A Change in Power - WT Rank RPG

[Battery]

"Ssht… d-don't talk," Sojun said softly, whispering in her ear. "I love you."

Shila wished desperately she could reply… to even touch him… To let him know she loved him more than anything…

Her breathing was becoming slower and slower as she felt him take her hand in his. She gripped his as tightly as she could, which was not much. Her heart tore as she felt him kiss her forehead, whispering, "Don't give up."

For a brief moment, his hand left hers… but it felt like an eternity. However, her fear was quieted as he took her hand once again, and placed something in it. He closed her hand around it, and Sojun moved it closer to her head. Once more, she felt him kiss her head.

The foreign object was smooth and cool against her hand, and a small piece of cloth tickled her palm. Moving her fingers lightly over the smooth surface, she discovered it wasn’t completely smooth. On it were delicate engravings, swirling around the material. It didn’t take her long to discover what it was; it was a betrothal necklace… and Sojun had made it for her.

Her mind went back to her past and all the times she had spent with him. She remembered the first time she had met him; she had hated him. He was young, self-confident, and a bit full of himself. He tried to help her with every little thing, but because of her horrible trust issues, had refused any and all help from him. However, their superior officers paired them together for an assignment, and she had no choice but to listen to him. As she learned more about him, she grew to appreciate him and his help. The two became fast friends, and Shila forced herself to trust him with the little things.

She remembered the first time he had formally asked her to dinner… more than friends. He seemed a bit hesitant and shy about it, but she accepted. She had no idea how it would go, but she had been curious about it. The whole night went horribly. The two of them couldn’t think of anything to say to each other, and they spent most of the night staring. It wasn’t until a waiter came to their table and slipped on a particularly smooth piece of ice. The food they had ordered had fallen all over them, but they laughed.

She remembered the first time he had kissed her. It was a few weeks after their horrible first, official date, and… he missed. It had been a longer date than normal, and it was a dark moon that night. Instead of hitting the intended target, her lips, he had kissed her chin. She had giggled and then aimed him in the right direction.

She remembered the first time where she had seen him without a shirt. Her cheeks had turned a bright red and her insides had squirmed horribly. After staring for a few moments, she muttered something and walked out of the room. Sojun had laughed the whole time she walked down the hall.

She remembered the night before, the first time she had spent the night at his house. Although they hadn’t done anything extreme, it still surprised her that she even did it. However, she had no regrets about it… it had been the best nights sleep she could remember.

She loved all of these memories and experiences she had shared with Sojun, and she didn’t want them to go away. She loved him, she cared for him… she trusted him more than anyone.

Moaning loudly, her hand closed completely around the necklace. Her eyes opened and she turned to Sojun; her vision was still blurry, but much more focused than it had been. With as much strength as she could muster, she spoke. “S-Sojun?… I l-love you…”

Smiling a bit through the pain, she turned her head to the hand by her head and opened her hand, revealing the betrothal necklace. Her breath hitched in her through, not by the pain, but by it’s beauty. The smooth stone shined in the light, and the carvings were intricately placed. Tears fell as she saw it.

Turning back to Sojun, she smiled as widely as she could. “I love it.”

[OutLaw]

An inch at a time, that's how fast the formation seemed to move as it fought it's way towards the palace steps. The fact that they dared advance while in this formation was a testament to the cohesion and coordination of Kilon's unit. It was named after the octopus-urchin a many armed sea-creature covered with protective spines, not only was this formation used almost exclusively by heavy infantry it almost never moved and often served as the anvil in a double hammer and anvil attack.

Kilon's main objective was to find Sojun and escort him out of the riot but simple marching through the riot looking for him would have proven impossible. If Kilon wanted to find Sojun he would need to get a better look at the entire scene, and the best place to do the was from atop the palace steps. It was slow going but they eventually made it the bottom of the steps. As they reached the bottom of the steps the front of the formation opened and the warriors began to march outwards until they covered the base of the steps. What was once an oval was now a semi-circle that capped off the end of the steps and kept the rioters at bay.

As Kilon turned to run up the steps and get a better view of what was happening he spotted what was almost too good to be true, Sojun was already on the palace steps. "What luck!" He exclaimed "Sojun! Sojun come quickly! We have-" The rest of that sentence was 'to get you out of here' but when he saw that Sojun was kneeling over what appeared to be a wounded Shila he didn't dare to finish it.

For a moment Kilon hesitated, there, lying on death's door step, was the person he blamed for the death of one of his best friends. The last thing he wanted was to help her, had Sojun not been there he simply would have ignored her suffering and let her die. But Sojun was there and he knew that Sojun did lover her, if he hadn't he never would have treated Pooru like he had. And so for Sojun's sake, for the sake of a man who was like a brother to him, Kilon did what he did next, turning he put his hand on the shoulder of one of his benders and signaled for her to follow him up the stairs. Her name was Freya and she was the best medic in Kilon's war-band.

[Nev]

Kilon came to the steps, what litus could only assume was his men surrounded the steps. Litus took Tensu and moved him to teh side. He would be safe, no one would get past the Kilon War-band and no one would go further up the steps then the group of people who eargerly waited for the verdict on shila. He sat Tensu on a ice stump and told him not to move, it was unlikely that someone would find him, and if the did the others would be near enough to save him.A healer from Kilon's war-band was silently ordered forward, with a gesture she made her way to the injured Shila. Litus stood at the side, his skills were useless her, just like Sojun and Ryu. They were not healers, they were people who fought. Altough Litus could do something, the healer would do a much better job. He turned so he didn't have to look at Shila, her face pale from loss of blood. He walked to the side of the palace steps, the riots were still happening but had significantly reduced in size, still it was evidence that the Water Tribe was divided. Litus looked around, he was worried about Shila but he didn't want to see her die if she did. Looking away gave some hope that she would survive. He scanned the riots for anyone who was in trouble but instead of seeing a stranger to help, he saw Arako, a friend.

He jumped from the steps and into the crowd, he didn't have to use his sword to bat away attackers. Litus rushed to Arako. He Knelt down to Arako, he looked like Shila but a bit worse. His skin was almost Grey. Litus felt the man's skin, cold. Cold like the ice that the Water Tribe was built on, cold like the hearts of those that attacked innocent people because of political beliefs. Litus moved Arako to the side, the large riot was not the right resting place for him. The small doll lay in the mans hands and Litus carefully moved him so that it didn't fall. He proped Arako up against a large pot.

"I will come back my friend, you do not desearve to be trampled upon." Litus whispered as if Arako still breathed.
'Coward, you leave your friends as they watch another die, you need to be brave and hope that she doesn't ' He thought making his way towards the steps again.

[WaterBending_Monk]

Moments after Sojun let go of Ryu, he again began to talk to Shila. Shila wasn't looking well. It didn't seem fair. Minutes after this woman was elected as the new chief of the northern water tribe, there was already an assasination attempt. As sad as this made Ryu, it also put much anger and upset in his heart.
Suddenly he heard Sojun in a worried voice, "Ryu, where is the healer!?"

Ryu quickly looked at the crowd to see if he recognized any healers but he didn't see any at all.

Master Ryu then saw Litus leaning over Arako's body in the distance. He was a bit confused when he didn't see Tenus with him. 'What is that man doing? I told him to watch Tensu.' Ryu watched Litus come back towards the stairs. A little annoyed, Master Ryu began to speak to Litus while standing at the top of the stairs. "Litus, I asked you to do a simple task. Just one small task and it looks like you do the opposite. Tensu is only 8 years old. He's just a little boy. Please watch him next time I ask. I know your intentions were well because Arako's body is in the middle of this but we don't need the body of a little boy out there as well.."

Ryu looked around and saw little Tensu sitting on a stump. He looked somewhat safe with some of Kilon's men near him but Ryu was still very protective over him. He was the closest thing he had to a son. "Tensu!" Ryu gestured for Tensu to come to him. Tensu ran over to Ryu and Ryu took his hand. Tensu seemed to be shaking a bit because of the situation in the war chamber. "Are you alright?" Tensu looked at his master and replied, "Yes, I'm ok....but what about Shila?" Tensu's big blue eyes began to water a little as he watched Shila on the ground.

Ryu didn't even notice Kilon and a woman not far behind him were approaching the steps. It seemed as though Kilon had brought some help.

[Conzu]

Sojun held Shila´s hand against his lips and stared at her, hoping and praying that she would survive.
“S-Sojun?… I “ Shila moaned loudly.

Tears of happiness filled his eyes. l-love you…” she smiled through her pain.
“I… know.”, he smiled back and kissed her hand as she opened it.

The man just kept her hand close to his lips, bending over her and waiting for an healer to come. He watched how – even though her pain – Shila admired his betrothal necklace and couldn’t hold back his own tears when he saw Shila’s.

“I love it,” she smiled at him.
Sojun just smiled back and kissed her hand again, “please stay alive to wear it with pride,” he whispered at her.
“Y-You will be the most beautiful bride the North Pole has ever seen,” he smiled at her while holding her hands in both of his.

[Nev]

Ryu's small talk made Litus feel even more guilty. He looked to the floor and muttered a meaningful 'sorry'. He took a seat on the steps waiting for the medic to be done with Shila. There was nothing else happening, the fights were calming down and most of the people were returning home. The place courtyard and steps would soon be empty.

Shila wasn't looking too good and there would be a limited amount of healing that could be done. The rest would be bed rest and being looked after. She wouldn't be able to do any active chief duties for a while, or at least without some pain. He placed his chin in his hands and rested them on his knee's. It was going to be a long wait before he could speak to Shila, that's if she would let him.

[Battery]

Shila’s heart grew as she Sojun smile at her. “Please stay alive to wear it with pride,” he whispered at her.

Her heart broke again at the desperation in his voice; she quietly let a few more tears fall.

“Y-You will be the most beautiful bride the North Pole has ever seen,” he smiled at her while holding her hands in both of his.

No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn’t bring herself to smile back. Her body still suffered small convulsions from the pain in her abdomen, and the pain was once more beginning to overpower her. Through she desperately wanted to, she didn’t know if she could hold on.

Taking a breath, she spoke to Sojun, her words laced with fear, sorrow, and love. “Sojun… You know I want nothing more t-than to be with you… b-but I-”

The pain in her abdomen suddenly gave of a sharp pain that she had not expected. Her eyes shut tightly as she shouted. Her breathing was ragged for a moment as her body tried to recover.

Keeping her eyes shut tightly from the pain that still lingered, she moaned, “I don’t know if I can.”

She more she thought about it, she knew it must tear Sojun apart to see her like this. Blood was everywhere; all over her hands, Sojun’s hands, the steps, and even covering the dress she wore. She felt terrible that the dress that Sojun had given her to wear was ruined, and she hadn’t even worn it for more than an hour.

Pain still running through her body, she gripped Sojun's hand tightly. "I-It hurts..."

[Conzu]

The poor man's heart broke even more when he saw how Shila - even though she fought for her life - she still tried to talk to him.

"Please do-" but he stopped his own sentence because Shila tried to say something.

“Sojun… You know I want nothing more t-than to be with you… b-but I-” her voice, so full of love and fear faded away alittle.

Sojun bit his lips and lowered his head while turning it away when Shila shut her eyes tightly and shouted because of the pain. It broke Sojun on the inside, it was like a drill that was slowly drilling through his heart. On the one hand, he didn't want to see Shila like this, he wanted to run away.. as far as possible. It pained him too much to see her like this. But on the other hand, he didn't want to leave Shila alone, he wanted her to know that he would always be there for her.

“I don’t know if I can,” she moaned while still closing her eyes tightly.
Sojun's eyes were still closed and his head was still turned away as she spoke to him. "Y-you can," he stuttered, holding back his own tears with all of his might. "You must."

'Please Shila, please.. don't leave me..'

"I-It hurts..." she said as she gripped his hands tightly.
Not being able to hold his tears back anymore he turned his head back to Shila and opened his eyes. "A healer is coming."

Muttering another quick prayer to the spirits, he turned to Ryu and the little boy... 'Tensu, right?'

"Boy, come quick," he said almost inaudible and as friendly as his sad voice could bring out, mentioning to Tensu.
"I'll be right back," he said turning back to Shila and kissing her head as he used his bending to wash the blood off her hands.

"Please, hold miss Shila's hands softly," Sojun said to Tensu with teary eyes, gently taking one of the little boy's hands and pulled him towards Shila.

"I'll be back," he said once again to Shila before jumping up and turning around. Running into the crowd pushing random people out of his way. "..healer! Where is a healer?!" he yelled as he ran in direction of Kilon and Freya. "I need a healer!"

[WaterBending_Monk]

Tensu looked at Ryu after Sojun's request to watch over Shila. Ryu nodded to Tensu and the boy went over to where Sojun showed him to go.

The young boy who hasn't seen Shila since the oasis kneeled down to her and held her hand. Tensu started to cry. He didn't want Shila to die. When Tensu became friends with someone, he didn't want them to go away.

"Shila..it's Tensu. P-Please don't..." The boy got choked up. Everytime he looked at Shila he began to cry again. The boy looked out at a nearby window so Shila wouldn't see him crying. He looked down at Shila again. A tear from Tensu's cheek landed on her betrothal necklace. He continued. "D-Don't die Shila...please. I-I just met you." Tensu tightened his grip on Shila's hand.

Master Ryu slowly approached the saddened Tensu who was slowly talking to Shila. She looked so faint. Almost no life on her face. He then kneeled down behind Tensu and whispered something to him. Ryu took his sacred ring off his finger and handed it to Tensu. The boy took the ring and put it on Shila's finger. "S-Shila. I hope this helps. You can't leave m-me. We need a chief who can watch over us...and I need a friend like you to watch over me."

Ryu put his hand on the boys shoulder to comfort him. Tensu's crying seemed to dim down a bit but he did not want let go of Shila's hand.

[OutLaw]

As Sojun left Shila's side and started running towards them Kilon turned to Freya "You go on ahead and do what you can for Shila, I'll catch up in a minute."
"Whatever you say Lon." She replied as she ran to where Shila was laying. "You two are going to have to take a few steps back; I'm going to need some space." She said to Ryu and the boy while she took off her gloves and bent water around her hands. Kneeling down besides Shila the water around Freya's hands began too glow, placing them on Shila's wound and began to carefully repair what damage had been done by the would be assassin.

As Freya was doing this Kilon was trying to keep his friend from going in further. "Where do you think you're going Sojun? Running around and squawking like an arctic hen in this crowed is not going to help her. What you need to do is calm down and think before you run off into a hostile crowd, as my father once said: 'A decision made while a storm of emotion rages rarely leads to a desirable outcome.'"

[Conzu]

From out of the corner of his eyes he saw a woman quickly heading towards Shila. He stopped and turned to look at her. She was wearing an uniform with his patches on it.

Before he could say or do anything he suddenly heard the familiar voice of Kilon.

"Where do you think you're going Sojun? Running around and squawking like an arctic hen in this crowed is not going to help her. What you need to do is calm down and think before you run off into a hostile crowd, as my father once said: 'A decision made while a storm of emotion rages rarely leads to a desirable outcome."

He quickly turned to face Kilon and smiled slightly, but worry and fear were still clearly visible on his face. Fear, not a fear for himself, but the fear of losing the one he loved. "I just wanted to get a healer as fast as possible."

Sojun turned his head to look at Shila and saw how the other woman was kneeling next to her.
"I take it she's one of yours?" he said to Kilon as he began walking towards Shila again.

[Battery]

Shila’s eyes were still shut closed, trying to hold in the pain. However, her heart tore even more than it was when she heard the sound of Sojun’s voice. What he said was hopeful, but his tone was not. She had never heard him sound so desperate and broken.

"A healer is coming."

She was about to reply when she heard him speak quietly to someone else.

"Boy, come quick”

‘Boy?… But w-who?’

"I'll be right back," said Sojun. Her eyes were still closed as he kissed her head, but her heart was beating a mile a minute. Sojun was leaving? He was leaving her? It didn’t make any sense…

Cool water lightly ran over her hands as she heard another person move over to them. "Please, hold miss Shila's hands softly," Sojun said to the newcomer. She suddenly felt a much smaller hand take hold of hers. Though she wanted to, the pain was too strong for her to open her eyes.

"I'll be back." She moaned his name slightly, but nothing that he could hear. She lied there, holding the boy’s hand; her body still felt horrible with all the pain.

"Shila… it's Tensu. P-Please don't..." Her breath hitched as she heard Tensu speak. What was he doing in a place like this? He shouldn’t be here.

“D-Don't die Shila... please. I-I just met you."

She tried to speak to him, do anything, but the pain was overwhelming. Tensu was silent for a moment before she felt him place something on her finger.

"S-Shila. I hope this helps. You can't leave m-me. We need a chief who can watch over us... and I need a friend like you to watch over me."

At this, Shila found the strength to open her eyes and look at Tensu. His small, round face was covered in tears even though he tried so hard to hide it. She took her hand that he was holding, and gripped his tightly. She smiled at him through the pain as she spoke.

“Tensu?… I want y-you to listen to me… I-I’m not going anywhere… I’m going to s-stay right here… w-with you.”

It was then when a young woman ran up and spoke to Ryu, who she had not noticed, and Tensu. "You two are going to have to take a few steps back; I'm going to need some space."

Relief flooded through her as she realized what was happening. A healer had come; she was going to be okay. Tears fell from her eyes as the woman removed her gloves and bent down.

Shila wasn’t ready for the shock of the cold water against her wound. Once the woman began to heal her, Shila let out a loud shout. Her body became rigid and her eyes shut once more. Where was Sojun when she needed him?

[WaterBending_Monk]

“Tensu?… I want y-you to listen to me… I-I’m not going anywhere… I’m going to s-stay right here… w-with you.”

At this, Tensu began to feel a little better. He wiped his tears and began to smile slightly. Not a moment after Shila said her only words to Tensu the voice of a woman came from the steps.

"You two are going to have to take a few steps back; I'm going to need some space."

Before Tensu and Ryu moved away to let the healer do her work, Tensu quickly put his hand on Shila's cheek to show his affection and to make sure she'll be ok.

Ryu took Tensu's hand and moved back. They watched the healer work on Shila. He looked down at his young pupil, "You're a sweet kid, you know that."
The boy hugged his master and looked up at him, "Master Ryu, I'm glad you're with me. I always feel safest with you." Ryu smiled and hugged the boy back.

[Conzu]

When Sojun saw that Ryu and Tensu backed down, he didn't wait for Kilon to respond.
"Come!" he yelled at him and stormed off, back to Shila.

Within just seconds he fell on his knees next to the wounded woman and looked at the healer frightened, worried and hopeful at the same time. "Please, do everything you can," he told the healer in a broken voice.

Being careful not to stand in the healers way, he took one of Shila's hands in his and pushed his lips gently against her fingers.

"I'm here.. Don't worry, you'll be better."
When he raised his head he saw Ryu and Tensu looking at him.
Sojun nodded at them sadly and lowered his head to look at Shila again. "I'll never leave you.."

[OutLaw]

So absorb in what she was doing Freya hadn't noticed Sojun and Kilon approaching. But when Sojun said:

"Please, do everything you can"

A smile spread across her face, not that anyone could see it under her mask. "You don't kneed to worry." Freya replied "She's only almost dead, which is nowhere near as bad as mostly dead."
Kilon's response to Freya's comment was to plant his palm firmly in his face in a sign of exasperation. At least that's how he intended for it to appear, what he was actually doing was hiding his smirk.

A few moments later and the water around Freya's hands stopped glowing. "There" She said as she began to put her gloves back on. "I've repaired what damage was done, although I don't suggest she jump up and start running around. She's lost a lot of blood and that's something no amount of skill in the healing arts can replace. But don't worry, a few days of rest and she'll be as good as new."

[Battery]

"Please, do everything you can," she heard. It was Sojun.

“S-Sojun…” she moaned. The pain was wearing off a bit, but she was exhausted from her loss of blood. She felt as he took her hand and kissed her fingers lightly.

"I'm here… Don't worry, you'll be better."

Her eyes were still clamped shut from the pain, but she managed to get out a few words. “D-Don’t leave a-again…”

"I'll never leave you..."

"You don't kneed to worry," Shila heard. She assumed it was the healer. "She's only almost dead, which is nowhere near as bad as mostly dead."

Her eyes opened at the less than technical comment. Looking over, she gave an odd look at the healer before the pain caused her to close her eyes again.

It was a few more moments before the intense pain slowed ebbed away to an annoying twinge. Her body was weak and tired, and all she wanted was to lie down and sleep…

"There" Shila began to hear the healer speak again. "I've repaired what damage was done, although I don't suggest she jump up and start running around. She's lost a lot of blood and that's something no amount of skill in the healing arts can replace. But don't worry, a few days of rest and she'll be as good as new."

A large sigh escaped from Shila’s lips as she relaxed a bit. Her hand squeezed Sojun’s tightly at the news. Opening her eyes, she looked at him and smiled.

She tuned her head some more and looked over at where Tensu was watching. “I told you so…” she told him.

She looked back at Sojun with tired eyes. “I’m tired…”

Her eyes threatened to shut, but she didn’t want them to just yet.

[Conzu]

"I'll never leave you..." he heard himself say, hoping for the very best.
"..never..." he whispered again.

"You don't kneed to worry." the healer replied to him. "She's only almost dead, which is nowhere near as bad as mostly dead."
Sojun held Shila's hand tightly in his and just glared at the healer. He didn't think of it as funny at all. Though he knew that Kilon was probably holding back his laughter or at least a wide grin.

Right after the healer's comment he saw how Shila opened her eyes as his own eyes immediately shot back towards the wounded woman, stroking her cheek.

"There... I've repaired what damage was done, although I don't suggest she jump up and start running around. She's lost a lot of blood and that's something no amount of skill in the healing arts can replace..." the healer said.

Sojun held his breath back as he looked at Shila, waiting for... something. He breathed again when he felt Shila squeeze his hand tightly and saw how she smiled at him. He followed her eyes with his as she turned her head towards Tensu and did the same.

“I told you so…” she said to the boy. Sojun smiled broadly and nodded friendly at the eight year old.
"Thank you so much," he said turning to Freya.

Shila turned to back to him. “I’m tired…”
"Yes, you need to rest," he replied to her and gently kissed her head. "Sleepy head."

He hesitated and turned back to the healer again. "I have just one request.." he began and gently took Shila's left hand, showing the healer her scorched hand. "I'd be very grateful if you could you heal this as well..."

Without waiting for an answer he turned his head towards Shila again and gave her a concerned yet stern look. One that told her not to refuse the healing this time.

[OutLaw]

As Freya stood up and turned to make her way back to the war-band Sojun turned toward her and made a request.

"I'd be very grateful if you could you heal this as well..."

Kneeling back down Freya to a closer look at the large burn on Shila's hand. "Well this doesn't look to terrible." She said taking off her glove and once again bending water around her hand. It took Freya only a few moments to heal Shila's burn and when she removed her hand there was nothing to indicate that she had been burned at all.

"Now in most cases" She said as she stood up and once again put her glove back on. "Healers would never consider prescribing alcohol to their patents, but since I'm not a healer I have no such problem. Given everything that's happened today I'm prescribing a round of your preferred alcohol for everyone here. Except for you." She said, turning towards the young boy. "You're to young."

[WaterBending_Monk]

It seemed Shila was feeling better after the healing session. Ryu had a sigh of relief as well as Tensu. The woman who healed Shila was very skilled but stern. She almost seemed a bit bossy but she did just save the life of the new cheif of the northern water tribe after all, so Ryu wasn't going to complain.

..Except for you." She said, turning towards the young boy. "Your to young."

Tensu pulled on Ryu's jacket and pulled him over to the side. He whispered in Ryu's ear. "She kinda scares me anyway. Can you take me back to my house?" Ryu kneeled down and replied, "of course. Why don't you say bye to everyone and I'll fly you home. It'll be faster."

Tensu looked at everyone and then back at Ryu, "Ok master. Will I see you again soon?" Before Ryu responded he started to think about his waterbending classes. Tensu was his brightest pupil and it seemed he missed spending time with Ryu. "I'll see you again very soon Tensu. I'm never far."

Ryu walked Tensu over to everyone. Ryu spoke first, "Well guys I'm gonna fly Tensu home. He had a long day and wants to be with his family."

Tensu took a step ahead of Ryu and spoke next, "Bye everyone. It was nice to see you all again." The boy went over to Sojun and gave him a hug. "Watch over Shila. She's my friend and I want her to always be safe."

He went over and hugged Shila. "Bye Shila. It was good to see you again. Hopefull after all the fighting we can spend more time together." The boy smiled.

[Battery]

"Yes, you need to rest," Sojun replied to her and gently kissed her head. "Sleepy head."

She smiled warmly at him. She had been so scared, worried, and frightened that she would never see him again. Though, her smile slackened a bit as he turned to the healer.

"I have just one request…" he began and gently took Shila's left hand, showing the healer her scorched hand. "I'd be very grateful if you could you heal this as well..."

“B-But I-” she began, but silenced herself when Sojun looked at her. He looked stern, a look he reserved for his new warriors. Sighing, Shila gave in. The healer came over and spoke.

"Well this doesn't look to terrible,” she said as she bent some water around Shila’s hand. There was virtually no pain as the burn disappeared.

"Now in most cases," the healer said as she stood up and once again put her glove back on. "Healers would never consider prescribing alcohol to their patents, but since I'm not a healer I have no such problem. Given everything that's happened today I'm prescribing a round of your preferred alcohol for everyone here. Except for you." She said, turning towards the young boy. "You're to young."

Shila smiled a bit at the comment at Tensu. Though, she was not in the mood for any alcohol… she wanted sleep.

Before she let sleep take her, she listened as Master Ryu spoke of taking Tensu home, and Shila simply nodded. Though, she grinned widely as Tensu came and hugged Sojun. She was sure the man wasn’t expecting something like that. Tensu turned to her and hugged her as well.

"Bye Shila. It was good to see you again. Hopefully after all the fighting we can spend more time together."

She used her newly healed hand and rubbed his back softly. Smiling, she closed her eyes as she spoke to the boy. “I hope so too Tensu. Now, you be safe…”

As the boy pulled away, she yawned widely. She let her hand fall as she relaxed. Her eyes refused to open as sleep overtook her.

[Conzu]

In the meantime a lot of people had gathered around the wounded chief, Sojun, the master, the boy and the others. Especially Sojun's frenzy against the chief's stabber had drawn a lot of attention of the rioters around them. The news of Sojun's frenzy and a 'possible relationship' - that is.. from the looks of it - between him and the newly elected chieftain spread quickly throughout the crowd.

-----

Sojun was glad that Shila accepted the healing of her hand, perhaps a little bit forced, but the final result is what counts.

"Now in most cases," the healer said as she stood up and once again put her glove back on. "Healers would never consider prescribing alcohol to their patents, but since I'm not a healer I have no such problem. Given everything that's happened today I'm prescribing a round of your preferred alcohol for everyone here. Except for you." She said, turning towards the young boy. "You're to young."

He raised his head to the healer with a grin, 'Yes, definitely one of Kilon's'. He then looked at Tensu and winked at him with a smile on his face.

"Well guys I'm gonna fly Tensu home. He had a long day and wants to be with his family," Ryu spoke as he took Tensu with him and approached them. But Tensu was a bit quicker than his master and went ahead of him.

"Bye everyone. It was nice to see you all again," the boy said. Sojun smiled at the kid's innocence and wanted to respond but before he had the chance, the boy already hugged him. His eyes widened for a moment in surprise of boy's openness and hugged him back.

He closed his eyes for a second, Tensu made him think of his cousin in the Fire Nation. The last time Sojun saw him, he was also 8 years old and as open, playful, cute, yet at times.. also serious, just like this boy, he wondered if everything would be okay with him.

"Watch over Shila," Tensu said while still hugging him. "She's my friend and I want her to always be safe."
Sojun smiled again, pulled back. "I will. She'll be safe," he rubbed Tensu's head gently, "especially with good friends like you."

The boy now turned to Shila to say goodbye. Sojun watched how Shila answered him and fell asleep.

"You know, you'll be a great warrior and friend," he said softly, turning to Tensu. "When... everything is over... you're always welcome to visit us." He smiled and looked at Ryu, "of course the same goes for you, my friend."

As he looked at Tensu again, his eye spotted the betrothal necklace he made for Shila. He slowly bent over her and took the necklace out of her right hand, brushed it a little and put it gently around the woman's neck.

[Nev]

Litus slowly stepped up the steps, his hands rubbing together. He was nervous for some reason. Maybe it was because he felt like an outsider, or that he was just nervous to ask if she was oakay. He stopped beside Ryu and waited for the little boy, Tensu, to stop his embrace.

"Bye everyone. It was nice to see you all again,"

The innocence of the small child entertained Litus, He knew that the boy probably didn't understand what was happening completly

The small boy ran back to Ryu, clutching to him like a Koalacat clings to a tree. Ryu put his hands in his pockets and breathed. Sojun seemed to be placing a necklace on Shila's sleeping body. Litus stopped himself from asking her so he wouldn't wake her.

"I-I-Is she going to be Okay?" Litus asked, stumbling as he said it. He automaticaLly smiled as if reassuring himself. He covered his mouth and coughed. It was a colder night than usual. The crowd that had gathered looked on, it was like a show. He awaited Sojun's answer.

[Renori Fa]

Jiru was appalled as the violence broke out. He did not know how his brothers and sisters were capable of such violence. Brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, it was horrific. The healer jumped around friskly to avoid the fighting and attacks, although it hurt him more to see his people like this.

He called out for Ryu, Shila, Sojun---anybody! But nobody was there. Jiru was just in this mess and there was nothing he could do. Attempting to stop it, he stood on a platform and tried to make a speech, although a spear was quickly thrown at him and people shouted for Jiru to go away. It pained him.

After a while of avoiding, Jiru managed to see Shila, apparently healed from some injury. "Shila!" he called out.

[WaterBending_Monk]

"You know, you'll be a great warrior and friend," he said softly, turning to Tensu. "When... everything is over... you're always welcome to visit us." He smiled and looked at Ryu, "of course the same goes for you, my friend."

"Thanks Sojun!" Tensu said as his eyes lit up. "I really wanna do amazing things when I get older. I'll be the best warrior ever! And of course a great waterbender but maybe not as good as Master Ryu."

Ryu smiled and gave a slight chuckle, "My boy, if you put your mind and hard work into it you could very well be better than me someday."

"And thank you Sojun. You know when we have peace again Tensu and I will be like family. Always visiting and always there for each other."

Master Ryu stood back from everyone and Tensu stayed close to him. Ryu once again pointed his hands at the ground and it began to crack. The chunk of ice Ryu and Tensu were standing on was lifted into the air by Ryu's control. They got slowly higher in the air. Tensu kneeled down on the ice as well as Ryu. As Ryu held on with one hand, he waved goodbye to everyone, although he would only be away very breifly. Ryu controlled the ice a little faster away from everyone and they quickly floated away from the crowd.

They were very high up and were passing the streets and houses from above. Some of the houses looked like they were broken into. The streets were a mess. Household products everywhere, furniture outside of houses. The wind in Ryu and Tensu's face got stronger as Ryu sped up the speed of the ice they were on. "Master, when will everything be ok again? The city looks so different I barely recognize it."

"Well Tensu my boy, Hopefully not too much longer. We do have a new chief after all and we know she'll do a great job leading us. And you know me, Sojun and our other allies will help Shila...and you of course." The wind in their faces began to slow down as the sped of the ice slowed down. Tensu pointed down to his house. Ryu lowered both of them down in front of the house. They slowly floated down and Tensu jumed off the ice. Tensu gave his master a hug goodbye. The boy was very sweet and affectionate so he did this to all he cared about. "Bye master. Please be safe. I'll see you again soon."

“I will. You be safe to. Watch over your mother and younger brothers and sister you hear me.” Tensu nodded. He walked up to his door and his mother sounded relieved to see him. Tensu’s mother smiled and waved to Ryu as Ryu stood back on the ice.

Ryu slowly rised from the ground and floated high up once again. He just hovered on the ice high up in the air for a minute or so. His arms were crossed but still made sure he didn’t lose control of the hovering piece of ice he was standing on. Ryu took a look at the entire city. Most of it looked empty because most people were still in a huge crowd rioting over by Sojun and everyone. He looked at the empty streets and the rubble of some of the houses and the random items thrown everywhere. ‘This won’t be our future. I’ll make sure of it. I’ll help Shila and Sojun rebuild and prosper. This isn’t the city I remember as a child. It’ll be better. We’ll make it better.’ After the masters last thought he kneeled down on the ice and held on. He began to control the ice towards the crowd in the distance; back to Shila and the others. The wind on Ryu’s face got stronger as he controlled the ices speed to go faster.

[Conzu]

Thanks Sojun!" Tensu said as his eyes lit up. "I really wanna do amazing things when I get older. I'll be the best warrior ever! And of course a great waterbender but maybe not as good as Master Ryu."

Sojun smiled and nodded at him.

"My boy, if you put your mind and hard work into it you could very well be better than me someday."
The commodore's smile faded away for a second and turned his head away, 'that is exactly what my teacher told me...' this time he turned to look at the people around them, the rioting and disunity. '...the one that got murdered today...'

"And thank you Sojun. You know when we have peace again Tensu and I will be like family. Always visiting and always there for each other."
He quickly turned back to Ryu and tried to smile friendly. "That's great, Ryu.. really great." He smiled, this time a genuine one and took Shila's hand. "A loving family is one of the most important factors in life, my friend."

Sojun watched how Ryu and Tensu left, looked at Litus, nodded at him and turned to Shila. He gently picked her up and carried her in his arms in direction of the palace entrance.

When he passed the crowd around them, a lot of questions were thrown at him.
"S-sir? What are you doing with her?" "What is this?" "The rumors are true?" "Did you really made her a betrothal necklace?" "But, sir?!"

Sojun sighed and simply looked at him as he continued climbing the steps.
"Will you really marry her?" someone else asked him. Irritated, he stopped and glared at the man whilst still carrying Shila in his arms. "You see what happened to him?" he said and nodded towards her stabber who was still pinned to the ground a little further away. He turned around and continued walking again. But the people didn't give up and followed them, "Of course stabbing her was dead wrong but you're the rightful heir to the throne, you-.."

The man stopped because Sojun interrupted him, "I made this woman a betrothal necklace, we already made up our minds. Think of it like this way.." he sighed and really tried to hold himself back and not to yell at the man. "Now the righteous offspring of the Kinto dynasty will marry with a descendant of Chief Khizan. Both royal families will blend into one." With this, he nodded at Litus who followed him and quickly made his way inside the palace.

Once he was inside he immediately walked over to the royal private quarters and told Litus to wait in the public area of the palace, since he wasn't allowed to enter. As a military commander Sojun had been in these quarters quite often on his visits to the former chief. It was hard for him to imagine that soon he would be living in this place.

He quickly walked to the room of which he knew was the royal bedroom, opened the door a little clumsy because he was still wearing Shila and walked in. In the room he gently put Shila on the bed, not wanting to wake her up, he carefully took off her dirty and torn clothes, leaving on only her undergarments and pulled the bedsheets over her.

Sojun stared at the torn dress he had just gave her this morning and shook his head a little. But he was glad Shila was still alive and took a seat on a large, soft, cushion next to the bed... waiting for Shila to wake up.

-----------------

In the meantime Litus waited in the public area of the palace and walked around the devastated place. Thanks to Kilon's men, master Ryu and the royal guard the riots finally cooled down, but it was still a total mess.

The young warrior walked around the devastated place, so now and then helping another wounded person to get up and hand him over to the healers. As he wandered around he also stopped by the corpse of an old man. Litus' eyes widened when he recognized the man; it was the very same head elder who had proclaimed Shila as their chief.

He shook his head in disbelief, 'how could people do such things?' he asked himself as he stomped away, not noticing the many icicles on the decorated ceiling. Apparently some rioters had bended icicles on it during the chaos.

Just when he was about he leave the room he heard the sound of breaking ice above his head. Glancing upwards, he saw several glistening, sharp, deadly icicles breaking off. Before he knew it a large icicle had pierced right through his face, nailing his head to the ground...