair again, swimming towards it quickly.

His heart beat nervously as he got to Axel, seeing those green eyes stare back at him, slowly losing their light as they closed. No, Axel, damnit no! He gripped the other around his waist and kicked as hard and as fast as he could for the surface, using any technique he knew to make him swim faster! And for the first time in his life, he wished he was a bender. Any bender. An earthbender, to jut them both out of the water. A water bender, the create a geyser to lead them. An air bender to fly out. Or a firebender, to burn all this damn water AWAY.

He broke the surface taking in a gasp of air, but it was so long... to long... Axel was limp in his hands and, "He's not breathing!" He cried desperately as hands, Aqua's and Terra's, reached for them. This was so wrong... this wasn't right. Axel couldn't die!

"Calm down!" Aqua ordered him, helping Terra yank the motionless red-head from the water and lent over the man intensely. The brunette turned and pulled him out as well, and Roxas sat there on the ice, holding himself and shivering violently as he watched, in silent amazement, as Aqua placed her hand on the middle of Axel's chest and then rose it up, past his neck and over his mouth... and all the water held in the man's lungs suddenly passed his lips and he started to cough... and to breathe...

The blonde blinked slowly, before bowing his head and shook. He was okay... he was going to be okay... and again Roxas had done so little to help...

[Rikugurl]

Ventus was quick to rush over, looking over the side just a Roxas had gone in. "Roxas!" He called after, now worried for the warrior. No... worried for his brother. He heard a soft tap behind him, knowing it was Soran who had landed but his blue eyes were intent on the water, trying to see anything. The water warriors stood there, looking and waiting to see what would happen. They knew how bitter cold the water was and if anyone stayed too long...

And there was a speck of blonde and everyone was quick to move away. A smile came onto the young air master's face but quickly vanished as he heard his brother's cry. Axel... wasn't breathing!? But Aqua was quick to fix it, the redhead being placed on his back and everyone watched in awe as she bended the water right out of Axel's lungs. It was... simply amazing! A miracle!
Eyes narrowed still and the prince turned, looking at the warriors. "Don't stand around! Bring the villagers back to their homes!" He ordered and the warriors were quick to head to the palace where many had fled. There as a quick glance back before Isa stormed from the scene, Edmy quick to follow after.

A dry, skinned coat was placed on Roxas's shoulders, keeping him warm from his shivers. Now only Ventus shivered a bit; glancing at the worried Avatar and then down at Roxas.
The air was full of nothing but coughing and hacking, water still spilling from the firebender's mouth as he shook violently. His skin was pale and it was easy to see his veins. His lips were blue and his eyes still dull as they slowly opened.

[Reno]

"What happened?!" Soran finally asked, Axel and Roxas both looking like drowned rats. Axel was especially looking terrible, his lips actually having turned a light shade of blue, but Roxas was getting there, his ear tips reddened and even with the coat continued to shiver violently. "Are...Are they gonna be okay?"

"My brother happened." Aqua said harshly as she stood, looking furious. "And they'll be fine." She glanced at Terra then nodded down at Axel, "Can you carry him?"
"Yeah I got him." The brunette said, leaning down and picking up the wet warrior carefully, shivering himself when the water soaked into his clothes.
She looked to the two airbenders, then down at Roxas.
"I-I-I-I'm fine..." The blonde said between chattering teeth, but as he stood, his muscles turned to jelly, weakened from cold. Soran and Ven both were quick to grab for him, helping him stand.
"You won't be if you stay out here much longer." The princess said plainly, before deciding, "Take them to the oasis."
"But Riku-" Soran said, remembering how the other seemed to dislike the company of many.
"Riku will be fine. In fact, tell him to make them some tea, on my request." She said and turned, walking back for the palace.
"Where are you going?" Terra called.
"To have a healer bring them down something to dry off and get them some fresh clothes!" She called back.

The small team glanced at each other, but with no other choice, they made their way to the oasis, Soran leading the way. They went inside and down the stairs, the warmth of the world hitting them quickly. It was so warm, those still under heavy coats were starting to sweat and Ven found it pleasant. At the base of the steps, they found Riku there, looking up at them.

The Avatar smiled nervously, "Erm uh... Princess Aqua asked us to bring them here... they fell into the water." Aquamarine eyes seemed to narrow but he did not stop them from entered the warmer world. The two Airbenders sat Roxas down on the grass and beside him, Terra laid Axel down, throwing his coat over the man. Soran turned back to the silverette, fidgeting some. "And um she asked uh was just wondering um... if you could make them some tea please?"

[Rikugurl]

Axel cuddled up to Terra's warmth, not realizing what he was doing or he would surely not do it. He did not realize that they were moving, slowly slipping in and out of a deep sleep as his body tried to fix what was wrong. He shivered more, feeling the warmth of the oasis hit him suddenly. He could feel the world spin for a moment before his back laid on something soft yet solid, his gaze seeing nothing but the moon above.

Pale arms reached up, allowing the two snakes to slither on the branches of a beautiful tree before turning, looking down at the Avatar as he made his nervous request. The man nodded silently before moving to another part of the oasis where a small set up was made. Only a few minutes later, he came over with a tray full of small tea cups. He offered them around, everyone picking up one or two and passed them out. Ventus sat on the grass next to the blonde warrior, handing him a cup of tea. He felt Soran sitting next to him and smiled. "Soran... I.... I want you to meet my twin. Roxas." He smiled happily, seeing the shocked look on his best friend's face.

The tray was placed on the grass and the last cup of tea was taken gently. The guardian lifted Axel up a bit, enough so that he wouldn't choke on the warm liquid as it was given to him. "Please, remove your wet clothes and place them in these waters. They will warm and easier to dry." He instructed Roxas before glancing down at the redhead. "We'll have to undress him as well..."

[Reno]

Soran sighed as Riku trailed away, his heart more at ease. He didn't understand what it was about the other that was making him so nervous. He went over and sat down beside his friend, smiling to the silverette as he gave them some tea. He glanced over at Ven though when he started to speak... and then his eyes went wide. "What?!" He gasped. VENTUS was the twin that Roxas was looking for?!

Well... Well now that he mentioned it... there WAS a resemblance... "Really?! That's great! ... That is great right?" He asked, suddenly worried. Roxas was so angry before...
"Y-Y-Y-Yes..." The boy chattered out, his body curled in a tight ball, but he groaned in protest when Riku asked him to remove his clothes. He slowly straightened out his legs which were beginning to ache and reached down, pulling up his shirt and pausing at the silverette's next statement.

In fact they all did, looking at each other wordlessly then down at Axel, then back at each other all of them starting to blush.
"....Alright, fine I'll do it!!" Terra said, his cheeks turning a little pink under his tan-darkened skin as he pulled off the coat and mumbled, "Forgive me." And started to strip off the red-head's clothes.

Roxas watched for a moment, frowning some at the sight of the red-head's ribs. He really did need to eat more...
He jumped a little when Riku ordered him to strip again and he sighed, peeling the clothes away from his skin pulling his legs close to himself when he was completely bare while Terra, blushing much more now, threw the coat over Axel's legs.

It got a little less embarrassing for the boys - and moreso for Roxas mostly when Aqua came down the stairs with two other women laden with new clothes and blankets and took over. But soon enough, the two were dried, clothed and given a makeshift bed out of blankets.

"Thank you Arlene, Lysa." Aqua said, nodding to the two woman.
"Of course princess." The dark-haired one, Arlene, spoke. "If you need anything else. they offered her smiles and respectful bows before they were off on their way. She smiled before glancing back, seeing the two laying out on the grass.

Axel seemed all too willing to burrow under his pile, his shock wearing off some as the warmth started to return to him, his eyes shut in exhaustion. Roxas was feeling it too, his shivers have died down to near nothing, the blues of his eyes hardly seen behind heavy lids.

[Rikugurl]

Red lashed eyelids became so heavy that he didn't bother to fight it, closing them and falling into a deep sleep as he laid on the blankets of skin and fur. His body continued to shiver, his muscles tight and exhausted.

Ventus watched as his brother lulled to sleep too, frowning and biting him lip. He hoped he would be alright. He finally turned away, walking over to the small group and noticed that Terra still had a blush over his face. A blonde eyebrow rose, wondering what his problem was before shaking it off, glancing at the guardian as he spoke to the princess.

"They will be fine here over the night. I will watch over them and make sure they drink enough warm liquids to restore warmth to their organs." He spoke softly but his eyes darkened some as he looked away from the two boys to the princess. "However, I must ask that the four of you to leave now. I feel unbalanced with so many in the oasis. This is not a place for mortals to linger long. Though your prescience is welcomed at any time, princess, Avatar, I am afraid I cannot allow things here that I would even enjoy. If statuses change, you will know as soon as possible but for now... I must ask you all to leave."

The princess gave her thanks before heading up the stairs, the rest of the small group leaving but not until sparing a glance as the shivering duo. When they left, the wooden door closed behind them and they all realized how late it was and how tired they truly were. Eyes looked around the tops of the cliffs, not seeing any sign of yellow eyes peering down at them. As they walked through the palace, Ventus was the one to 'break the ice'. "Princess Aqua... why did you brother do something like that? Does he truly wish for no man to win your hand?"

[Reno]

Aqua sighed, feeling tired from the battle even though she had not done too much. It had been an eventful night, most of them not having gotten more then a few hours sleep before the attack happened and behind her she could hear the sound of the three bender's feet dragging. And she knew she would still have to await her brother's return to let her know that all was well before she too could sleep.

She frowned some at the question and glanced back at the airbender before sighing. "He is a jealous man... and a very protective brother..."
"But... to go to such lengths? Axel he could of-" Soran started to protest.
"I know... Isa went too far that time. He's done it before..." Aqua mumbled.
"But...but why?"

The blue-haired woman frowned some, her steps slowing as the others followed her at a slower pace, knowing they were going to get a story.
"My father used to be the Chief of this tribe." She started slowly, "But a month after I was born... he died at sea. His boat caught on the side of a glacier... and he sunk with it. He wasn't a water-bender so..." She sighed softly, "And my mother..." She grimaced. "If you could call her that... she was a... a selfish, power-hungry woman. She cared little for the tribe... and even less... for Isa or I. Had it not been for my brother, I never would of made it through the first few years of my life... because my mother refused to care for me." There walk lead them out on a balcony looking over the east side of the tribe. The woman walked over to the edge of the railing, leaning against it, looking out. "My mother... heh, she really didn't like me at all. She... she did everything she could to ignore me. I don't think I ever learned anything from her... except ways to avoid people. I was about... ten when I realized... she didn't love me. I think she might even... have blamed me for my dad's death. ...She passed away a few years ago and... I didn't even cry. You can only try to give love and be rejected for so long before it just leaves you."

It seemed to weariness the benders were feeling was wiped clean away as they grew enraptured by the story, and Soran especially felt sorrow fill his heart. She was... an orphan like him; all her life really. But at least she had Isa. "So... Isa was always... looking out for you."

"Yes." Aqua said with a smile. "I think... he tried to replace the loss of both my parents love by... trying to love me double as hard."
"...You're really fortunate to have him." Soran said sincerely, no trace of jealousy there.
"Yes, and so is this tribe." Aqua responded with a smile. "My brother took the role as chief next, not wanting my mother to take over and lead our people... but knew that he would never make a good leader and once I became of age, he handed the throne to me. But he still protects this tribe with everything he has..."
"But... he'll hurt people who want to... marry you?" Terra ventured softly, finding it almost like hypocrisy.

There was a long pause, then Aqua sighed and looked down at her hands. "Most times... that is my own fault."
"What do you mean?" The brunette ventured, but his eyes had a knowing look in them and he hardly noticed the look Ventus sent him, remembering the conversation they had on their walk. It seemed the Earthbender had guessed well.
"Isa said I had a choice to be leader or not, and I took it. There was no question about it. I wanted to lead and to help my tribe flourish, like my father did. But I... I was young when I made the decision... and I didn't see how much I was giving up too." Her eyes became distant and troubled. "I'm already supposed to be engaged... all women when they reach the age of sixteen are... but I... I couldn't face that. I-I didn't want to marry someone I... didn't love."

"And Isa saw your fears, and he's doing everything he can to make it look like it's him that is stalling the engagement." Soran said, his eyes widening some in realization. "But... but Axel...?"
"I think... Axel unsettled Isa because... Axel is the type of person, if we were to truly fall in love... would be able to take me away from here."
"You mean... you two aren't in love?!" Terra said, still remembering the kiss quite clearly in his mind.

She chuckled suddenly and shook her head. "Goodness no! We are just good friends! Though I suppose we do a great act together, if it was enough to fool you... and Isa. People like Axel... people like you guys... make me want to see the world. They give me the idea... of running away. And no matter how much Isa cares... he also is afraid of losing me to my own selfish desires."
The woman sighed before turning to face the trio, her face mirroring her conflict. "But he doubts me too much. I love my tribe. My people. I would do anything for them, even break laws. I learned to water bend for fighting purposes all on my own... practiced from the old scrolls, so that I could if I ever needed to. What princess just stands back... and watches her people die for her?" She whispered softly but shut her eyes. "And eventually... I'm going to have to get married for my tribe, whether I love him or not. And I don't think I can... ever love a him."

Soran and Ventus both looked at her clueless for a long time, but Terra stared at her with wide eyes. 'Like you would ever want children!' Axel's voice rang in his head and suddenly... it made sense. He stared at her before speaking quite bluntly, "You... you don't like men!"
The woman looked at the intelligent Earthbender, a sad smile on her face. "Sad, isn't it? A princess who never wants a prince."
"Wait, I don't get it. If she doesn't like men what does she like...?" Soran asked aloud, lost.
Terra sighed, rapping his knuckles across Soran's head lightly. "Well there's only one choice left. Men ooor..."
"Wome-? OH! Oh.... oooooooooooh!!!" Soran suddenly turned scarlet, fidgeting nervously. "I-I get it...." Beside him, Ventus was no better but he did manage to stutter out a nervous question that since she WAS leader... couldn't she just change the laws?
Aqua chuckled softly, looking down at her shoes, and shook her head. "No. A selfish leader... changes laws to better suit themselves."
"But some change is good." Soran replied, remembering Riku's words to him not long ago. "It's not selfish if you are trying to create a better future for your people."
"The laws I would change... would probably cause an uprising. My duty is like yours Avatar. I must keep balance here, for the good of all." She pushed off the balcony railing and smiled. "Now come now, it has been a long night. You all must get your rest. If anything happens to change with yours friends' condition, someone will fetch you to alert you."

She walked past them and they knew the talk with her was over and as she left, Soran watched her go sadly, his heart heavy. She was willing to sacrifice so much for her tribe, even her own happiness. And it was horrible to know... no matter how many men asked for her hand... she would never find someone to love truly and forever. He placed a hand over his heart, feeling it hurt.

There had to be something he could do.


The night hours passed by slowly, and for the two in the oasis they were awoken every now and again by Riku who helped them drink their tea before allowing them to rest again. Most of them passed by in a blue, and he wasn't sure if it was the second time or the tenth when he was stirred to life, that Roxas thought he had a daydream. He was tired and cold and remembered the last time he had nearly frozen to death that first night out on his own, he had hallucinated.

He turned his head, watching as Riku held Axel up, having to force the tea down his lips and he frowned. "How... is he doing...?" Roxas croaked softly, still laden down by a need to sleep.
The silverette paused, then answered he was much the same. Even from here, the warrior could see the slight shivers wracking the red-head's frame. "He really doesn't do well with cold... Give him some of my blankets. I don't need them."
'You say that now but you do not realize how cold you still are.' Came the response.
"No really... I'm sweating under here!" Roxas said, pushing some of them away, and shuddered all over from the cold. A silver eyebrow arched expectantly, but the blonde frowned in determination. "Well... you'll have to give them to both of us then." He squirmed out of the blankets, making his way painfully over the the make-shift bed of the firebender's and without further ado, crawled under them and up against the red-head's freezing body. It made him shiver, but determinedly wrapped his arms around the other, pulling their bodies as close as he could.
His eyes grew heavy again as wordlessly, the rest of the blankets were pulled up and over them both, offering more warmth than they had before. He mumbled a sleepy goodnight as he drifted off.

He thought it was just a daydream.

He had no idea, as Riku stared down at the two with a disbelieving shake of his head, that he had actually done it.

[Rikugurl]

The small group headed to their chambers, the two young air benders crawling into the same bed and settled in for the night. It was one of the coldest nights they slept through, cover being pulled over their heads every once in awhile when they felt their bald heads get chilled.


In the morning, the boy woke up with a natural alarm that they were use to when they lived in the Temple. It was for morning meditation and yoga... Instead of doing any of that, the sat in bed and talked as the sun came through the icy window. "So... what happened when you went to the spirit world? What did you see and what have you learned about the shadow creatures?" Though he wanted to jump out of bed and rush to the oasis to see how his brother and the firebender were, he knew Riku had strict laws of coming into the oasis when the sun was reborn and the moon was in the stages of death.

Outside the princess's room, there was a balcony at the top of the stairs that looked out over the tribe. Standing there was a man in deep navy, his eyes narrowed as he gazed at the silent streets and canals. It had been a long time since the tribe was attacked and he was becoming worried. Would these creatures attack again tonight? Were they truly attacking because the Avatar was here? He frowned, his eyes closing as he thought. He wasn't there to ponder but awaiting for his sister to awake. They needed to talk...


In the oasis, the two slumbering warriors were surrounded by morning dew, a soft light of the sun coming through and the buds of the beautiful tree flew through the air softly. It was still a perfect haven during the morning hours. What the two didn't realize was that the guardian was actually absent, having returned home before dawn to sleep. The snakes swam through the water, staying deep when they could until they needed some air, little tongues flickering when they surfaced.

The two warriors were still huddled together in the same bedding, the same blankets covering them to keep them warm. With the sun trickling in, the oasis became a bit warmer and the firebender eventually stirred. His arm moved out of the blanket, pushing it away some and mover his face to cover his eyes, moaning softly as the sun bothered him. Because of this, the sun was able to illuminate the space between the two to reveal that both were completely naked. Limbs had tangled in the night, finding the warmth the other had to give.