!!ON INFINITY HIATUS!!

!!ON INFINITY HIATUS!!

Yin and Yang: Prologue

Balance is a key aspect in the world, so why shouldn’t the Avatar have an opposite?

In a world where Raava and Vaatu merge with humans, the Avatar and the Daimon try to keep the peace between the four nations.

Aang and Hua are the current incarnations, but wake up 100 years in the future.

How will these two learn all four elements in one year and defeat the Fire Lord?

Prologue

In the beginning, they were two spirits.

One of light and order.

The other of darkness and chaos.

Raava and Vaatu.

Looked into eternal combat.

Never a winner, only a short victory over the other.

No one, not even themselves, could imagine to exist in harmony together.

Then one day two humans touched the spirit's very essence.

A young man named Wan earned Raava's trust and loyalty, while a young woman named Qi saw more than evil in Vaatu, showing him kindness and compassion.

The Spirits fused with their chosen human, creating the first Avatar and Daimon.

Wan and Qi worked all their life to restore balance in the world.

They were Yin and Yang personified. 

When one pulled, the other pushed.

When one walked, the other followed.

When one lost their way, the other found them.

It was so simple to fall in love with each other.

The love born between Wan and Qi changed also the ancient spirits in them.

Something which seemed so impossible had come true.

No longer enemies, but allies, even friends.

In every lifetime after Wan and Qi, the Avatar and the Daimon were always the opposite of each other and often also lovers.

Each Avatar and Daimon together tried to bring balance between the Four Nations and the Spirit World.

It was their eternal quest, but they didn’t have to walk this way alone.

Because their other half would always be with them…

Frowning Aang looked at his mentor and guardian Monk Gyatso.

“What is it Aang?”, the elder man asked his young charge. “I know you aren’t happy with being the Avatar, but I hoped that you would feel better to know that there is another one like you. Someone who will understand you.”

Aang just frowned deeper, crossing his arms.

“I don’t like that I already have a supposed Soul Mate…It seems like I don’t have any control anymore over my life…It sucks being the Avatar.”

Gyatso tutted him gently, rubbing affectionately his bald head with the blue arrow.

“Oh my young pupil, it may be true that nearly all Avatars and Daimons were a couple, but there were a few who were just friends and completely happy with other people. You can decide if you like young Daimon Hua this way. Meet her and become her friend, more the Elders doesn’t want from you.”

The young Avatar nearly snorted at this. 

Yeah, right.

If it would go after the Elders he and the Daimon would be wed now.

At twelve years!

His childhood couldn’t end sooner for the Air Nomad elders.

He felt like crying.

He just wanted to play with his friends and goof off with Gyatso.

Was that too much?

Why did he have to be the Avatar?

“So her name is Hua, huh?”, he mumbled loudly enough, so his mentor could hear him. “Flower for an Earth Kingdom girl seems fitting. She is an Earthbender right?”

“Right, the Daimon Cyle is the opposite of the Avatar’s. Together you two will learn the four elements to become a fully realized Avatar and Daimon.”

The boy signed loudly and slouched down in his seat.

“I don’t think I will like someone who is my opposite, I mean, she probably doesn’t like to make jokes or play pranks.”

“Don’t be so sure Aang.”, said Gyatso amused. “You know opposites attract, but having things in common is good too. Just give her a chance, alright?”

***

In the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se, the newly informed Daimon Hua hugs her mother, father and little brother tightly.

She wants to cry, to scream, to beg.

She wants to stay home.

She doesn’t want to be the Daimon.

All her life she and her family had struggled to make a living in Ba Sing Se.

Hua had used her Earthbending from a young age in any way to earn money for her family.

And now she would be stripped from them, brought before the Avatar of this era, and expected to work with him (even to fall in love with him!) and also to learn all the elements and somehow bring balance and peace to this world.

No, she doesn’t want to, but she knows it’s good for her family.

If in Ba Sing Se the Daimon or Avatar is born and comes from the Lower Rings their family then gets raised into the Upper Rings and becomes a noble family.

Something an Earth King some hundred years ago decided to make the city look good in the eyes of the other nations.

No peasant from Ba Sing Se should be a Daimon or Avatar. 

Yes, her family wouldn’t be anymore, hungry, cold or sick. They would be getting taken care of.

Only Hua had to pay with her freedom, with the power to decide her own faith.

It was unfair.

Why her?

She only ever wished for a simple good life.

She wasn’t greedy.

So why her?

Why her?

She kisses her brother's forehead, promising him to write as much as she can.

Somehow deep down Hua feels like this is the last time she will be with her family…

Water. 

Earth. 

Fire. 

Air. 

My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days: a time of peace when the Avatar and the Daimon kept the balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation and Air Nomads. 

But that all changed when the Fire Nation attacked. 

Only the Avatar and the Daimon mastered all four elements; only they could stop the ruthless firebenders. 

But when the world needed them most, they vanished. 

A hundred years have passed, and the Fire Nation is nearing victory in the war. 

Two years ago, my father and the men of my tribe journeyed to the Earth Kingdom to help fight against the Fire Nation, leaving me and my brother to look after our tribe. 

Some people believe that the Avatar was never reborn into the Air Nomads and that the Daimon was never reborn into the Earth Kingdom and the cycles are broken, but I haven't lost hope.

I still believe that, somehow, the Avatar and the Daimon will return to save the world.

Next

Yin and Yang: Book 1.09

Balance is a key aspect in the world, so why shouldn’t the Avatar have an opposite?

In a world where Raava and Vaatu merge with humans, the Avatar and the Daimon try to keep the peace between the four nations.

Aang and Hua are the current incarnations, but wake up 100 years in the future.

How will these two learn all four elements in one year and defeat the Fire Lord?

Hello guys, sorry for the long wait. 

This chapter is probably not my best, but I don’t know anymore what to write, so there.

Also, I want to inform you, that if this fanfic doesn’t get any comments I will abandon it.

Would not be the first one I do so.

I see you reading it, I just want some feedback.

I know it’s probably a bit boring because Hua is just added in the episode but I can promise you we will have a big canon divergent soon.

I’m just saying wait till The Blue Spirit then things will change. :D

So please be patient, comment, motivate me and we can arrive at this point in the story.

Now have fun with the chapter.

Book 1.09: The Two Scrolls

Water. 

Earth. 

Fire. 

Air. 

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. 

Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. 

Only the Avatar and Daimon, masters of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed them most, they vanished. 

A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar and Daimon, an airbender named Aang and an earthbender named Hua. 

And although his airbending and her earthbending skills are great they have a lot to learn before they’re ready to save anyone. 

But I believe Aang and Hua can save the world.

***

The day for our young heroes started with two panic attacks from the Avatar and Daimon.

Aang was pacing around on Appa's saddle, breathing heavily, while Hua had wrapped her arms around her knees and was swinging back and forth.

You could hear her mumbling something about the world being so doomed.

Katara looked worried at her young friends as Sokka called out from his place on Appa's head: “Would you sit down, Aang? If we hit a bump, you'll go flying off. What's bugging you two anyway? Hua looks like she is ready to fall over.”

“It's what Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue said.”, answered Aang worried.” We are supposed to master all four elements before that comet arrives.”

Jokingly Sokka told them that they only needed 112 years to learn air- and earthbending, he was sure they would master the other ones by next summer.

This was when Hua stopped her manic back and forth swinging to glare at Sokka: “I don’t know if you noticed, I’m not exactly a master earthbender. What I can do I learned while helping construct buildings in the Lower Rings of Ba Sing Se, from Bumi and inventing moves I copied from other bending. I still need a master for earthbending too.”

“You never told us this.”, said Katara softly. 

She saw in Hua's twisted face how she disliked talking about it.

“That my family was poor. Poorer than poor? Yeah, I don’t like to think about that.”, grumbled Hua.

The Daimon looked at her knees to not see the pitiful glances of the others. They could never understand how it was to grow up never being full, wearing clothes which didn’t fit and working the whole day to help bring money home.

If she had looked at her friends she would have seen that they didn’t look at pity at her. They looked sad for her, that she had such a hard start in life.

No wonder she didn’t like to talk about it.

“Hua at least started learning airbending with me.”, tried Aang to change the subject. It was the least he could do. “But we haven’t started waterbending and we're still weeks away from the North Pole. What are we gonna do?”

“Die.”, proclaimed Hua drier than the dessert.

“You know, not even I feel optimistic enough to talk back.”, admitted Aang.

He sat down beside Hua and together they swayed back and forth.

Not that Sokka didn’t understand that these two had a huge responsibility, however, reducing themselves like this was not the way.

So he called out to his sister, in hopes she could cheer them up. 

This was Katara's thing, not his.

“Calm down, it's going to be okay, Hua and Aang.”, told Katara. She kneeled before them, taking a hand each. “If you want, I can try to teach you some of the stuff I know.”

“You'd do that?”, chorused the Avatar and Daimon with hope in their voices.

Their friend agreed and told them they needed to find a good source of water for practice.

Always the jokester Sokka said they could probably find a puddle for them to splash.

The puddle turned out to be a huge waterfall with a river.

The girls and Aang made ecstatic faces, as Sokka frowned and murmured: “Nice puddle.”

How the universe loved to prove him wrong!

Appa flies down into the river and creates a huge splash that soaks and almost knocks Momo off the rock he is standing on, turns over, and floats on his back. Jaiyi, who had hidden behind Hua, made a fox laugh at her lemur friend. Momo was just cooing embarrassed.

Aang wanted to take a bad with Appa too, but was reminded by Katara and Hua why they were here.

It was time to practice waterbending.

Sheepish he dressed himself.

Meanwhile, Sokka wonders what he should do, while they practice and Aang tells him he could clean the dirt from Appa's toes.

Strangely Sokka agreed.

Maybe he was that utterly bored.

Whatever, like good students, Aang and Hua sat down beside the shore and looked up at their teacher Katara as she explained their first lesson.

”This is a pretty basic move, but it still took me months to perfect. So don't get frustrated if you don't get it right away.”, reassured Katara, while the younger ones nodded. She moves her hands back and forth and makes small waves in the water.“Just push and pull the water like this. The key is getting the wrist movement right.”

Hua and Aang stand up and copy what Katara is doing.

“Like this?”, asks Aang.

“That's almost right. If you keep practicing I'm sure eventually—”

Katara can’t finish even her sentences as Aang calls out that he is doing it. 

His waves were even bigger than Katara’s!

“I got it too!”, chirps Hua happy. Her waves were higher than Katara’s, but tinier than Aangs. “This feels a bit better than airbending.”

“Wow, I can't believe you two got that so quickly. It took me two months to learn that move.”, tells Katara surprised.

It’s…a bit weird to see both Aang and Hua having success on a move she worked so long on.

“Well, you had to figure it all on your own.”, begins Aang.

“We are lucky enough to have a great teacher.”, ends Hua with a smile.

Touched Katara thanks them.

“What now Sifu Katara?”, questioned Hua her best friend, as Aang nodded along.

Aww, this made Katara feel all fluffy inside being called Sifu. She hardly was a master but Hua and Aang saw her as one.

Precious darlings!

“This is a more difficult move. I call it streaming the water.” She moves her hands and raises a stream of water from the river into the air and moves it around. “It's harder than it looks, so don't be disappointed if-”

The waterbender stops talking as she sees how flawlessly and fast Aang executed this move, even Hua was faster and more elegant than her. Both children let the water flow back into the river, while Katara's orb splashed down the ground.

She felt…annoyance rise in her.

How could Hua and Aang get this so fast?!

“Nice work.”, she praises them and then frowns at Aang. “Though the over-the-head flare was unnecessary.”

Aang says sorry but begs for more move, Hua is right along with him giving Katara the best puppy-seal eyes.

A bit unsure she shows them the move she was still working on. The idea was to create a powerful wave. Sadly Katara fails.

Curious Aang and Hua copy her, a big wave and a medium-sized wave, form, mesh together and race down the river. 

Poor Sokka falls victim to it.

Excited Avatar and Daimon ask for more moves, but Katara annoyed about their success tells them practice is over.

Sokka agreed since their merged wave managed to make their bags with supplies float down the river.

Both kids say sorry, they didn’t mean to, but Aang was sure they could find somewhere to replace their supplies.

Defeated Sokka murmurs how his life was hard enough when they were just airbender and earthbender and sank down the river.

***

Luck was on their side.

They found a little harbour with market stands not that far away from their camp.

The only problem was the folks who wandered around.

A lot of armed men staring at the quartet. 

Hua, Sokka and Katara looked nervous while Aang looked around in wonder.

The Daimon was glad that she left Jaiyi with Appa. She had a feeling these friendly people would do anything to get the pelt of a ninetails.

Currently, they were waiting for Sokka to return with their supplies.

He comes out of the shop and signs: “We've got exactly three copper pieces left from the money that King Bumi gave us. Let's spend it wisely.”

Sadly this advice came too late since Aang bought a bison whistle, which even didn’t work.

All gave him annoyed looks and Katara told Aang she would hold into the money now.

Our quartet started walking again and passed where a man was talking in front of his boat docked in the water.

“Earth Nation! Fire Nation! Water Nation! So long as bargains are your inclination, you're welcome here! Don't be shy, come on by!”, advertise he for his shop aka. boat. The man wearing an earring zero in on them and runs up to them. “Oh! You there, I can see from your clothing that you're the world-travelling type. Perhaps I can interest you in some exotic curios?”

“Sure! What are curios?”, ask Aang innocent.

The earring guy blinks confused.

“I'm not entirely sure. But we got 'em!”

He puts his hand on Aang's shoulder and smiles, walking him into the ship. The others follow them.

Inside the ship they spread out, to look around.

Hua was looking at some pretty hair ornaments, only listing with half an ear how someone wants to buy Momo, when she wanders over a shelf.

There already was Katara browsing it as she let out a gasp: “Hua look!”

“Is this a waterbending scroll and firebending scroll?!”, said Hua surprised.

Neither expected to find something like this here.

Katara picks up the water scroll, while Hua the fire scroll.

“Look at this, Aang. It's a waterbending and firebending scroll!”, calls Katara for the Avatar, who joins the girls. “Check out these crazy moves.”

Aang turns to the captain, excited, wondering where he got these two scrolls.

The captain takes the scrolls from the girls, putting them back in their places and tells them he found the water one up north and the fire one, and gave them a nice firebender.

For free.

That’s when Sokka realizes: “Wait a minute ... Sea-loving traders, with suspiciously acquired merchandise and pet reptile birds? You guys are pirates!”

“We prefer to think of ourselves as "high-risk traders."”, tells him earring pirate, friendly an arm around Sokka's terrified form.

Meanwhile, the other three wander over to the counter, where the captain stands behind.

“So, how much for the, uh, traded scroll?”, asks Katara.

“I've already got a buyer, a nobleman in the Earth Kingdom. Unless of course, you kids have four hundred gold pieces on you right now.”

Oh by the spirits no, they would never get the scrolls like this.

So Hua did something she hadn’t done in a long time.

Casual she walked over to the shelf and faster than lighting put the scrolls in her bag.

That’s when Katara walks over and looks stupefied at the missing scrolls on the shelf.

She looks at Hua as her friend nods and pats her bag. Katara smiles, giving her a thumbs-up and calls for Aang to leave the pirate ship.

The boys follow the girls out back into the street, wondering why all of a sudden they wanted to leave the ship.

Neither Hua nor Katara gives them a clear answer about just how they felt weird on the ship.

They were still too close to tell the boys what they did.

Luck again wasn’t on their side, because the pirates noticed the theft and chased them all over the harbour.

The bender used their elements to slow them down, but in the end, they fled all together on Aang's glider.

It was a wonder how this was possible.

Soon they reached their campsite.

They were now safe.

“I used to kind of look up to pirates, but those guys are terrible.”, said Aang putting his glider away.

“Yeah, that’s why we did this!”

Excited Hua and Katara show the scrolls to the boys.

“No way!”

“Aren’t they great?”, asks Katara rhetoric.

“No wonder they were trying to hack us up! You stole their waterbending and firebending scroll!”, scolds Sokka.

“Actually it was me!”, admins Hua. “Not the first time I stole something.”

“What really?!”

“Sokka, if you grow up so poor as I am then sometimes you have to steal to get food for your little brother.”

“Also if Hua hadn’t grabbed them, I would have done it.”, tells Katara. “I prefer to think of it as high-risk trading.”

Aang laughs: “Good one, Katara.”

Seeing how Sokka still wasn’t happy with them Katara asked him where he thought the pirates got the scrolls from.

They probably stole it from a waterbender master and a firebender one.

“It doesn't matter.”, makes Sokka clear. “Hua, and you put all of our lives in danger just so you could learn some stupid, fancy splashes and some fiery, sparkly flames.”

“These are real waterbending and firebending forms. You know how crucial it is for Aang and Hua to learn waterbending! Also, Hua needs to learn firebending like yesterday, where else should we find help for her to do it?!”, challenges him Katara.

The oldest boy just waves it away with a whatever turning his back on them.

“Well, what's done is done. We have them, we might as well learn from them.”, told Aang.

The three benders decide how Hua should have a go first with her firebending scroll.

Katara holds it open for her, as she examines the forms.

“Okay, the first one.”, the Daimon mumbles. “A simple Fire Punch. Seems good enough.”

Nervous Hua faces the water, while all her friends look equally nervous on.

Would she bend fire and get it out of control?

Or would she master it?

With a deep breath, Hua goes through the steps and then…flame shoots out of her fist!

All exclaim in surprise.

“I did it!”, shouts Hua happy. “I firebenden!”

“How does it feel?”, asks Katara.

“Good, better, like how it’s supposed to. Oh let me try the next form.”

The next hour or so they watch how Hua performs the firebending forms flawlessly and with elegance.

Aang was reminded of when Kuzon would bend for them and Katara and Sokka saw for the first time how fire can be pretty.

Hua herself feels at complete ease.

It was how it should have been, first learn fire then the next elements in her Daimon Cyle.

She has a feeling she will now learn air and water better.

After Hua finished her set again, Katara called out for a break.

She sees how her best friend was breathing heavily and was sweaty. So she gives her one of their water bags and Hua gulps it down.

They decided now it was Aang and Katara's turn to use the waterbender scroll.

It works…not well.

Katara was so determined to get the water whip down, that she shouted at Aang as he tried to help her.

Seeing how she hurt the feelings of her friend, she apologises and gives him the scroll.

She doesn’t want to do anything with it more if it turns her into this jealous bitch.

In comfort, Hua pats the back of her best friend.

The Daimon can understand her feelings well. If Aang starts one day to learn earthbending and he is better than her, she would be angry too.

What was done was done, for today's practice was over.

They all needed to calm down.

***

Hua was currently dreaming about eating the biggest mochi of her life when she was rudely woke up.

“Huh, guys what's wrong?”, she yawned, then frowned.

Where was Katara?

“She took the scroll!”, answered Sokka her unspoken question. “She's obsessed with that thing. It's just a matter of time before she gets us all in deep-”

More he can’t say as a pirate throws a rope around his arms and drags him forward. He rolls away and charges at the pirate while another two pirates capture Aang and Hua in a net each and drag them away.

Offended Sokka asks if he is not good enough to be kidnapped and gets as a reward kidnapped.

A while later, Aang, Hua and Sokka, bond by their wrists, and stand with the pirate on one side of the shore, while Prince Zuko and his man are on the other. Katara was bonded on a tree.

Prince Zuko praises the pirates, while Katara says sorry to Aang and Hua. 

All was her fault.

The Avatar and Daimon try to reassure her that it is okay, but Zuko's uncle just says to Katara that it was indeed her fault.

Now the pirates and Prince Zuko argue about who should hand over their bargain chip first.

This uses Sokka to his advance, telling the pirates how Aang and Hua were the Avatar and Daimon and how the Fire Lord would pay them more gold, than the two scrolls together.

The deal was off and fighting started.

Prince Zuko and two of his soldiers send a blast of fire at the pirates. 

The pirates jump back and Earring Pirate runs out, throwing smoke bombs and jumping into the cloud as the fight ensues. Some of the soldiers run out to Hua, Sokka and Aang, who are struggling with their ropes, but are stopped by several pirates, who also throw smoke bombs down. 

“Okay, let’s try this!”, Hua mumbles to herself.

She concretes and burns her robes off.

“Nice! Sokka, Aang, where are you?!”

“I’m here Hua!”, she hears Aang from somewhere on the left.

“I don’t know where I am.”, comes from Sokka, somewhere on the right.

“Let’s just get out!”, advises Hua.

After a few seconds, she was out of the smoke, followed by Sokka and then Aang.

They run the shoreline down and find Katara who was trying to push the pirate ship into the water.

The three join her in trying to push the boat, but can't.

“We'd need a team of rhinos to budge this ship.”, bemoans Sokka their fate.

“A team of rhinos, or three waterbenders.”, corrected him Aang.

Katara looks touched at the Avatar, while Hua gets in position.

“Let’s do it guys, push and pull!”

Hua, Aang and Katara push and pull the water until the boat rises up.

They board the ship and sail through the river.

The Avatar sees how the pirates are following them in Zuko's ship and begs Sokka to go faster.

He admits he doesn’t know how, since the boat isn’t Watertribe.

Several of the pirates jump onto the ship but are quickly swept away by Aang's waterbending. 

Two pirates go after Hua but she spins herself around and sends a fire whip after them. This shocks the pirates so much that they fall over the ship.

Determined, Katara performs a perfect water whip to throw the last pirate off.

Aang and Hua congratulated her on her water whip, and Katara admits she wouldn’t have got it down without Aang's help.

Sokka meanwhile was being held in place by two pirates and begs them to stop congratulating each other and help him.

This time Hua water whips at the Pirates, who let go of Sokka, and one goes even overboard.

Earring Pirate turn to Aang who whistles in his Bison whistle.

The pirate was more than confused, but this gave Sokka the chance to throw him off the ship.

Then Katara calls out to them.

They are nearing a waterfall!

Thankful the watertribe girl has an idea and together with Aang and Hua they push and pull the water again, creating a vortex which stops the ship.

Their triumph was short-lived since the enemy boat rammed them and all four fell off the ship and down the waterfall.

However, they are lucky as Appa, with Jaiyi and Momo, appears and catches them on his saddle.

Fast they flew away.

***

Safe and sound Team Avatar-Daimon flies throw the clouds.

What a day they had and it just started!

“Aang, I still owe you an apology.”, begins Katara. “You were just so good at waterbending without really trying. I got so competitive that I put us all in danger, I'm sorry.”

“That's okay Katara.”

“Besides, who needs that stupid scroll anyway?”

“Is that really how you feel?”, asked Sokka sarcastically holding the water scroll up.

“The scroll!”

Her brother puts his hand in front to keep Katara from grabbing it.

“First, what did you learn? Hua, you listen too, alright.”

“Stealing is wrong.”, chorus the girls together.

Katara takes the scroll back and adds cheeky: “Unless it's from pirates.”

This makes Aang and Hua laugh.

“Good one, Katara.”

Previous

Next

Yin and Yang: Book 1.07

Balance is a key aspect in the world, so why shouldn’t the Avatar have an opposite?

In a world where Raava and Vaatu merge with humans, the Avatar and the Daimon try to keep the peace between the four nations.

Aang and Hua are the current incarnations, but wake up 100 years in the future.

How will these two learn all four elements in one year and defeat the Fire Lord?

Book 1.07: Winter Solstice, Part 1

I used Bing AI Creator to show you how Hua and Lixue could look in the Avatar-style.

Check out my DeviantArt, Wattpad Or Tumblr to see them. ^^

Hua

Lixue

Water. 

Earth. 

Fire. 

Air. 

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. 

Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. 

Only the Avatar and Daimon, masters of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed them most, they vanished. 

A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar and Daimon, an airbender named Aang and an earthbender named Hua. 

And although his airbending and her earthbending skills are great they have a lot to learn before they’re ready to save anyone. 

But I believe Aang and Hua can save the world.

Serenly Appa was flying over a forest, while his passengers enjoyed the warm rays of the sun on their skin.

Aang was sitting lazily atop his bisons heads a little twig in his mouth, Katara and Hua lay on their stomaches, looking at the clouds and Sokka was carving something out of wood.

Jaiyi and Momo were snuggled up together, enjoying a nice nap.

Yes, this was travelling at its finest.

No, grumpy Fire Nation Prince after them.

Just them and the endless sky.

"Those clouds look so soft, don't they?", mussed Katra dreamly. "Like you could just jump down and you'd land in a big, soft, cottony heap?"

Hua let out an agreeing hmm, trying to find forms in the clouds.

"Maybe you should give it a try.", joked Sokka sarcastic to his sister.

Both girls looked annoyed at Sokka, and Katara answered back also sarcastic: "You're hilarious."

 "I'll try it!", yelled Aang excitedly.

Surprised and curious his friends looked at how the Avatar with his staff jumped down from Appa's head towards the clouds. 

Katara, Hua and Sokka popped their heads over the rim of the saddle, looking down in the direction Aang went.

The Avatar vanishes in a cloud.

Katara looks somewhat worried, Hua has an eyebrow raised, while Sokka gazes wide-eyed at the point where Aang vanished. 

When he leans over to search the sky, Aang comes back up from behind them on his glider. 

The siblings and Hua turn around as they hear the snapping noise of Aang's glider being closed, and they watch how the airbender plops down on the saddle, his legs spread apart and a big smile on his face. 

He was dripping wet.

"Turns out, clouds are made of water.", tells them Aang happily, before he breaths in deeply and slams his balled, right fist against his stretched left hand, creating an expanding air ball around him in the process, drying himself off. 

As Aang leans back to rest on both his hands, he contently looks at Momo and Jaiyi, whose furs got all fluffed by Aang's airbending.

"Cute.", chirps Hua to the two animals.

The Kyuubi yips offended, she wasn't cute, she was a force of nature, while Momo chitters away shy.

It's then that Katara calls for their attention, all look where she is pointing.

The Daimon feels sick to her stomach as she sees the black land before them.

It was like a huge ugly scar in the forest.

They let Appa land so they could examine it better.

Aang and Hua look devasted at the destruction before them, neither hearing Katara and Sokka talk.

The Avatar and Daimon have to fight tears.

Who would do this?

Why would they do this?

What was the reason for this senseless act of violence against nature?

How many trees and animals died?

Hua is the first who falls to her knees, gripping the burned earth between her palms.

It's like she hears the earth scream, the cries of the trees, the pleas of the animals.

Tears fall from her green eyes, wetting the ground before her.

Aang was right beside her on his knees.

He knows that as Daimon, she feels the negative emotions of this place more strongly than he does. However, that doesn't mean he doesn't feel and understands. 

Carefully, he puts his hand beside her to comfort her and himself, letting her know that he understands what she feels and that he is there for her.

This little skin contact was like a balm for Hua's anguished soul. Aang was the only one who truly understood what was going through her head because the same thoughts were in his.

"Why would anyone do this?", speaks Hua their thoughts aloud. "How could we let this happen?"

"Hua, you didn't let this happen. Neither Aang. It has nothing to do with you.", tries Katara to comfort them.

However, Aang and Hua shake their heads.

"Yes, it does. It's the Avatar's and Daimon's job to protect nature. But neither of us knows how to do our job.", tells Aang.

The Daimon wipes away her tears, nodding in agreement.

"That's why we're going to the North Pole.", reminded them Katara. "To find you guys a teacher."

"Yes, a waterbending teacher.", huffed Hua. "But there's no one who can teach me how to be the Daimon and Aang to be the Avatar. Monk Gyatso said that Daimon Lixue and Avatar Roku would help us."

"The Avatar and Daimon before you? They died over a hundred years ago; how are you supposed to talk to them?", wonders Sokka.

"We don't know.", chorused the current Avatar and Daimon together.

This was more than a big mess, it was a complicated chaos!

Momo snuggled up on Aang's lap, while Jaiyi licked Hua's cheek, they felt that their master's needed comfort.

They pet their animal companions in thanks, but it doesn't help them from feeling bad.

If they hadn't run away so long ago, maybe all this didn't need to happen?

They are at fault for what the world is going through.

Katara notes how the two children were sinking and sinking deeper into their desperation.

She needed something to help them.

So she looked around, till she found something.

The waterbender calls out to them asking if they are ready to get cheered up.

They disagree and get for that each an acorn smacked against their heads.

Naturally, Hua asks her best friend offended how this should cheer them up?! This was the opposite of it.

Of course, Sokka finds it funny, but he gets an acorn to the head too. He admits he deserved it.

With a smile, Katara kneels down beside Hua and Aang and shows them her hand full of acorns.

She tells them how any acorn here will one day be a big tree, so the forest will return to its former glory. Making all animals return.

The waterbend gives each child an acorn.

Thoughtful the Avatar and Daimon look at the acorns in their hands. 

Katara was right. 

One day it would be again a forest full of life.

They shouldn't lose hope.

The Avatar and Daimon thank their friend, who gives them a smile. Her smile fell as she saw a man approaching.

"Hey, who are you?", ask him Sokka distrustful.

"When I saw the flying bison and the Kyuubi, I thought it was impossible! But, those markings ... are you the Avatar and the Daimon, children?", ask the man in a desperate tone.

Aang and Hua look to Katara, who nods. 

They nod.

"My village desperately needs your help!"

The man's name was Kay-fon and he led them urgently to Senlin Village. They arrived at sunset and saw that the village had suffered some damage. 

It was clear that the village had been partially destroyed, but who was responsible for it? 

Kay-fon led them to the central building where the villagers had gathered, and the village elder stepped forward to greet them.

"So, the rumours of your return are true! It is the greatest honour of a lifetime to be in your presences."

Hua and Aang bowed in greeting.

"Nice to meet you too!", says Aang.

"How can we be of assistance?", adds Hua.

The village elder seemed unsure, but Kay-fon reminded him that the Avatar and Daimon were their only hope. He explains to them how for a few days by sunset a spirit monster attacked the village.

It was Hei Bai, the black and white spirit.

Sokka wants to know if they have an idea, why Hei Bai is attacking them.

"We do not know, but each of the last three nights, he has abducted one of our own.", explains the village elder. "We are especially fearful because the winter solstice draws near."

"What happens then?", wonders Katara.

It's Kay-fon who answers: "As the solstice approaches, the natural world and the Spirit World grow closer and closer until the line between them is blurred completely."

"Hei Bai is already causing devastation and destruction. Once the solstice is here, there's no telling what will happen.", tells the village elder fearful.

Rightfully Aang and Hua want to know what they should do. They never have handle spirits.

Kay-fon just says since Avatar and Daimon are together the great bridge between man and spirits they can surely handle the problem.

Side-eyeing each other Aang and Hua wonder how to explain they have no idea what to do..

Thankfully Katara grasped them by the hands to talk with them over a window.

"Hua, Aang, you seem a little unsure about all of this."

"We have zero ideas what to do, Katara.", admins Hua, while Aang nods along. "There was and is none who could us teach this Spirit World Mambo-Jumbo!"

"What do you plan on doing?", ask Katara her best friend.

"I don't know, something. Aang help me here!"

"Erm...Maybe whatever we have to do will just ... come to us?"

"Really reassuring.", sasses Sokka.

Katara hits his side with her elbow for that. Her brother whines a bit and looks at her in betrayal.

"I think you can do it, Hua and Aang.", gives them Katara a kind and reassuring smile.

Sokka has the same face and agrees.

A short pause and then he declared: "We're all going to get eaten by a spirit monster."

Again Katara elbow meets his side.

***

Sunset approaches fast.

Unsure Aang and Hua walk out of the central building, looking around the small village.

"Hello, Spirit? Can you hear me?", calls Aang out. "This is the Avatar speaking and the Daimon is here too. We're here to try to help stuff."

"Yes, would you like to tell us your problem with this village? I'm sure we can resolve this without violence.", adds Hua, scratching her head.

They feel both so clueless.

Were they doing the right thing?

The sun sets and night falls.

"The sun has set. Where are you, Hei Bai?", wonders Aang.

He looks at Hua, who shrugs.

They mumbled to each other what they should now do and say, till they agreed on something.

"Spirit Hei Bai, as Daimon and Avatar, we hereby ask you to please leave this village in peace.", calls Hua out in the night.

No answer.

Aang spins his staff and sticks it down, in apparent authority, while Hua stands as straight as she can, trying to look authority.

They wait a few seconds, then look at each other.

"Think it worked?", mumbles Aang.

"Seems like it.", mumbles Hua back. "Let's go back to the central building."

Together they walk away. 

Behind them, however, the Hei Bai fades into the real world. 

He walks right behind Aang and Hua, who sense him and turn around.

Damn, the spirit looks like something out of a nightmare!

Hua has to gulp down in fear, while Aang tries to speak to Hei Bai.

The spirit doesn't even let him finish and releases a burst of energy at them.

Hai Bai moves past them, starting to wreak havoc, smashing buildings and destroying a tower with energy.

Dumbfound the Avatar and Daimon look at this before they move towards Hei Bai.

"Mister Hei Bai, spirit, please let's talk!", begs Hua. "I'm sure we can resolve this without property destruction!"

"Please, would you stop destroying things and listen? We are trying to do our job as a spirit bridge! Excuse me, would you please turn around?", ask him Aang.

They get ignored by the spirit, who just happily destroys another building.

"Okay that's it!", growls Hua. With the help of her earthbending, she positions herself between Hei Bai and the next house on his must-destroy-anything list.

"Stop!", shouts Hua loud as Aang joins her on her platform.

He raises his staff and she gets into a bending stance.

"We command you to stop!", yell the Avatar and Daimon together.

For a second Hua swerves Hei Bai just deadpans at them in utter boredom, before he hits them and sends them flying to the roof of another building.

They land in a heap.

Autsch this hurts!

That's when Sokka joins them, attacking Hei Bai with his boomerang.

It doesn't even scratch the spirit.

Hua and Aang call out to Sokka to leave, but the older boy tells them they will fight together against the spirit.

Before anyone can say anything Hei Bai grips Sokka in one of his hands and races out of the village.

"Sokka!", shout Aang and Hua together in fear and worry for their friend.

Fast Aang opens his glider, holding a hand out to Hua. She understands and wraps her amr around his shoulder, while his goes around her hips. Their free hands grip each a side of the glider.

Together they push the glider off the ground and fly after Hei Bai and his prisoner.

Flying together on a glider wasn't new to Aang and Hua. 

When Aang was little Monk Gyatsu took him with him and Gyatsu took Hua often on a flight too.

Just, they two together have never done it.

It was way too much physical contact for them since they couldn't stand each other.

However now that they had a sort of truce and also a friend to rescue they flawlessly flow the glider together.

Strangely it was like they had done this a 1000 times. They needed no words from the other to know what do to.

Maybe they have done this kind of partner flight in a lot of their former lives.

It was an explanation.

Whatever, they had more important things do to than wonder, how they could fly together without problems.

They needed to rescue Sokka!

"Aang! Hua! Over here! Help!", shouted the older boy for them.

"Hang on, Sokka!", called Aang back.

"We are here!", added Hua.

Hua pulls out one of her hands, trying to free Sokka. 

Sokka grunts, trying to reach her. 

However, before she can grab him, the spirit fades away, taking Sokka with it. 

Suprised Hua and Aang shout and fall in front of a bear-like statue, getting knocked out.

A while later Avatar and Daimon awake with a groan.

They look around for Hei Bai and Sokka, but sadly they are nowhere to be seen.

"We failed.", states Aang disappointed in them.

Hua signs loudly and rubs her face.

She can't cry right now.

"Aang, let's go back. Staying here will not help anyone.", reminds the Daimon.

Well, he can't disagree with that.

Defeat the two children and try to fly the glider together, but nothing.

Huh?

What was going on?

That's when the sun finally rises behind them and they see they have turned blue!

Astonished Hua looks at her blue ghostly hands, while Aang shouts they are in the spirit world.

Yeah, this does make sense.

"What are we supposed to do?", wonders Aang. "Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue, how can we talk to you?"

Hua stops looking at her hands and shouts to the sky too: "Please if you hear us, help us Lixue and Roku!"

Out of nowhere, they hear the cry of a bird followed by a loud huff.

Surprised they turned in that direction and saw a phoenix and dragon flying towards them!

If they weren't in the spirit world they would wonder how this was possible.

Phoenixes and dragons were extinct!

"That's definitely not Sokka.", says Aang and tries to get Hua to run away with him, but she shakes his hand off. "Hua, what?"

"Aang, they seem familiar.", she tells him. "Don't you feel it too?"

The phoenix and dragon land before them.

When she was little her mother told her that once phoenixes came in all sizes, this one was big enough to carry at least two people on his back.

"You two don't know where Sokka is, do you?", ask them Hua.

She knows she can trust these two sacred animals.

The phoenix touches his forehead with hers, while the dragon reaches out with a whisker to Aang's forehead.

Both see different but similar things. A beautiful elderly water tribe woman flying on the back of the phoenix and an elder fire nation man on the back of the dragon.

They know these people!

"You're Avatar Roku's animal guide!"

"And you are Daimon Lixue one!"

"Just like Appa and Jaiyi are for us!", the humans choruse together.

"We need to save our friend and we don't know how!", explains Aang. "Is there some way for us to talk to Roku and Lixue?" 

Fang, the dragon and Qinyan, the phoenix understand them and lower themselves so they can be riding.

Hua gets on Qinyan and Aang on Fang.

Together with their passengers, they fly to the only place, where the current Avatar and Daimon can talk to their predecessors.

Qinyan and Fang take them to a temple on an unknown crescent-shaped island. 

They fly into the temple and toward the roof.

"Hey, what are you doing?", screams Aang worried at Fang.

"Aang calm down, we are spirits, I highly doubt walls are a problem now!", reminds Hua.

And she was right as they flew right through the roof and into a mysterious room.

The interior was a beautiful mix of Fire Nation and Water Tribe, reflecting the perfect harmony which could exist between the two elements and nations.

Within is a celestial calendar and there are statues of Roku and Lixue holding hands.

Confused Aang and Hua dismount the sacred animals.

"I don't understand, this is just a statue of Roku and Lixue.", tells Aang Fang and Qinyan.

Both animals again reach for the children showing them a vision of a coment.

"Is that what Lixue and Roku want to talk to us about? A comet? When can we talk to them?", asks Hua.

She has a bad feeling about this comet.

Fang moves his head, allowing a light beam to appear. This is just to the right of Roku and Lixue's statue. 

With another feeler press and a forehead touch, the current Avatar and Daimon see a vision of the sun setting and rising repeatedly, and the light closing in on Roku and Lixue.

"It's a calendar, and the light will reach Roku and Lixue on the solstice! So, that's when we'll be able to speak them?", wants Aang to know if they understood right.

The dragon breathes an apparent yes, while the phoenix chirps in agreement.

Aang and Hua tell the mythical beings that they can't wait that long and need to save Sokka now.

Understanding this the sacred beasts let the kids mount them again and fly with them away from the temple.

They bring them to the bear statue from before.

Aang and Hua see their bodies in meditation on top of the bear statue, as Fang and Qinyan fly through the statue and the Avatar and Daimon are back in their bodies.

"Okay, now that was some trip.", groans Hua, holding her head.

She feels a bit dizzy.

The Avatar agrees with her and both decide to fly back to Senlin Village.

It's nearly night, so that means Hei Bai will appear soon.

Maybe now they can stop him and get somehow Sokka back.

Katara stands outside the center building and notices their return. They land and Katara runs up to them.

"You're back!", relieved she hugs the younger ones. "Where's Sokka?"

"I'm not sure ...", admins Aang.

***

The evening gives way to night.

Hua and Aang await at the entrance for the Hei Bai. 

After some time, they give up and return to the center building. 

Just as they exit, however, the spirit appears to their left. 

Aang throws up an air shield and Hua an earth wall to stop its attack.

Worried Katara shouts for them to run away, but calm Aang and Hua touch Hei Bai's head, seeing a panda lurking behind the nightmarish form.

Now they understand.

Hei Bai is the spirit of this forest and is angry because of its distraction. They tell him, they understand, and they feel the same, but Katara has given them hope again that the forest will regrow.

Aang shows Hei Bai an acorn and leaves it at his feet. 

The spirit picks it up and reverts to the panda form. 

He walks away peacefully. 

As Hei Bai exits, a series of bamboo branches grow, and three villagers and Sokka emerge from it.

Katara runs to her brother and embraces him, while other villagers embrace their loved ones.

"What happened?", wonders Sokka confused.

"You were trapped in the Spirit World for 24 hours!", explains his sister. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I seriously need to use the bathroom!"

Sokka waddles away, displaying a nauseated look. She gives him an unsure gaze.

The village elder thanked Aang and Hua for their assistance and asked how they could repay them. 

Upon returning from his bathroom break, Sokka suggested that they could use more supplies and money. 

Katara scolded him, but Sokka reminded her that they really needed these resources. 

The village elder had no issue with their request and felt honoured to help them on their journey.

"I'm so proud of you, Hua and Aang.", smiles Katara at them like a proud mom. "You figured out what to do, all on your own."

"We had actually some help.", corrects Hua.

Aang nods in agreement.

"And there's something else."

"What is it?", asks Sokka.

"We need to talk to Roku and Lixue and I think we found a way to contact their spirits."

"That's great!", states Katara happy.

Her best friend and Aang had really struggled to find a way to talk to their predecessors.

"Creepy, but great.", can't Sokka help himself but add.

He may have been in the Spirit World or whatever, however this whole Avatar-Daimon Mambo-Jumbo was not his thing.

"There's a temple on a crescent-shaped island and if we go there on the solstice, Hua and I will be able to speak with them.", explains Aang.

"But the solstice is tomorrow!", reminds Katara.

"That's right, but there is a bigger problem. The island is in the Fire Nation!", tells them Hua.

The siblings grow fearful, while the Avatar and Daimon just seem determined.

Whatever may be, they needed to go there by any means!

Previous

Next

Yin and Yang: Book 1.08

Balance is a key aspect in the world, so why shouldn’t the Avatar have an opposite?

In a world where Raava and Vaatu merge with humans, the Avatar and the Daimon try to keep the peace between the four nations.

Aang and Hua are the current incarnations, but wake up 100 years in the future.

How will these two learn all four elements in one year and defeat the Fire Lord?

I couldn’t wait to post Part 2 of Winter Solstice so here you go!

Enjoy and please comment, please, please, please!

Book 1.08: Winter Solstice, Part 2

Water. 

Earth. 

Fire. 

Air. 

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. 

Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. 

Only the Avatar and Daimon, masters of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed them most, they vanished. 

A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar and Daimon, an airbender named Aang and an earthbender named Hua. 

And although his airbending and her earthbending skills are great they have a lot to learn before they’re ready to save anyone. 

But I believe Aang and Hua can save the world.

In the early morning hours in Senlin Village, you could see four figures trying to leave the village.

Well, it was two humans, Aang and Hua with Appa, the flying bison and Jaiyi, the kyuubi, trying their best to get their animal companions moving.

“Let's go, Appa! Come on, boy!”, whisper-shouted Aang, pulling the reins.

“Jaiyi, be a good girl, shrink!”, begged Hua, trying to get her ninetails to turn into her fox cub form and not stay in her big fighting form. Like this, she couldn’t fit on Appa’s saddle.

Nonetheless, none of the two animals listen to their masters. 

They refused to obey since they didn’t like to leave people behind.

This realized the two children at the same time.

“Look, I'm sorry, but Katara and Sokka aren't coming to the Fire Nation with us.”, told Aang sadly.

Hua frowned, giving Appa and Jaiyi a pet.

“We don’t like it either, but if anything happened to them, we would never forgive ourselves.”

“So get your big butt off the ground, Appa!”

“And you Jaiyi shrink!”

“And then let’s go!”, chorused the Avatar and Daimon together.

This earned them unimpressed looks from Appa and Jaiyi. Both sit down on their butts, refusing to move.

“Thanks for nothing your useless fluff balls.”, groaned Hua.

Why did they have to be so stubborn?!

Suddenly Sokka called out to them, his voice full of sass: “I think the useless fluff balls are trying to tell ya something.”

Surprised and startled Hua and Aang turned towards the right to reveal a collection of Senlin villagers, with Katara and Sokka standing in the front.

“Please don't go, Hua and Aang. The world can't afford to lose you two to the Fire Nation. Neither can I.”, plead Katara desperate to them.

These two were her rays of hope. 

Hope was the only thing which had kept Katara going on for years in the cold lonely nights when she missed her mother and worried for her father.

Now the world had a chance for peace if Hua and Aang ended the war and the waterbender would be damned if she let anything happen to them!

Guilty Hua and Aang look at Katara before they look at each other. 

They see the vision of the comet Fang and Qinyan showed them clearly before their eyes.

Neither of them wanted to hurt their precious people, especially Katara, however…

“But we have to talk to Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue to find out what our vision means!”, argued Aang back.

“We need to get to the Fire Temple before the sun sets on the solstice. That's today!”, added Hua.

Aang airbends himself atop Appa's head, while Hua earthbend herself on the saddle.

If Jaiyi wouldn’t come, she wouldn’t force her anymore, but she needed to go.

As Appa stands up, Jaiyi, Katara and Sokka run to stand before the bison, preventing him from moving any further.

“We're not letting you two go into the Fire Nation, Hua and Aang.”, scolded Katara.

“At least, not without your friends.”, told them Sokka grinning. “We got your back.”

Jaiyi yips in agreement.

Aang and Hua can clearly see how their friends won’t take no for an answer, that’s why they tried to leave in secret in the first place.

“This will probably be the most dangerous thing we ever did!”, reminded them Hua.

However, the water tribe siblings just grinned, saying danger was their second name.

This made the Avatar and Daimon laugh.

Well, if their friends were so stubborn, they would probably follow them somehow.

Better they stayed together then.

So Hua earthbended the water tribe siblings and Jaiyi, who finally was in her fox cub form, to Appa's saddle, while Momo made himself cosy on Aang's shoulder.

The Senlin Village leader hands Aang some supplies reminding them how long their trip to Crescent Island was and wishes them good luck in their quest.

Aang wants to thank him for their hospitality and help, but the man just yells for them to go, go, go!

And that’s what they do.

Appa soars up into the sky, next destination: Crescent Island!

***

Daylight has come. 

The flying bison flies over the ocean, while his passengers all watch the ocean fearfully.

“Come on, boy, we've got a long way to go. Faster!”, encourages Aang his bison.

Appa lets out a growl and does as Aang said.

Katara, Hua and Jaiyi huddle together, to comfort each other, but Hua can’t stop herself from letting out her thoughts: “Oh spirits, this is so bad. If a Fire Nations ship sees us we will get roasted nicely!”

“Hey, I’m the pessimist here.”, says Sokka, petting her head to calm her down. “Don’t steal my job.”

A nervous laugh escapes Hua.

Katara kisses her cheek, normally Hua would blush up a storm, but her nerves prevent her from doing so.

“It will be okay. We will manage.”, reassured Katara.

It’s like the universe wants to prove her wrong since Hua sees how a Fire Nation ship is now on their tail.

“What about that?!”, she shouts.

“Aang. We've got trouble!”, calls Katara back to him.

She tried her hardest not to freak out since Hua needed her, yet it was difficult.

“Yeah! And it's gaining, fast!”, adds Sokka.

The next minutes in their lifes were nerve-wracking for Team Avatar-Daimon.

Not only did Prince Zuko shoot stinky fireballs at them, also a barricade was before them and attacking them too.

Aang had trouble manoeuvre Appa around all the flying fireballs.

At one point the passengers had to put out small embers from Appa fur.

It was pure and utter chaos!

Their wild ride ends finally when Aang airbends forward off of Appa's head. He uses a powerful airbending kick, and the flaming boulder, which was coming towards them, explodes in a large smoky blast. 

The Avatar falls back to Appa's head, Katara, Hua and Sokka grabbing him. 

Now Appa soars safely over the blockade, passing them.

“We made it!”, celebrates Aang.

Meanwhile, the Daimon and water tribe siblings look onward in horror.

They were really in the Fire Nation.

Oh Spirits!

At least the rest of their flight was calm.

And boring.

For hours and hours, they flow over the ocean.

Hua was sure if people could die of boredom, they all would be dead right now.

She lays like a starfish on the saddle, Sokka and Katara copy her, while Jaiyi has fallen asleep on her stomach.

Aang and Momo were slouched on Appa's head and the poor bison seemed to get more tired every second.

“Aang, are we there yet?”, calls Hua out to him.

“No, not now.”

A few seconds pass.

“How about now?”

“No, still no Crescent Island in sight.”

Again a few seconds pass.

“Now?”

“No, Hua.”

She lets out a huff and dramatically drapes an arm over her eyes.

“That’s how I’m going to die….from utter boredom. What a way to go.”, mumbled Hua, but everyone heard her. Agreeing groans from all around. That’s when she realizes something important. “Wait if I die now I get reincarnated into the Fire Nation!”

“Yeah, don’t do that.”, deadpans Sokka at her.

“You got it boss.”, she answered jokily back.

At least it made Katara and Aang snort.

Silence again comes over the group.

Somehow she must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew it was sunset and Aang shouted: “There it is! The island where Roku's dragon took me.”

Finally!

Appa lands at the base of a stone bridge leading up to the island's mountain. 

The bridge ends at an elegant, multi-story Fire Temple mixed with Water Tribe decorations. 

Lava is flowing beneath the bridge and the air is thick with steam. 

Aang stands by Appa's head, and Katara and Hua stand at the bison's side. 

Sokka is stretching further away.

Aang praises Appa for getting them all safely there, while Katara and Hua rub his belly.

Katara cooes at Appa how he must be tired, strangely Sokka thinks she was talking to him and tells her he was ready to beat up some firebenders.

When her realizes with whom his sister was talking, Sokka lies and says he was talking to Momo.

The lemur critters in confusion.

Since the temple was way too small for Appa, he would wait for them and Team Avatar-Daimon with Momo and Jaiyi made their way over to it.

Soon they stand before the temple and hide behind a wall. You could never be too careful.

Better look for hostile firebenders.

“I don't see any guards.”, whispered Sokka.

“The Fire Nation must have abandoned the temple when Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue died.”, was Katara's guess.

“Let’s get inside, it’s almost sundown.”, murmured Hua.

Aang nodded.

“Yes, we better hurry!”

The group leaps over the wall and charges for the front door. After they are inside the temple they tip-toed through an enormous chamber with fire and water-decor columns.

“Wait.”, stops Sokka the group. “I think I heard something.”

Turning around, they see five men standing in the hallway dressed in red, with a blue sash around their waists and tall hats.

“We are the Fire Sages.”, announced the Sage in the middle, the Great Fire Sage. “Guardians of the temple of the Avatar and Daimon.”

“Great! I am the Avatar and she here is the Daimon!”

“We know.”

Without a warning, the sages attack them with fire blasts!

What?!

What was going on?!

Thankful Aang can reflect the fiery attack with his airbending. He yells at his friends to run, he would hold them off.

They didn’t need to be told twice.

So they run around the temple hallways in the hope of losing the Fire Sages, Aang joins back up with them and then they reach a dead-end.

Awesome!

A Fire Sage was coming towards them.

Even better.

“I don't want to fight you! I am a friend.”, promised the Fire Sage.

Angry Sokka tells him that firebenders aren’t their friends.

Jaiyi jumps forward to protect them, growing into an adult fox. Her hackles are raised and her nine tails wander around aggressively.

Aang and Hua stand beside her, getting into bending stances.

The Fire Sages wanted them, not Katara and Sokka, they would protect their friends!

This Fire Sage steps toward the Avatar and Daimon, before dropping to his knees and pressing his palms to the floor in submission. 

This startles the children and Jaiyi.

“I know why you're here, Avatar and Daimon.”

“You do?”, chorus Aang and Hua together in disbelief.

“Yes.” The Fire Sage rises from the floor to stand again. “You wish to speak to Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue. I can take you to them.”

Sceptically Aang asks how.

In answer, the Fire Sage slides back a lamplight on the wall. He places his palm on the wall and focuses firebending into this location to open a secret passage.

“This way.”

That’s when they hear the Great Fire Sage hollering to the others to find them and their ally Fire Sage begs them to hurry inside the secret passage.

Hua and Aang exchange a look with one another, asserting each other's belief to trust this firebender.

Well, they don’t have really a choice, do they?

They enter first, Jaiyi and Momo right behind them, then Katara and Sokka and lastly the Fire Sage who closes the secret passage.

They are now in a cave, lava flowing down under them and follow the Fire Sage who tells him his name, Shyu.

“Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue once called this temple their home. Together they formed these secret passages out of the magma.”, explained Shyu to the group as they made their way through the caverns.

“Did you know them?”, asks Aang curious.

“No. But my grandfather knew them. Many generations of Fire Sages guarded this temple long before me. We all have a strong spiritual connection to this place.”

“Is that how you knew we were coming?”

“A few weeks ago, an amazing thing occurred. The statue of Avatar Roku; its eyes began to glow! Then moments later the eyes of Daimon Lixue.”

Katara reminds them how Roku's eyes had glowed too, when they were in the Southern Air Temple as Aang had entered Avatar State. Then Hua got into Daimon State to calm him down, it was only logical that the Daimon Statues light up just like the Avatar’s.

Shyu agreed and said that’s how they knew how Aang and Hua had returned.

“I just don’t get it.”, began Hua. “If you Sages are devoted to this temple and to the Avatar and Daimon, then why did the others attack us?”

“Things have changed. In the past, the sages were loyal only to the Avatar and Daimon. When Roku and Lixue died, the sages eagerly awaited for the next Avatar and Daimon to return. But they never came.”

Immediately the old feelings of guilt arose in Aang and Hua.

They had let down people again.

Sokka mocked them humorously that they only were 100 years too late.

For that, he got twin scowls and Jaiyi who growled at him.

Shyu continues to explain how the Sage lost hope that the Avatar and Daimon would return. Then when Fire Lord Sozin began the war, they were forced to follow him.

“I never wanted to serve the Fire Lord.”, confessed Shyu. “When I learned you two were coming, I knew I would have to betray the other sages.”

“Thank you for helping us.”, chirps Aang happily, while Hua bows in gratitude. “We won’t forget this.”

The Fire Sage smiles at them, leading the group to a set of stairs. Following them they would reach the sanctuary and when the light reached the statues of Roku and Lixue they could talk to them.

Shyu slides back a secret tile and they climb into the outer sanctuary. 

Massive columns with dragon and phoenix statues atop them line the room. 

An immense door is before them with a device holding five open-mouthed dragons, over them a phoenix with spread wings and waves artfully encircled them.

“No!”, gasped Shyu.

“Shyu, what's wrong?”, asks Aang.

“The sanctuary doors, they're closed!”

“Can't you just open them with firebending?”, wonders Katara. “Like you opened that other door?”

“No. Only a fully realized Avatar or Daimon is powerful enough to open this door alone. Otherwise, the sages must open this door together, with five simultaneous fire blasts.”

Unsure what to do now, they all looked around.

There had to be another way!

That’s when Sokka had an idea.

It’s a trick he had learned from his dad.

They need to seal the lamp oil inside five animal skin casings, Shyu lights the oil-soaked twine and ta-da! 

Fake firebending!

Katara and Hua are impressed with Sokka and Shyu agrees that it might actually work.

The children, Sokka with Jaiyi and Katara with Momo, hide behind the columns, as Shyu gets ready to light the twine.

He reminds the Avatar and Daimon how the other Sage would hear the explosion, so they had to hurry and enter the sanctuary.

“It's almost sunset.”, notes Katara. “Are you two ready?”

“Definitely.”, reassured Aang.

“Ready as I ever will be!”, vowed Hua.

Shyu thrusts his finger forward, sending a small flare racing across the door to light all five bags at once. 

He hurries to take cover. 

There is an intense explosion, producing a lot of smoke. Aang and Hua burst forward and ran for the door. 

The Avatar and Daimon strain to open the door, which has not budged by an inch.

“They're still locked!”, they shout disappointed.

The water tribe teen was right with them, as all stepped from their columns.

Pissed off Aang airbends currents at the door, hollering: “Why, won't, it, open?!”

“Aang, calm down!”, demanded Hua, holding his shoulders. “Airbending at it won’t work. Seems like we came here for nothing.”

A groan leaves the Avatar’s mouth.

“I don't get it. That firebending looked as strong as any firebending I've seen.”, thought Sokka aloud.

Suddenly Katara declared him a genius.

All were more than confused.

Smiling Katara told them it didn’t work but it looked like it!

Now she had a plan.

A few minutes later the other Fire Sages reached the sanctuary where Shyu was waiting for them.

He tells them that somehow the Avatar and Daimon entered it, pointing even at two shadows you can see from the crack in the door.

Immediately the Great Fire Sage commands his fellow Sages to open the door, they couldn’t risk the current Avatar and Daimon contacting Roku and Lixue.

Hua and Aang slide into position behind nearby columns as the five sages firebend the door locks open. 

As the door opens, a sooty Momo and Jaiyi are revealed sitting on the floor. 

Jaiyi shakes herself free from the soot, while Momo sneezes, blowing the soot off himself.

“It's the Avatar's lemur and the Daimon’s Kyuubi. They must have crawled through the pipes! We've been tricked!”, shouts the Great Fire Sage, but too late.

The kyuubi turns big enough to sit on him and Momo leaps atop the Great Fire Sage's head and clings to his hat. Katara charged forward, pulling a nearby sage's tunic over his head to blind him. 

Sokka grabs the lower skirt of a sage's outfit, lifting it completely over his body to cover his face.

Shyu grabs the last free sage and hauls him into his grip, pinning him.

“Now, Aang! Hua!”, shouted Shyu.

A moment of silence.

Now Katara calls for them to hurry.

But to the shook of Aang and Hua's friends and allies, Prince Zuko comes forth from behind a column.

He somehow manages to pin with one arm each of Hua and Aang's arms behind their backs.

“The Avatar and Daimon are coming with me!”

More he can’t say, because Jaiyi turns into her fighting Kyuubi form and knocks with all her tails the enemy sages down.

Then she tackles Zuko to the ground, growling in his face.

So she freed Hua and Aang, who didn’t waste time and raced into the sanctuary.

Everyone looks away as the door seals with a blinding flash of white and orange light. 

Inside, Aang and Hua stand around and look up at the tall statues of Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue. 

A beam of red sunlight enters the room and strikes a glistening red jewel held by the statues.

Both children look confused around.

“And now?”, asked Hua.

“I don’t know.”, admins Aang. “The light hits the statues and we talk to Roku and Lixue.”

“But nothing is happening!”

“Please Avatar Roku and Diamon Lixue talk to us!”, beg Aang and Hua together.

Roku's statue turns red and Lixue’s blue as sunlight engulfs them. 

His eyes glow white and hers orange.

Smoke fills the room. 

When the white smoke dissipated Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue walked up to them arm in arm.

They aren’t any more in the sanctuary but on a mountaintop with clouds around them.

“Welcome Hua and Aang.”, greets them Lixue with a kind smile. “It’s wonderful to meet you finally.”

She is a beautiful aged lady and looks younger than Roku, even if they are the same age. Her clothes are in the classic blue of the Water Tribe with some red accents for the Fire Nation.

“What took you so long?”, adds Roku also with a smile.

He wears typical Fire Nation clothes, but a necklace made out of a shark tooth, clearly Water Tribe, hangs from his throat.

It was nice to see how this married couple integrated the nation of their spouse in their clothing.

Respectfully the current Avatar and Daimon place a fist into a palm, bowing their head to the Avatar and Daimon before them.

“We have something very important to tell you, Aang and Hua.”, begins Roku. “That is why, when you were in the Spirit World, we sent my dragon and Lixue phoenix to find you.”

“Is it about that vision we had? The one of the comet?”, guesses Aang.

“Yes indeed, young Avatar.”, confirmed Lixue.

“What does it mean?”, wanted Hua to know.

Roku explains to the young ones: “One hundred years ago, Fire Lord Sozin used that comet to begin the War. He and his firebending army harnessed its incredible power and dealt a deadly first strike against the other nations.”

“The Air Nomads.”, mumbled Hua and Daimon Lixue nodded.

“So the comet made them stronger?”, summarized Aang.

Avatar Roku confirmed it, even saying it made them stronger than they could imagine.

“But that happened a hundred years ago. What does the comet have to do with the War now?”

Now Lixue took over to explain: “Listen carefully, young ones. Sozin's Comet will return by the end of this summer, and Fire Lord Ozai will use its power to finish the War, once and for all. If he succeeds, even the Avatar and Daimon won't be able to restore balance to the world. Hua and Aang. You must defeat the Fire Lord before the comet arrives.”

That they were shocked was the understatement of the century.

They panic!

“But, but, Lixue I may have started learning airbending, but I don’t make the progress I should, because I should learn fire first! How should I get down water too like this?!”

“Yeah, and I haven't even started learning waterbending! Not to mention earth and fire!”

“Mastering the elements takes years of discipline and practice.”, told them Roku calmly. “But if the world is to survive, you two must do it by summer's end.”

“What if we can't master all the elements in time? What if we fail?”, argues Aang back with Hua rapidly nodding along.

“We have faith in you Hua and Aang because you two mastered it already once and you can do it again.”, reassured Lixue.

This makes the children smile.

“The solstice is ending.”, declares Roku. “We must go our separate ways, for now.”

“But we won't be able to come back to the temple. What if we have questions? How will we talk to you two?”, asked Aang and Hua as one.

Roku and Lixue answer them together: “We are a part of you. When you need to talk to us again, you will find a way.”

The late Avatar and Daimon closed their eyes, showing the current ones what was going on outside the sanctuary.

Firebender, ready to burn them to crisp.

“A great danger awaits you two at the temple. We can help you face the threat. But only if you are ready.”

Hua and Aang who had also closed their eyes open them together.

His a brightly white and his arrows in the same light and hers in a burning orange.

“We are ready!”

The people outside saw how the door glowed bright white-orange once again. 

Smoke streams come through into the room. 

The door unlocks itself, beginning to open. 

As it opens, a blinding white and orange light forces all present to look away.

Admiral Zhao commands his man to attack, while Katara cries out to her friends terrified.

The wall of fire amasses, circling its new hosts as Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue, eyes aglow, are revealed behind the flames, untouched.

In perfect harmony, Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue draw the circling fire together in one motion. 

They send it forward in one powerful wave that sears the room, blasting the offenders off their feet and melting the chains binding Katara, Sokka, Shyu, Jaiyi and Zuko with precision. 

Daimon Lixue and Avatar Roku, turn their glowing glare upon the offending sages. 

The sages panic, all turning to run from their wrath.

“Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue are going to destroy the temple! We have to get out of here!”, implores Shyu the water tribe siblings.

“Not without Hua and Aang!”, countered Katara.

Never would she leave her friends!

Roku and Lixue kneel into a forward strike, melting the floor with a molten firebending trail. 

They steadily lift a hand each, causing the stream of lava below to erupt into maddened explosions. 

The lava soars through the temple, tearing it apart. 

Katara and Sokka huddle together, arm-in-arm, behind a column. 

The destruction ceases momentarily as Roku and Lixue lower their hands, exhaling soundly. 

The solstice's beam of sunlight leaves their statues; their eyes no longer glow. 

As this happens all smoke in the room draws in upon Avatar Roku and Daimon Lixue, their forms disappearing to leaving behind a weary Aang and Hua.

Both fall to their knee, however, Katara catches Aang and Sokka catches Hua before their faces meet the floor.

“We got your backs.”, tells them Sokka.

“Thanks. Where's Shyu?”, wonder the Avatar and Daimon together.

“I don't know.”, admins Katara.

Jaiyi licks Hua's cheek and then Aang’’s before she yips urgently.

They need to leave!

Hua, Aang, Katara and Sokka stare in horror upon seeing the stairwell leading to the exit filled with lava. 

They quickly turn to the only exit; the hole in the wall Roku and Lixue had created. 

There is no escaping, as they are on the top level of the temple.

All four humans gasp and the Kyuubi yips in surprise as they notice Appa and Momo swiftly closing in. 

They run out of the temple, leaping into Appa's saddle.

Time to leave the Fire Nation!

***

The full moon shines down on them, as Aang and Hua, who are sitting side by side on Appa's saddle, look both in desperation at nothing in particular.

What Roku and Lixue told them…

How could they do it?

They were just two dumb kids. 

Two dumb kids who had to save the world before the end of the summer.

At least…they wouldn’t have to do it alone.

Like if they agreed on, their hands find the one of the other and they squeeze.

They needed some reassurance.

That they really weren’t alone in this whole mess.

That their other half would walk the same path as them.

For the first time, both were thankful that they had each other.

How the burden of saving the world in less than a year could change your perspective on things.

Katara and Sokka looked at each other worried for their young friends.

They kneel down behind them and Katara puts a hand on a shoulder each.

Whatever the young Avatar and Daimon had learned, which troubled them so much, the water tribe siblings would support and help them.

Previous

Next

Maiden of the Moon

What if Kokushibo had a pupil, whom he taught the original Moon Breathing before he deserted the Demon Slayer Corps?

Mochizuki Yua was born only for these reasons: To become a Hashira and make her family a respected one in the Demon Slayer Corps.

But if you only live for the expectations of others, who are YOU truly?

What will it take to find yourself?

A long, hard journey awaits.

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Chapter 16: Hashira

Yua’s heart was beating so fast, that she felt it in her whole body. 

Nervous sweat was forming on her forehead, and her hands felt clammy, as she sat in perfect seiza before Oyakata-Sama.

The head of the Demon Slayer Corps just gave her a gentle smile.

It did calm her down a bit.

“My child.”, began he in his soothing voice. “Since you have become part of the Corps you have been an incredible swordsman. Bringing honour to the corps and your family. I heard what outstanding progress you even made these last months. You may be even stronger than dear Noritaka.”

The young woman bowed in thanks to Oyakata-Sama.

“You honour me, Master. It did what was right. Protect humanity and the people who are dear to me from the Demon Treat.”

“You did outstanding well. I fear we would have lost Kyoujurou if it wasn’t for you. Mochizuki Yua, your strength and determination are admirable. So it’s my great honour to raise you to the Rank of Hashira. The second Moon Hashira we ever had. Do you accept this honour and the duties it comes with?”

For a second Yua closed her eyes. 

This was it.

This is what she had worked on her whole life.

First only to make her Grandfather proud and accept her, however, she had started to think for herself.

Thanks to Tanjiro and all the friends she had made.

There was only one answer.

***

Tired Yua opened the door of the Butterfly Mansion.

The whole Mugen Train Mission had been a whole week ago and she may not have any heavy wounds, but she had still had strained herself.

The neck of an Upper Moon was hard!

She was happy to be back at the Butterfly Mansion to get cures and rehabilitation training. She would need it.

“It’s really quiet.”, she noted out loud.

Normally at dinner time, you would hear Inosuke and Rengoku shouting over each other for food/how delicious the food was and Aoi-San chastising them.

Not even Shinobu-Sama's laughter could be heard.

Confused she took off her white-silvery booths and walked to the Dining Room.

Why was it dark in there?

“Hello anyone there?”, she called into it.

Then suddenly the lights flicked on and you could hear loud shouts of Congratulations from every corner.

Astonished Yua looked at the people inside the dining room.

Ema and her friends were holding up a banner with Welcome New Hashira. Aoi, Kanao and a woman with pink-green hair had sparklers in their hands. Shinobu-Sama and the Water Hashira were applauding, while Tanjiro, Rengoku, Inosuke and Zenitsu were throwing confetti into the air. Nezuko was waving around with two little flags with her face on it.

“What the?!”, Yua couldn’t help but shout and laugh at the same time.

“We already heard the news!”, called Shinobu-Sama over, as Yua was stormed by the little girls and Nezuko in a hug. “This is a little party for our newest Hashira!”

“Oh my Tsukuyomi you guys are crazy!”

“You deserved it, young Mochizuki!”, laughed Rengoku.

The little girls chorused a big yeah.

Yua laughed, hugged them and then Nezuko took her hand.

Her sister-in-law dragged her into the room.

In one instant she found herself in the embrace of the unknown pink-green-haired woman.

“Aww, it’s so great to meet you, Yua-Chan!”, cooed the woman. “I’m Kanroji Mitsuri or just Mitsuri the Love Hashira! I heard only good things from Shinobu-Chan and Kyoujurou-Senpai about you! I hope we can be good friends!”

Kanroji Mitsuri made her title Love Hashira all honour, Yua could see it in her pink and red Aura how sincere and loving she was.

She hugged her back.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mitsuri-Chan. I would love to be your friend.”

A little happy Kyaah came out of Mitsuri and she hugged her tighter.

After they let go of each other Shinobu with the Water Hashira stood before her.

The Water Hashira made a little bow in her direction.

He introduced himself as Tomioka Giyuu and gave her his congratulations.

She returned the bow, hoping they would work well together as Hashira.

Then Aoi with Kanao hugged her, Kanao managed even to congratulate her all alone without throwing her coin, which made Yua proud of her.

Rengoku, with his now eyepatch, ruffled her hair and told her he couldn't wait to work with her.

Finally, she reached Tanjiro and the guys.

In the loving arms of her boyfriend, Yua felt at home.

Tanjiro chastely kissed her cheek, telling her how proud of her was and he knew she would become a Hashira.

Nearly anyone in the room awed at them.

Zenitsu and Inosuke gave their congratulations too and finally, they all could sit down to celebrate.

Shinobu-Sama told her to drop the Sama. The Insect Hashira told her the other Hashira couldn’t come, but they sent their congratulations too and would surely meet her in the next few days.

Yua accepted it, what else could she do, Aoi served the food.

The dinner party was filled with laughter and joy. Yua couldn't believe how lucky she was to have such wonderful friends and colleagues. 

She had always been a bit of a loner, but since meeting Tanjiro and his friends, she had found a sense of belonging that she had never experienced before. 

As they ate and talked, the grey-eyed girl felt herself relaxing for the first time in a week. 

The mission on the Mugen Train had been incredibly intense, and she had pushed herself to her limits to protect her friends. But now, surrounded by people who cared about her, she could finally let go of some of that tension.

After dinner, they all gathered in the courtyard to watch fireworks. 

Mitsuri had brought them as a surprise for Yua's promotion, and they were absolutely beautiful. 

As they exploded overhead, Yua felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. 

She was so grateful for everything that had led her to this moment - for her family’s teachings (Besides her Grandfather with his toxins), for Tanjiro's kindness and support, and for all the friends she had made along the way.

As the night wore on and everyone started to drift off to home and/or to bed, Yua found herself walking hand-in-hand with Tanjiro through the gardens behind the mansion. They stopped by a koi pond and watched as the fish swam lazily through the water.

"I'm so proud of you," Tanjiro said softly, breaking their comfortable silence.

Yua smiled down at him. "Thank you."

"You know," he continued after a moment. "I never really believed in fate or destiny or anything like that before I met you."

The girl raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"But now," he went on, "I can't help but feel like we were meant to find each other. Like our paths were always leading us here."

“You know what made me accept being a Hashira? It was the dream I had on the Mugen Train.”, she confessed.

Surprised Tanjiro looked up at her, leaning his head on her shoulder.

“Really?”

She nodded.

“I dreamed of a world where no one in my family had to be a Demon Slayer anymore. All were so happy living their dreams. You and Nezuko were there too, your family also living the best life. I wasn’t sure what I would do, but I know I wanted to be at your side and find out who I am.” 

“You were in my dream too.”, he confessed also. “You and your father had left the Mochizuki to live a simple life. You seemed so happy just to live normal.”

Grinning she kissed his temple.

“This sounds nice, but what I wanted to say is this. All my life I was told I had to become a Hashira to clean the Mochizuki name from the sins of our ancestors. I didn’t believe in the Demon Slayer Cause, because for me it just was a task I had to finish. Now after I saw what a world without demons could be...Now that’s my dream. To kill every last demon so that my family can be free and live their life how they want. To be free myself and choose the path I want to walk in life. That we all are free from them and can live simple but good lives!”

She felt how Tanjiro lay a hand on her cheek, so he could turn her head down to kiss her lips.

They shared a soft, tender kiss.

“This sounds wonderful, dearest.”, told her Tanjiro. “Besides making Nezuko human again, I want this too.”

“So we walk this way together?”

 “Of course!”

Laughing their lips found each other again.

The star twinkled and the moon shone softly down on them.

They continued to walk, hand-in-hand, through the gardens, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. 

As they strolled along, Yua couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. She had achieved her dream of becoming a Hashira, and she was surrounded by people who loved and cared for her. 

It was a feeling she never wanted to let go of. 

As they neared the end of the garden path, Tanjiro stopped and turned to face her. "Yua," he said softly, taking both her hands in his. "I know we've been through a lot together already, but I want you to know that I'm here for you no matter what happens." 

She looked down at him with a pretty smile on her red lips. 

"I know," she whispered. "And I'm here for you too." 

He smiled at her and leaned in for another kiss, this one more passionate than the last. They stayed like that for a few moments before breaking apart and continuing on their way.

As they walked back towards the mansion, Yua felt more confident than ever before. She knew that there would be challenges ahead as a Hashira, but she also knew that with Tanjiro by her side, anything was possible.

Together they would fight to rid the world of demons and create a better future for all those they held dear.

As they walked into the warm glow of the Butterfly Mansion's lights, Yua knew that this was where she belonged - among friends and family who loved and supported her every step of the way.

***

Dear Father,

I’m terribly sorry that I couldn’t write sooner or come home.

The family probably heard how I was raised in Hashira four months ago.

I bet grandfather is gleeful, but I took the position not for him, but for us all.

That one day no Mochizuki has to take a Katana in his hand and fight demons.

With the help of my love and friends, we will rid this world of demons!

I promise you this.

Since I’m a Hashira now, I get the toughest missions in the Corps.

Sometimes alone, sometimes with other Hashira’s.

I found good friends in them like the Love Hashira Kanroji Mitsuri and others who are a special breed like Shinazugawa Sanemi. That guy has no eyebrows, it freaks me a bit out.

But mostly I get along with my Hashira colleagues.

I always return back to the Butterfly Mansion for cures and rehabilitation training, before going back out on missions.

Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke are also back in action.

When we all are back together we train like crazy.

The boys are getting stronger with every day.

I’m proud of them.

Kyoujurou-Senpai has returned home to be with his brother and teach himself swordsmanship with one eye.

It will take a while before he can fight demons again, however, I’m sure he will manage.

The day Tanjiro visited him to search for more clues about the Hinokami Kagura Dance had been something.

Your future son-in-law headbutted the ex-Flame Hashira, Kyoujurou-Senpai's father because he had talked bad about his children.

At least we learned a little more about the Hinokami Kagura, who apparently is Sun-Breathing the first-ever breathing technique from which all others come.

Did you know this?

It’s so crazy to think about it.

Anyway, I hope at home all is good.

When I can manage I will come back with Tanjiro to visit you all.

I miss you all so much.

Besides Grandfather, but you know this.

I will wait for an answer with a hopeful heart.

With Love, your daughter 

***

Frowning Yua stared at the letter she had written. 

It seemed so little, however, she couldn’t tell more about her missions.

Being a Hashira include also being secretive.

Kaguya beside her on the desk cawed.

“You are right my princess.”, mussed Yua, giving the bird pats. “More I can’t do, it’s a wonder that I’m able to write finally a letter. So, off you go.”

She gave her trusted crow the letter and Kaguya flew towards the Mochizuki Estate.

Signing Yua leaned on the chair she was sitting on.

She was as only one from their little group back in the Butterfly Mansion.

The midnight blue-haired beauty hadn’t seen her boyfriend in a good three days, she formally ached for him.

Blushing she scratched a cheek of her.

They were now together for a good six months...Yua felt that she was ready to go the next big step with Tanjiro...they already started to get more handsy with each other...should she talk with him about this matter when he returned?

That’s when she heard a loud ruckus coming from outside the Mansion.

“What the?”, she grasped her Katana and ran out of the room.

As she came nearer the ruckus, she felt familiar Aura’s.

“Tengen?”, she mumbled confused. “What is he doing here, where are his wives?”

Also, she noted happily that Tanjiro and Nezuko were back, as Zenitsu and Inosuke.

“What is going on!”, she shouted as she finally was outside.

The picture before her was priceless.

Ema and her friends hissed at Tengen's pervert. Aoi seemed ready to murder someone, Kanao was unsure but standing protective before the other Butterfly Mansion girls.

Her boyfriend and her two male friends had drawn their Katana at Tengen, while the former Shinobi just deadpanned at them.

“Oh Yua, it’s you.”, greeted her Tengen. “I actually want to have you with me on this mission with these three unflashy guys.”

“What mission and where are you wives?”, she asked back confused.

“The number one spot in Japan that’s dripping with lust and desire, a super-flashy place… the Entertainment District where demons reside.”

Why did Yua get the feeling that it would be a really hard mission?

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