All for One <Shai City, North Pole>

[ryota]

"Good question," he mumbled as he pulled up his pants, soon after embarking on the task of donning his tunic and tying that sash around his waist. It really got Ryota thinking on many things, however. The whole matter of north and south was cause for concern, as his parents' sojourn across the entire height of the world's map would be quite a feat riddled with dangers galore. Same applied with Misui's family venturing north to south - especially if the war hadn't ended by then! Running his fingers through his loose hair, slowly moving and showing his confusion, Ryota brought down his palm to rub his eye a bit. He groaned slightly. "They probably would, but..."

It struck him again how this plan may start to unravel at the seams, which in turn scared him to death. He could be with Misui without problem, marry her wherever he wanted, but seperate families and their drawn-out locations proved more of a hassle than he previously assumed. Why did plans have to fly back in his face like this? "Honey, they're all the way in the south...will you ever meet them, I wonder?"

This was stupid. Why was he being so unsure of things? He knew he was a sheer optimist, ever ready to see the silver lining in spite of realism, but what was happening now? No! Misui would see them! The families must find a happy medium to see Misui and Ryota wed, even if it went so far as to take place in the Earth Kingdom! It was all it could take for the two to be happy forever, in face of the Fire Lord's oppresive march to world rulership. But now that the Avatar was back, what hope was there? A lot, actually. Ryota smiled at the prospect. "No...we'll find a way, even if we elope. Misui..."

He walked over and stood behind, gently pressing his chest and belly to her back and putting his hands around her waist, while not yet running them across the contours of her wide hips. Closing his eyes, he rested his face on her shoulder. "I love you, and the spirits of love will let us thrive..."

[misui]

She turned to Ryota watching him dress, it was odd enough to be thinking about their yet to be made family but he was going along with it, Honestly she had only expected a yes or no response but that fact that he was taking this seriously... it made her somewhat happy. Just to know they were on the same page was nice. She returned her attention to the mirror checking on her hair and making sure it was in place. On her lips there was a small tug of a smile that she couldn't shake. Without even knowing it her little heart strings tugged her to a keeper, placing him in her grasp securely and whispering to her, never let him go. She got the message crisp and clear, it was fast but the love was real.

The pet name did managed to rope her attention but it made her feel odd, like he was in charge, a little odd to her but she didn't dislike it. Up until now he'd kept his opinions to himself, mumbling about his hopes for the relationship, fumbling over his words and nervously going through the waves of the relationship. She felt like she was leading most of the way, playing hard to get and forcing him to chase her but right here it felt like the relationship had changed, and she didn't dislike it.

Her heart was aflutter when he moves behind her and embraced her, she ended her tireless primping of her hair and leaned back into him. Seconds after she turned in his grip pressing her lips to his. He was sure of himself and it was nice, it reassured her. Her hands rested on his arms and she pushed herself a bit more forcefully into the kiss, a bitter after taste of desire cut short was on her lips. Honestly would it hurt if they just returned to the bed? Her mind told her it was a bad idea but her body was ready to ignore it completely.

" Lets be traditional..." She started looking up at him seriously. " After... lets move to the south." It was frightening, but she couldn't keep Ryota from her family, and as far as hers was concerned, they often tried to get her to leave the nest, so she'd do just that. " There would be a lot of room for a new family" Misui smiled gently trying to assert that she really meant it.

[ryota]

That was unexpected. Ryota imagined Misui meant nothing more than a mere encounter with his parents, wherein she and they met and established opinions of each other, after which either couple went along with their merry lives and visited every so often. Grandchildren would, of course, be visited often enough so the youngsters wouldn't forget their loved ones' faces, but who knew what else would happen after that. As often echoed in his mind, this would still be assuming the war was over by then and travel was free as a bird. If not, it may put a damper on things of that sort.

But this! It was great to hear. Misui not only suggested they move back to his home, but she did it without any prior suggestions from Ryota himself. The South Pole currently wasn't the most coveted of homes, so her words sunk deep into his heart. They would raise their children there, on that barren chunk of ice at the bottom of the world. Home.

Making sure Misui was drawn close, Ryota smiled sweetly to his beloved. Slowly, he stepped back toward the bed with her still in the loose grip of his arms, crossed behind the small of her back. "If you so wish..."

It seemed that, on the brief journey, he likened to a slow dance-like turn, until...

Fumph! Whimsical (as per usual), Ryota fell back onto the many soft layers of animal skins covering the bed, Misui to fall on top of him unless she decided to let go at the last minute. "Then it shall be."

[misui]

Misui blushed a bit at Ryota, he seemed happy with her decision and she was pleased with it. Of course she'd be nervous with it, she didn't know much about the south but how different could it be? Ryota would be there and his family hopefully would like her and help as much as they could. She'd heard rumors that they were strained when it came to water benders, she might be able to help somewhat. There was always need for an extra healer, without the catty environment of the healing huts she may have an easier time dealing with the demands of such a chore.

Her home wouldn't miss her all too much there was her sister, and her numerous children, then their little brother who would soon be getting older, she wasn't blind, the boy was a romantic and he'd no doubt find a wife only months after he turned sixteen The family up here was growing, and although she'd miss everyone it was time for her to branch off and make her own family, there was another year for her to surge through, it was plenty of time for her to say her goodbyes, it wouldn't be forever though.

Once the war was over, the two families may be able to come together and meet.

Her body fell on top of Ryota's back on the bed, the same place they were trying so hard to leave. She beamed and laughed lightly snuggling her head against Ryota affectionately. " Ryotaaa~ " She whimpered trying to force herself up with little success, his arms were around her. " We need to go not get back in bed. We can do that later." She added in a slightly husky voice, hopefully it would give him the connotation she was going for.

[ryota]

Without a great deal of attention paid to what Misui's tone may imply, Ryota realized his love may have a good and valid point. Fun and enjoyable though it may be, it would only stall until Misui's family started searching for them. His most inward thoughts kept reminding him of that fact, which never allowed him to rest fully since it first entered his mind. He simply couldn't shake the idea of them being found out, then consequently having to explain and defend themselves with every fiber of their being. Together.

Needless to say, he had romanticized the idea quite a bit since he'd started thinking of it. It still probably wouldn't earn them the proverbial boot from the tribe, but it wouldn't bode well with the vast majority of her family to know of their escapades. It was hard to gauge their reaction, not knowing their viewpoint on such things.

"I guess so," Ryota said in defeat, though he remained still as Misui lay atop him. Their faces almost met, but his eyes drifted away ever so slightly. If she wanted to get up and move, she could go ahead if she pleased.

[misui]

Now she was able to get up, but not before placing a light kiss on his lips, she'd found herself more and more attached to Ryota as they spent time together. It was hard for her to keep her hands off of him, not that she minded his hands on her. A slight blush began to form on her cheeks but who cared what everyone else had to say. With his promise, metaphorical and literal they were only a year and some change away from being together. He promised her his heart and his life and she wouldn't toss it away. In return he would hold onto her love and her being securely

Brushing the persistent stray hair that always seemed to cloud her vision from her face she turned on Ryota. " Now come on." She had a small touch of a playful whine to her voice as she attempted to rouse him from her bed. " Everyone will be waiting for us." Just saying us was so nice, to make the two of them a singularity. It was no time to be romantic though, no time to melt back into his arms like she so wanted to.

" I'm sure my sister cooked up a feast, you wouldn't want to miss that would you?" Perhaps food would help get him out of bed, it worked for her little brother, and honestly she admired a healthy appetite.

[ryota]

It was tempting when Misui mentioned the meal, thus bringing it to the fore of his mind and reminding him how hungry he actually was. Then like clockwork, his stomach growled for perhaps the first time that day he'd realized. The rest had been spent in a tizzy, knots in his stomach forming and disappearing up until and even past the point where he proposed to Misui. Even when it all went uphill from there, he had ignored the outcries from his poor, ignored digestive tract. It was such a great appeal, even though Ryota didn't hop straight up from bed in an instant. Instead he took his time rolling straight to the threshold and lingering for a moment, arms splayed out right ahead of him, eyes drifting shut for a second. "I wouldn't really..."

He spoke his mind. Misui would always be there, no doubt, but if her sister was as good a cook as she (or better!), how often would he have a chance to enjoy a meal like that? The festivities too, all in their honor...fooling around with Misui was a joy, but her family's little shindig surely wouldn't happen every night. Those northern folk didn't seem that festive. Eyeing Misui from his sideways position, Ryota pursed his mouth for a second or two, then smiled. "All right. I'm ready to go when you are."

[misui]

"Well I'm ready to go now." She smiled back at him before taking his hand and tugging him up into a standing position, she wouldn't be able to carry him all the way there so she sincerly hoped that he would pick up the slack somewhere along the way. After all she didn't have much ammunition left to bait him into rousing from his slumber. Hoping he'd follow suit Misui pulled her parka on and started towards the door of the room. Before she left she paused in the mirror for a second, she seemed.... different, hopefully no one else noticed. Maybe it was the light in her eyes or the slight blush on her cheeks but she seemed, just different. Some people talked about the "glow" of a new bride, and she knew her sister would catch onto that immediately, hopefully it would shake off before she arrived at the restaurant, the cold would do it some good.

Slowly she moved through the house and then outside taking a deep breath. The warm sheets and the companion that would be under them with her was more attractive then a lot of people with their attention on her. It would only be her immediate family... wouldn't it? She did have aunts... her mother's sisters and her father's siblings, then there was her sister's husband's family... Would they show up. Her father wouldn't go all out like that.... would he?

[ryota]

Dawdling on the side of the bed a bit too long, Ryota, after a slight hum of acknowledgement, soon noticed Misui was almost out the door by the time he scrambled to his feet and threw on his parka hurriedly. He took no time to improve further on his appearance, knowing full well that anything he did to his hair would soon revert to normal within the hour. When one's hair seemed to have a mind of its own, it was both a good and bad thing. "Coming!" Ryota alerted Misui of his slight lag. Thankfully, he managed to reach her by the time they both exited the building.

His breath shivered again in the cold northern air, reminding him of the sweet comforts of a furry bed with Misui inside, even just to snuggle up against each other. Turning his head back to the house, he sighed a bit. It was where his heart was, not at some party held in their honor. Well, perhaps he'd start to enjoy himself once he was there. In fact, it was more than a sure thing, even though his mind would no doubt distract him with thoughts of cuddling until the family affair was in full flight.

So until they reached the restaurant, Ryota would seem rather distracted. Unless Misui snapped him out of it, actually. She could do that very well.

[misui]

Arriving back at the restaurant after a rather short walk the couple went in the front entrance. She took Ryota's hands and smiled at him from inside the smell of various dishes prepared for the event. She tilted her head to the side gently and leaned forward giving him a peck on the lips. " Don't worry too much, this should be a small get together, everyone will love you, just like I do." She pushes aside the fur covering to the establishment and stepped inside. The restaurant having been closed down for business was surprisingly bright, it still managed to surprise Misui when all of her extended family was present.

Misui opened her mouth slightly and looked at Ryota very taken back, she couldn't do much, there would be no running away from this.Her eyes opened widely and she was a little shocked at everyone. All at once they seemed to notice the couple and grandmothers aunts and cousins stormed her in various hugs and various congratulations. She felt a little smothered under all of it but at the same time she was happy. A lot of the people present she hadn't seen in a while. Like wise a couple of the guys meandered over to Ryota.

Misui's brother in law shook his hand with a broad grin and patted his arm with the other hand. "Welcome the family." The men were much more relaxed in their congratulations but the general feeling was the same.

[ryota]

What a surprise! Right when the came inside and not a moment later was when Ryota noticed there were so many people present, no doubt thrilled at such news as Misui finally finding a husband for herself. Apparently it took her awhile, considering the slew of sixteen-year-old girls marrying off so young in this tribe, so Misui most definitely was a rare occurance up north. So different from Ryota's teenagerhood, though. Never once did he think of a single girl down south as anything more than a sisterly figure, and left it at that. Even so far from home around the Earth Kingdom and Chameleon Bay, thoughts of those same girls seldom entered his mind, and never romantically. He was oblivious to flirting unless he really paid attention, so it wasn't often those Earth Kingdom girls even gave off many signals. He simply wasn't headed for love, yet love found him here in the grandiose city of Shai.

He was a tad uneasy, though. There really were a lot of people making themselves known at once, older and younger women hugging Misui in glee as men approached Ryota just to say hello. It was heart-warming to hear he was welcome in the family, but he could only wear an uneasy grin. Nervously his eyes rolled from one side of his head to the other, scoping out the room, but not before he replied politely to the man. "Thanks," he said quietly, barely audible over the cooing, fawning members of Misui's family huddling all around the place like a flock of penguins. Trying to swallow past the lump in his tense throat, Ryota's uneasy grin managed to soften to a humble smile. He maintained the very idea of settling into a family like this one. It was so homey, large even, especially compared to his little family down south. Down there, never would people deem themselves 'cousins' or 'great aunts' since everyone was related by spirit, rather than blood. Even though a sense of comfort grew inside him, Ryota still wondered...

...Did everyone have to be there?

[misui]

The night was a long one, there was food, obviously, no get together with her family was without it. After the initial mass of people Misui was finally able to take Ryota around and introduced him to all the family members present. Honestly she expected him to forget every name but she was alright with it, it was much for any one person to handle. They might have already been married the way everyone was carrying on. It was hard to get a moment to ones self but Misui did her best to stay beside Ryota, sneaking small kisses and holding his hand. For the most part her family fell in love with him, more than willing to add him to the family. Honestly since the siege everyone had been looking for an escape, something to get the war off of their minds and a union formed of love was the perfect opportunity.

People puttered away as the night carried on. The restaurant was cleaned and set back into working order for the next day. Misui was tired as anything, she imagined Ryota couldn't have been much better. Luckily no one noticed or questioned their disappearance during the day. It was a good thing, she was sure of it. Her sister had gone and taken her children to bed, of course Misui's brother in law went along, he was all but her little whipping boy. Of course he was fine with it. For all his griping and complaining he loved the woman. Misui quietly promised that she wouldn't wind up like that, she'd try to be level headed and only act like a mad woman when she needed to.

Running a hand over her hair tiredly she slumped against Ryota's shoulder letting her eyes closed. " I didn't know they'd invite everyone.. I'm sorry...."

[ryota]

What a workout, he thought. Though not finding it a great physical demand at all, even a true blue extrovert like Ryota had to confess that such things like that were a tad overwhelming. He was on the brink of passing out simply because of mental and emotional taxation. After the party had ended, everyone had left, and he had barely helped clean up anything, Ryota sat at a table in the corner, his droopy blue eyes watching casually even as Misui walked up. He took the polite route by standing before she propped herself beside him, though his posture was appaling at that point.

Knowing well she had no need to say she was sorry, he wrinkled his nose a bit. "You don't need to apologize. Neither of us know," he said quietly, looping his hand behind her waist. He wouldn't try to hold her closer, he would simply keep his arm around her lazily. Still, he knew the hour was late, and to return home with Misui, now that her father and younger brother were most likely there, would be utterly scandalous. To him, it looked like another night spent at the barracks. He felt indifferent about such things, but knew it had to happen. He let a few seconds of silence pass, warm and comfortable, before he spoke. "I think I should go soon."

[misui]

Misui nodded, it wasn't like she was helping prepare this or even around when everyone decided it was a good idea to get everyone together. She sighed slightly snuggling her head into Ryota's shoulder, she was worn out in more ways then one and wanted nothing more than to go back in time and remain in the bed with Ryota, just sleeping and basking in one another presence. That was ended all too quickly she thought, they say absence makes the heart grow fonder but she didn't feel like testing the theory, she wanted to stay with Ryota. Forget the rest of the world. But he seemed to know that there were certian lines one didn't cross.

She, would have to talk to her family, it would be best to do it when Ryota wasn't around and she could tell them how things were going to be. With Ryota there she wouldn't be able to focus and she doubted he'd be able to explain completely. Misui turned her head and kissed Ryota's cheek watching him sadly. " I suppose so..." She finally said and got herself up. Misui's brother was taking care of the last of the trash before plopping down in a seat. He half heatedly lifted his hand in a poor excuse for a wave. " Night Ryota." Misui's father mustered a bit more energy to speak to Ryota. " Don't be a stranger." He smiled warmly at the man and crossed his arms. "Anyone who can make my daughter as happy as she is now is welcome to stop by anytime."

[ryota]

Try as he might, Ryota couldn't make himself let go of Misui, and especially didn't want to leave and go sleep in some lonely bed without her. Sleep would be hard, moreso when he tried to keep her out of his head, but in all he knew he'd survive. Knowing he had to leave soon was the worst part, though. It was all for an excellent, noble reason, but it was still a heartbreak.

Eventually, he had to let go in more ways than just one. In both cases, though, he knew it wouldn't last long.

No doubt he'd see Misui the next day, even though such time of anticipation would seem to fly by in an instant yet last an eternity at the same time. Carefully, and with a gentle kiss to her cheek, his arms slid off the outline of her figure. Before he left earshot entirely, he was sure to lean in and whisper some sweet nuance in her ear. "I'll miss you."

Then toward the friendly gestures shown by his in-laws, he smiled in appreciation and headed slowly to the door, waving a listless wave. He was sure to maintain a slow and careful amble all the way back to the barracks.

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