[private - Mai] Taking a break

[Chase Sato]

"If I beat you!? This is fucki-" he didn't get the chance to finish his sentence as a large gust of fire was sent his way. Meeting it with a blast of his own flame, the attack decimated into the air. He couldn't worry about answers right now, or give into his confusion. He needed to face this with a level head, he did his best to clear his mind. Taking a long, deep breath, he dashed forward, hitting Kazu with a series of punches in kicks, all which he blocked.

They fought for a long while, seeming to be evenly matched. Chase was getting exhausted, but so was his opponent. Both breathing heavily, they knew it was going to be over soon. It had been over an hour since the match started, and neither of them had landed a single blow. It was obvious that Chaou didn't think this would take so long, he was impatiently shuffling in his seat, but never once took his eyes off the match.

Chase actually managed to best Kazu slightly, using a pro bending move that he was taught by a friend back in Republic City. He was caught so off guard that Chase used a different style, that it gave Chase the opening to disturb his footing, sending him stumbling backwards. "So you found another master?" he said, there was some tone of offense.

Letting out a bark of laughter, he unleashed another series of attacks. "I've learned a lot since you left, from many different people" he knew now this was how he was going to beat Kazu, by using styles that he didn't teach. He may be expecting it, but he still wouldn't be able to predict his moves as well as he had been doing.

With this new hope of winning, the match started to turn in his favor. Ducking one of his on coming attacks, he uppercut a fire punch quickly after, connecting with the bottom of Kazu's jaw. The flames scorched the skin, leaving a large burn on his chin and neck. He cried out in pain as Chase grabbed the front of his robes, pulling him to his feet. "I won, now tell me why you're doing this." he said in a low growling tone, his jaw clenched.

Guards rushed up onto the platform, pulling Chase off of his master, but Kazu shook his head for them to let him go. "No, I told him I would explain. He gets at least that." At least? So they were going to go back on their word if he won. "I don't expect a child to understand, but I will tell you anyways. Chaou and I came up with this plan together before you were born. He would rule the families while I help my brother get to where he wanted to be." brother? How could they be related, they were nothing alike!? "I needed a way to get close to your father, it proved difficult, but then you came along. You took to me so well, we decided to earn my way in that way."

"Alright, he's all filled in, kill him, Kazu!" Chaou called over to his brother. "We'll just find the girl later, he won't tell us where she is." Chase glared at Kazu as the guards forced him to his knees, handing the man a sword. Raising the blade over his head, Chase never broke the gaze as he swung it down.

Stopping centimeters away from his skull, Kazu put down the blade. "I can't do it..." he said, telling the guards to let Chase go. "I had to leave because I was growing too attached to you, Chase. I never saw it coming, but I care about you, you've grown so much since we started together." this was probably another game to just toy with his emotions. He didn't believe any of his words. "If that's the truth, then let us go. You can kill us if we come back into the fire nation. I don't care about all of this, I just want a normal life for Hiyro and I. Please, master, let us have it?" he thought on these words, his shoulders hunching as the guilt from all this took over.

"Fine, let them go. We will not pursue you, but if we ever see you here, you will be killed on the spot. Hiyro too." Chaou stood up, outraged at his brothers words. "What?! You can't just let him go! After all this! He's just going to try and take us down later!" Kazu shook his head. "They pose no threat to us anymore, Chaou. I'm letting them go." He was obviously livid, but sat back down, knowing not to go against his older brothers words. "I never thought it would come to this." he told Chase as the guards untied Mai. "You have until nightfall to be gone."

Not giving him a second glance, Chase ran towards Mai, making sure that she was okay. "Let's go."

[Mai Toriko]

Mai felt her heart stop dead in her chest as she saw the sword raised above Chase's head. She screamed and tried to yell to him, to do anything but sit there and watch him die. However the fire around her grew hotter and hotter, bursting up like shots from a volcano and some dropping to the platform. The heat was so overwhelming after so long, she felt her body grow heavy and her vision blurred as darkness overtook her. When she came to, Chase was holding her up and helping her untie the bonds that kept her restrained. She had missed the entire ending to the conversation between him and his former master but judged from the silence of all those around him that the deal had been held true and they were free to go. Mai felt herself being lifted and carried from the platform but she chose to walk out the rest of the way, knowing Chase was exhausted as much as she was if not more from the battle. Taking his hand they vanished out to where they had hidden the emu horses in hopes they would still be there at the ready. Mai took one look back and noticed the severe look of displeasure that was written across his face as she was carted away by Chase, out of his grasp. She prayed that this would be the last they would see and hear from those vile beings.

Arriving at their horses they worked quickly to gather themselves and ride off towards the docks. There was no time to second guess things and take their time. Any minute the guards could come charging through the woods after them like dogs on the hunt and Mai knew Chase wasn't going to be able to fight them all off and her own strength was waning from trying to heal. Riding steady they arrived at the docks by Night fall and Mai had never felt so refreshed as the moonlight touched her skin. They were taken below deck to a cabin while the animals were stored and a port hole allowed them to get the moon light to illuminate their space, along with a few lanterns hung on the ceiling and swaying with the boat. She had Chase lay down and try to relax but the boat was rather steady and she hoped it stayed that way for his sake. She looked to him and saw his eyes closes and to that she smiled, slipping her kimono open a little she let the moon light touch more of her skin, as she stood there taking in deep calming breaths. It was so wonderful, everything was finished...he was free.

Turning back to him and she moved to the bed and slipped behind him, it would be morning before they reached their port and she decided it best to rest alongside him. She knew he was restless and slowly carded her fingers through his hair, humming to him gently.

[Chase Sato]

They left as soon as possible, riding away quickly on their Emu horses. He was glad that nothing had happened to them, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to leave before sunset. It wasn't difficult to find a boat, and they took off back towards the Earth Kingdom. It felt good to have this all resolved, but it still weighed heavy. Kazu was like a father to him, and learning all that, it was like losing the person the used to know. He felt bad for admitting it, but it hurt more then losing his own father.

The boat ride wasn't as bad as usual. Maybe he was just too tired to let if affect him, maybe he was just getting used to it. But he fell asleep almost immediately, occasionally drifting out of sleep to hear the sound of Mai's humming, only to have it lull him back into rest. The horn setting off awoke him the next morning, indicating that they have reached the destination. "Mai, I have to say sorry.. and thanks, for everything. I wouldn't have been able to do any of it without you." he said with a small smile.

[Mai Toriko]

Mai smiled softly as she rolled off the bed and straightened herself for the day. "I can't be mad when you were only doing what you knew would get us free. I did the same thing...I've said this before but...I guess we're even." she giggled a little at that and helped him stand as they exited the boat and mounted their emu horses in order to continue the journey home. Mai couldn't stand the idea of Hiyro being alone for so long, even with the old woman. The girl would be wondering how long they would be and Mai didn't want to keep her waiting. As they rode back Mai stole a few glances to Chase from time to time. In her emotion tiraid she had admitted some heavy feelings for him and he yet to say anything about it their entire trip. They rode for hours back to the city but nothing, and it wasn't as if he had said anything passed 'I care about you.' he even admitted in the stream that he knew he couldn't say it. It left her in an odd place.

They arrived back shortly following lunch and were greeted by a very happy Hiyro, glad to see they came home together and in one piece. Mai set to helping the old woman with some errands, cleaning up the place and hemming a few gowns that were to be picked up that night. She spent the day with the elder, learning some new tricks as Hiyro and Chase were set to try and figure some thigns out together. They had been through alot of changes and Chase needed to be the one to explain how they could never go home and how their mother was no longer with them. It was alot to process for Chase, let alone a small girl.

As dinner was set on the table Mai excused herself to the upstairs, taking a small portion and saying she just needed to be alone for a while, her head was bothering her. But that was no where near the truth. As she sat on the bed next to the window sill she thought about what was to come. They could work here and have a steady life but Chase had said before that he was searching, with this chapter in his life over...was he still searching for more?

[Chase Sato]

He was glad that they had a few hours before they were back in the city. Everything that he found out, he was still trying to sort it all out, make sense of it all. Close to no words were exchanged as Chase went over everything that happened, thinking about how he was going to explain it to Hiyro. She needed to know the truth, but was so young, he didn't know if he could explain it properly. She really was too young to be knowing about this kind of stuff, but Chase didn't want to hide anything from her. They were all each other had, and if she didn't trust him, then they were going to have a hard time living together.

His life was going to be so much different then what he wanted, but had to come to terms with the fact that it wouldn't happen, at least not until Hiyro was old enough to be on her own. He wanted to travel, explore the world, but that was way too dangerous to do with a child. She needed stability, and he needed to give it to her. Staying in Republic City was the best option, there were so many opportunities. He never had a hard time finding work. He actually had a few people offer him steady work if he wanted it. He would have to get back in touch with them.

Arriving back in the city wasn't as exciting as he thought it would be. The pending conversation with Hiyro loomed over him. He still didn't know how she was going to react, hopefully she wouldn't freak out. They rode to the house, Hiyro running out to greet them, a huge smile on her face. He was glad all this shit was over, they just got to live their lives like normal people from now on.

Mai spent the rest of the day with the seamstress, while Hiyro and Chase went out together. Before he told her anything, they brought the Emu Horses the house of the man that Chase initially stole the Emu Horse from. He apologized to the man and told him that he could keep both horses. He felt horrible that he stole from him, but it was a dire situation. Hiyro may have met the same fate as their mother if he'd gotten there any later.

The rest of the afternoon, Chase showed Hiyro around a little, and they ended up at the park, where they had a long talk. Chase tried to explain everything as well as he could, she seemed to understand alright. It worried him that she didn't really show any emotion towards the situation. After a while they went back home, just as dinner was being served. Mai ate alone, said her head was bothering her. He didn't really think much of it, and the three of them ate mostly in silence. After he did the dishes, there was still no sign of Mai, so he decided to check on her.

Bringing her up a glass of water, he carefully opened the door. "Hey, how you feeling?" He asked sitting on the bed next to her, offering the glass.

[Mai Toriko]

Mai felt the bed shift and figured someone had entered the room, but she was so out of it it didn't actually connect until he spoke and offered her the glass. She moved her hand softly and drew the water from the cup before moving it so she could drink from the air. Smiling she let the refreshing feeling take over and sighed, "thank you..." she said, more absent mindedly than anything. She gave him a softly smile and nodded, "I am feeling a little better I suppose." she crossed her legs over the other direction, trying not to seem so boring but there really wasn't anything to talk about anymore. There was no way she was going to bring it up again, the ball was in his court.

"Hiyro...I overheard her telling the elder woman you shall be staying here." she seemed nervous as she played with the edge of the bedding. "That would be best, for Hiyro's sake I mean. She needs you, so very much..." her voice drifted for a while and she moved some hair from her face. She had let it down again and played with a few strands for a long while. "I'm sure she'll be happy to have some stability." Mai was more rambling than anything now, trying to think of something to make the conversation impersonal.

[Chase Sato]

He was glad to hear that she was doing better, but she didn't sound herself still. She seemed distant. He hoped he hadn't done anything to upset her. Thinking back, he couldn't think of anything that he may have done. Maybe she still had a head ache.

"Yah, I don't think moving her around anywhere would be good. She likes the city, too. I was showing her around a little." he thought that the hustle and bustle of the city wouldn't appeal to her, but she seemed just fascinated with everything. It probably served as a good distraction for her. "I was thinking about what happened on the way to the fire nation." he said kind of out of the blue. It had been a little scenario that he occasionally thought about, but with everything else going on it definitely wasn't the main focus of his thoughts.

He didn't really quite know how to word his feelings. It was so awkward to think about telling her what he was thinking. "I really want to be with you." he couldn't help a blush rising "I don't expect you to help with Hiyro, but I know I don't want to do all of this without you."

[Mai Toriko]

Mai froze and turned to look over at him. Was he serious about this? She wondered if it was possibly transference and since he was going through all these things maybe he just needed some support...but then again she could have been over thinking things. She tended to do that alot. But now for as the wheels spun in her mind all she did was stare at him in shock. Frozen, speechless shock. "Chase...are you...serious?" she asked tentatively, leaning over to him with her head off to the side a bit. She looked just as unsure as she felt. "I mean...what do you mean by that? I'm gonna be here for you and your sister no matter what. I'll help you out with her and stuff, she needs a woman around as she grows up and I don't mind being that person to her but...what would I be to you? other than...beside you?" she needed to hear him say it, as hard as that was for him.

Mai stood up and moved away form, wanting to give him space so she didn't smother him. She looked out the window and down to the empty street. "I just want you to be sure of what you mean..."

[Chase Sato]

"Yes, I am." relationships had never really seemed appealing to him until meeting Mai. He had never felt this way about someone before, and was will to at least try, if she was willing to as well. He wasn't sure how to answer her question, he didn't know what he expected either, or even how to put it into words. What did being in a relationship entail? What were the individual roles of each member. "I don't know what you would be to me. I guess we would figure it out as we went along?"

Standing up as well, he stood behind her, looking her her through the reflection in the glass. "I don't know what to do, or say, but I do know that I'm happy when you're around. I want to make you happy too." he told her, resting his hands on her shoulders.

[Mai Toriko]

Mai jumped a little when his hands touched her shoulder and she made the one move off, she didn't want the scared shoulder being touched. Smiling he met his eyes in her reflection and then turned back and faced him, palcing her arms aorund his shoulders and kissing his cheek before holding him close. "We'll figure it out..but for right now...is it okay if you just hold me for a while?" she just wanted to be close to him for a while. She also had to help Hiyro get ready for bed soon and get her tucked in. But for a few moments she closed her eyes and just felt his body, his heat, his grip and let her form melt to his. Her head rested on his shoulder and a smile graced her lips.

Mai pulled away after a while and heard footsteps, giggling as she saw tiny feet under the door. She shushed Chase and went to the open to the door to see Hiyro with her arms full of their pets. "Now what do we have here?" she laughed, picking up Zala and Soru."How about we brush out yur kitten and I'll get a bath running for you? we can get all cleaned up before bed?" she suggested, smiling to Chase over her shoulder.