"Asha! I swear to everything that is holy, if you don't come out right now, your doing laps!" Raiko yelled angrily, most likely to deaf ears. 

The sun was barely peaking over the horizon, and the two had just finished training. Normally, they would go until the sun was just barely visible then take to meditating, however the brunette had different plans. The minute the cave was in sight, she bolted. Leaving Raiko both disoriented and angry. 

Stomping into the cave, his anger slowly fades as he sees Asha wrapped up in Aang's arms; the boy smiling despite the sweat coating the small girl. They were both fast asleep, breathing in sync and looked at peace.  Zulu and Momo had curled up between them, Gumi laying his head over their laps as they lay on Appa.

Not having the heart to wake them, Raiko walks over to the cliff overseeing a river down below, not looking back to the footsteps approaching him. 

"You have to remember, they've been apart for a hundred years. Having each other in their arms is a blessing in and of itself for them."  Toph sits beside Raiko, her feet swinging over the cliff.  He hums in acknowledgement, leaning back to his palms. 

He looks down as Toph lays her head on his chest, her own breathing evening out as his lip twitches ever so slightly.

___

"Wakey, wakey love birds!" 

The two are awaken by icy cold water splattering over their faces, soaking their hair, clothing and themselves.  Standing above them were the two air benders and the water tribe siblings.  Asha quickly falling from her bending stance as she laughs at the two; the other three laughing with her.

Shaking his head free of droplets, Raiko bends his own orb of water, throwing it at Asha with a smirk. It, of course, shuts her up, but also starts a small water war between the two. The rest left busting a gut at the actions.

___

"Okay, I'm ready for some training!"  

Aang stands between Toph and Katara, his head band around his eyes as he takes a bending stance.  Asha sits cross legged behind Toph, Raiko beside her, both dry but in 'Time out',  as dubbed by Sokka.

Toph quickly fires several columns of rock towards Aang, who dodges with masterful ease. He's quick to evade a water whip from Katara as she attacks as well, only to fire a boulder at Toph as he recollects himself.

"Good job, twinkle- toes. Visualize- then attack!" Toph praises as she catches the attempt to hit her. She propels it back to Aang who corkscrews himself into the ground to avoid it, the boulder continues it's trajectory though; colliding into Katara's chest.

"Maybe you should take your own advice, Toph." Katara growls angrily. 

"What's the matter? Can't handle some dirt, madame Fussy Brithches?" Toph snorts obnoxiously, Katara drenching her with a wave of water. 

"Oh, sorry, did I splash you, mud slug?" 

The two career towards each other on ramps of their respective element falling back as the collide; tumbling right into Asha who yelps in alarm.

"Are we taking a break?" Aang stares, blindfold still on.  He can feel the momentary panic from Asha, but debates if it's because she's watching his training.

Newsflash it wasn't. 

Asha seemed to genuinely struggle to get to her feet, slipping as Toph and Katara wrestle in the mud around them. Did she use water bending or Earth bending? She didn't know. 

Not that it mattered as she couldn't fucking stand either way. How the hell were Katara and Toph full on wrestling?

"Have a nice dive there, Onsra?" Raiko snorts, watching as Asha's hand gives out, allowing her to face plant into the mud. She groans as she lays defeated, looking up as Aang bends her out of the mud, continuing to bend the mud away from her before ruffling her hair with a chuckle. 

"You coulda done that easily." He laughs out, the girl looking with an unimpressed look.

"I couldn't get the proper stance, thank you." Aang only laughs again looking over to Katara and Toph while Asha angrily huffs to herself.

"I though we were supposed to be training me." 

"Very well, pupil. I believe we've had enough training for today." Katara groans, salvaging what dignity she has left. 

___

"You there! Want to play a friendly game?" The dealer looks to Toph. Sokka, Aang and Asha behind her, watching carefully. 

"How could I possible play? I'm blind." Toph feigns innocence, holding the act of the sad blind girl.  

"You don't have to see to be lucky."  Toph pulls Asha with her to the table, groping around when she gets there, leaving Asha to stand right behind her. Laying down their last silver piece, Toph sits still as the dealer moves around shells, the pea rolling around inside the one before being thrown out.  Of course, Toph chooses correctly, the others behind her with bright smiles at their new winnings.

"Flamey-o, Toph!" Aang praises, his girlfriend curling herself into his arms. 

"Stop. Stop while your ahead." She groans, Aang laughing as Toph and the dealer make another deal. 

___

Toph, Sokka and Aang laugh as they hold baskets of fruits and veggies, Asha behind them with a small frown on her face. She may have looked deep in thought, but in actuality she was still between debating if mud was Earth bending or water bending. Aang was telling her water bending, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to take his word on it.

 (She should. He was the one to get her out.)

"Where did you guys get the money to buy all this stuff?" Katara sounds startled as she stands looking to the three, Raiko behind her with his arms crossed.

"Toph got us money. She scammed one of those guys in town who moves the shells around all sneaky-like."  Aang sets the basket down as he explains, watching as Asha digs through the innards.  He picks her up by her hips, setting her down before gesturing to the basket. 

'Peach?'

'You treat me so well.'

'Well I try.' He snorted a chuckle, soon digging through the basket himself while Asha digs through the one Sokka set down.

"She used Earth bending to win the game. Classic!" Sokka praises, sitting beside the benders.

"Ah, so she cheated." Raiko furrows a brow, glancing at the raven in question.

"Hey! I only cheated because he was cheating. I cheated a cheater. What's wrong with that?" Toph glares in Raiko's direction, snorting. 

"I'm just saying this isn't something we should make a habit of doing." Raiko attempt to save himself, Katara walking behind him. 

Aang and Asha were still currently digging in the baskets, most of the remnants of Sokka's basket on the ground as Asha crawls further into the basket, determined with her quest. Why Aang gave her the much bigger basket, she'll never know. 

Maybe he just liked looking at her butt.  

"Why? Because it's fun, and you hate fun?" Toph continues to snark, almost snarling. 

"We don't hate fun."  Katara steps in, sensing Raiko's frustration. She's quick to grab Momo (Zulu squawking at the loss of her friend), draping the poor lemur over her head. "See, fun." 

"Katara, Asha and I will personally make you an Avatar promise that we won't make a habit of doing these scams." Aang looks up from his basket, lifting his headband with a solemn bow. He ignores the question 'Is it really an Avatar promise if I'm an Onsra?'. 

"Found it!" 

The group is momentarily distracted by the Onsra, who cheers in excitement at the fuzzy fruit in her hand, quickly chewing with a bright smile on her features. 

"Sorry, what were we talking about?" 

___

See, it was not an Onsra promise because they did in fact, make a habit of the schemes. It was a problem. Get them into rehab. Wait no- don't they were saving the world. Asha was sure at one point Toph pretended to get hit by a carriage while Sokka committed identity fraud.

Gotta respect the grind though.

"Guys, I think these scams have gone far enough. If you keep doing them, something bad is gonna happen."  Katara looks over to the four, who currently were doing their own thing.

"Could you for once being such a sourpuss and just lighten up?" Toph snorts from her spot beside Asha, the two girls counting the money they've earned from scams.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You think I should be more like you? Like some wild child?!" Katara growls, glaring at the Raven. 

"Maybe we should just calm down and-" 

"Quiet Nova. Maybe you should, sugar queen. Maybe then, you'd see how great we have it. I mean, look at us. We're travelling around the world, making easy money, having fun, with no parents to tell us what to do!" Toph narrows her eyes as she snarks. 

"Ah, I see. You're acting like this because of your parents!" The two continue to yell at each other, sparking rivalries that Asha thought were long put out.  Stuck in the middle between two evils, the poor brunette can do nothing but sit in anxiety and worry, biting her lip- an old habit she's tried so hard to break.

"You know what?! It doesn't matter. These scams out us all at risk, and we don't need that. We've already got some third-eyed freak after us!"  Katara stomps a foot, glaring at Toph.

"Speaking of that third-eyed freak... I think I've come up with a name for him. What do you think of... 'Sparky- Sparky  Boom man'!"  Sokka interrupts, sending a subtle nod in Aang's direction to Asha; the girl giving him a thankful smile before scurrying over to her boyfriend, who accepts her into his arms. "Just think about it."

"We have enough money. You need to stop this!" Katara nearly yells, completely disregarding her brother.

"I'll stop when I want to stop, and not when you tell me!"  Toph finally screeches, walking away in an angry huff. 

___

"You bought a bird?" Asha scratches the hawks chin with one hand, the other wrapped around Zulu in her arms, the bird preening at the attention. Katara, Aang and Raiko standing behind her and Sokka.

"Not just a bird, a messenger bird! Now we can send messages all over the world, even to Gran-Gran." Sokka preens, much like the bird did, Asha recoiling and pulling her hand away to wrap around Zulu. 

"Wow, how does it work?" Aang steps beside Asha, hand snaking around her waist per habit as the bird lets out a small squawk at the loss of scratches.

"Hmm, uh, I never actually thought about that. Hawky: Gran-Gran, South pole." Sokka points, frowning as the hawk shakes his head. "I think he gets it." 

Momo squeaks as he bounces on Aang's shoulder, eyeballing  the new animal companion before jumping onto Sokka and chasing the poor bird around Sokka's head. The boy yelling in shock and surprise while Aang tries to grab his lemur; Zulu squeaking at the two male animals. 

___

"A lethal dose is also a lifetime supply." Asha lays on Aang's lap, the boy running his fingers through her brown locks with a hum of discontentment. 

"Why do you do this to me? I thought you loved me." His grey eyes look down to Asha's blue ones as he frown, a laugh escaping said girl.

"I do, but it's way more fun watching you question your sanity." The brunette giggles as Katara and Raiko approach them, more footsteps on the other side of them; just out of their view. 

"Well, look who decided to join us. Where have you two been? Off scamming again?" Katara folds her arms, Raiko stands behind her with a hand on his hip.

"Yes, we were." Toph deadpans, setting the baggage in her arms down slowly.

"And I suppose you don't think what you're doing is dangerous at all?" Raiko steps in, facing the raven, who glares in his direction.

"No, I don't"

"Really?" Katara seems to gain a cocky arrogance to her demeanor, pushing past Raiko- who had stepped forward.

"Yes. Really." 

"Well then, what's this?"  Katara flourishes a wanted poster before Toph. The multi benders only watching at the showdown as Sokka sits beside them.

"I don't know! I mean, seriously, what's with you people?! I'm blind!" Toph shouts exasperated, pulling at her eyelids. 

"It's a wanted poster of you. 'The Runaway'. Is that what you're called now? Are you proud of this?!" Katara loosed a bit of her arrogance, but remains firm. 

"Where did you get that?!"  Toph screeches, trying to grab the paper. 

" Am I gonna have to stop this, or are you?" Asha looks up to Aang, her head still in his lap.

"It doesn't matter where I got it. The fact is-"  

"You went through my stuff! You had no right!" 

"I say we let them fight it out. They'll have to figure it out eventually." Aang resumes running his fingers through Asha's hair, the girl letting out a purr in contentment. He likes the feeling he gets when she's happy. 

"Your stuff was messy, and I was just straightening up and I happened to stumble across it."

"That's a lie! You're lying, Katara!" Toph screeches.

"Fine! It's a lie. But you've been so out of control lately, I knew something was up. I knew you were hiding something, and you were! Don't you walk away from me while I'm talking to you!" Katara yells as Toph finally knocks the poster from Katara's hand, walking away from the brunette.

"Oh, really, mom? Or what are you going to do? Send me to my room?!" Raiko had taken to siting beside Aang and Asha, crossing his legs in defeat as Toph turns back to Katara.

"I wish I could." 

"Well, you can't. Because you're not my mom, and you're not their mom." Toph points to the spectating friends, all four looking up in shock.

"I never said I was!" Katara looks just as shocked at the declaration, a chord being hit from deep within her. 

"No, but you certainly act like it! You think it's your job to boss everyone around, but it's not. Your just a regular kid like the rest of us, so stop acting like you can me what to do. I can do whatever I want!" 

"I don't act that way!" Chagrined, Katara anxiously turns to the other four. "Sokka, do I act motherly?!" 

Sokka, alarmed, holds his hands up in surrender. "Hey- I'm staying out of this one. "

"Asha?" 

"I'm currently at war with my motherly figure, so...?" The girl strains her neck to look at Katara, who looks in distress. 

"What do you think, Aang? Do I act like a mom?" 

Said boy drags a hand from Asha's head, rubbing his eye in a nervous action.  "Well, I-" 

"Stop rubbing your eye and speak clearly when you talk!" Katara snaps, Aang snapping to sit straight up.

"Yes, ma'am!" 

"Rai-"

"Don't."  

"Look, I can't be around you right now!" Toph snaps, walking off in a huff. 

"Well, I can't be around you!"

___

"Hey, Katara?"  

Said water bender looks up from wringing her hair dry, Asha walking up to her, clad in her bathing suit with her hair in a ponytail. Katara could see the new stripe (Ch. 31. The Crossroads Of Destiny) that decorated Asha's arm, indicating Asha had mastered the last element needed.  The, ironically, maternal side of her was proud of the younger girl.

Truth be told, this was all part of the plan. Sokka would talk to Toph in audible range to Katara, then Asha would talk to Katara; Raiko and Aang would just have to make sure the girls' heard each other.   It was better than Sokka and Aang's original idea of writing a letter from a blind girl who couldn't even read, much less write.

Aang was lucky he was pretty.

"Asha-"

"I was just wondering if we could...talk? Go for a swim?" Asha gestures to the lake with her head, the curls from the ponytail following.  The water bender furrows a brow before ultimately shrugging. 

"I suppose." Walking back over to the bank of the lake, Katara stops just as her toes graze the waves washing over shore ever so slightly. 

"Wait. Are you here to tell me that I should apologize?!" Katara snorts as Asha takes a running leap into the lake, spitting water out as she reemerges on her back; floating without a care in the world. 

"No. Unless you want me too. I'm more less here to be an outlet. Consider Onsra Asha at your service." Asha smirks, dipping her head further into the water to look at Katara, who slowly wades into the lake. 

"Sure. Then after I spill my guts, you go and tell me she's not that bad, right?"  Katara folds her arms as she bends an ice platform, sitting cross-legged; paying no mind to the icy cold that shivers through her. 

"Oh no. Toph is a total pain in the butt. She's a great Earth bender and teacher, but she needs to..." Asha pauses, looking side to side in search of the right word. "Adjust to having friends." 

"Adjust?" Katara places her elbow on her knee, then her chin on her hand. 

"You have to remember, Toph grew up a secret, kept away from the world and kids her own age. When she started traveling with us, she was thrust into an unknown situation. Toph is a hermit and we're dragging her out of her shell."   Asha laughs, Katara ultimately joining her.

"And what you said about her parents. I would bet that hit a chord with her. I don't know much about the Bei-Fongs but I do know they aren't exactly picture perfect parents. They're wealthy and live in a place filled with the best nanny's, caretakers, and whatever else chomping at the bit to get a job working with them. You're most likely the most motherly figure she's ever had to deal with."  The Onsra continues explaining, Katara settling to a sad smile. 

"That doesn't explain why she's acting the way she did though."  Katara snorts, furrowing her brows at the laugh Asha lets escape.  The Onsra bends herself her own ice platform.

"I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. As an air nomad, I was taught prim and proper was the way to do everything. Meeting Toph has let me...I guess, express myself more knowing that I can be a lady and a fighter no matter what. Truth be told, I kind of rely on her misbehavior to show me that I'm still human. I still can have fun without being pinned to the ideology of a straight-backed servant to the Avatar." 

"I guess that's one way to look at it."  Katara slides off her platform, walking over to the lake side once more. 

"I'm over a hundred years old, Kat. I know what I'm talking about." Asha walks with her, turning solemnly after they get to land.  "If you tell anyone I will show you the true power of an Onsra." 

"My lips are sealed." Katara laughs, crossing her hand over her heart. 

___

If Asha had a word to describe her luck, it would be 'none'. Partly because she had shitty luck her entire life, and partly because, let's face it, why depend on luck when you can bend all four elements, talk to spirits and pre-order your own Dilf. 

she should've expected the officers of the village to call their bluff on their most recent 'Girls only' scam, but, she didn't. Sue her. Or don't. They don't have any money anymore.

"What kind of cell is this?!" Toph yells at the smug guard, banging her fist on the rods that keep her and Asha locked in the small cell. 

Katara had decided to do one last scam and it was going great. Until Toph and Asha were thrown into an oak wood cell. While Asha wanted to bend them out she couldn't. After all, the Onsra was supposed to be dead.  

"A wooden one."  The guard sneered.

___

"Do you think this scam of theirs should be taking this long?" Aang paces back and forth in front of Raiko and Sokka, chewing on his nails as he tries reaching Asha, only getting a rush of nervous, anxiety filled confusion in return.  A small spike of pain rears up in his wrist, causing Aang to rub it; increasing his worry for the others. 

"I was just wondering the same thing." Sokka stands with Raiko as he speaks, stretching his arms.

"I say we check it out."  Raiko smirks, Sokka turning to the three small pets and the two larger ones. 

"You two behave. Appa's in charge. Gumi, your second in command." Sokka calls as Aang and Raiko begin walking off, only getting a snort from the lazy dragon in return. 

___

"Wait. It's a trap!" Toph stands in triumph at her discovery.

"Really? No kidding. Is that why we're sitting in a wooden cage right now? Our only chance of escape tied and gagged behind us? Gee, how'd you figure it was a trap? " Katara snorts with sarcasm dripping from her voice, wincing as she hears a small whine escape the girl behind them, most likely in pain from the irritation on her wrists and ankles. Once they had tried throwing Katara in, Asha tried taking the out but was quickly overpowered and punished as so.

"Not for us, Katara. We're the bait. He's got Asha, now he wants Aang."  Toph furthers her explanation, gesturing to the brunette behind them. 

"I can't believe I was so stupid. See, this is exactly why I'm against these scams. I knew this would happen." Katara starts pacing in front of them, frowning as it all clicks.

"But... this was your idea." Asha looks up, her voice strangled and choked. 

"I know. I wanted to show you guys that I'm not so motherly. I wanted to show you that I can have fun too." The water bender frowns, hanging her head from the others sight. 

"Katara, you are fun. If nothing else, you're at least fun to argue with." Toph offers with a small smile. 

"I know your relationship with you parents is complicated, and I shouldn't have said what I said." Katara continues, finally looking to Asha, who only offers a nod with a reassuring smile. 

"It's okay. I was really mad when you said that because; well, because maybe it's true. I try not to think about it, but when I left, I probably really hurt them." Toph sounds close to tears, closing any doubt by sobbing into her arms, Katara quick to comfort her.

Once Toph had settled down, the three girls were left in silence, only being broken by Asha snapping her head up with a new found urge to struggle against the bonds that hold her. 

"Ash?" Katara walks up the girl, holding her shoulders to stop her from hurting herself. The brunette only tries to shake Katara off with a grunt, slowly looking up to the two girls with a frown. 

"Somethings not right."  

Her point is confirmed by the sound of a fight breaking out outside, most likely a bending fight; between who, Asha can only guess as the boys. 

"What are we gonna do?"  Katara cries as the cell around them shudders.  

"I don't know! I wish we had some Earth or water, or Asha! We need bendables!" Toph stands, sounding just as frantic as Katara. 

"What about your meteor bracelet? You could make a saw."  Katara groans in frustration, trying to free the air benders wrists.  

"I left it back at camp. I was worried the would take it." Toph looks down, watching as Katara wipes her forehead, only to seemingly get an idea as she stops trying to free Asha. Instead she begins running in place, confusing the other two girls. 

"Katara...Are you okay?" Toph tilts her head as she furrows her brows. 

"Just fine!"  

"Then what are you doing?"  The Earth bender continues to question the water bender. 

"I'm making my own water!"  Katara smirks, wiping her forehead and smirking as she hold the water from her forehead.  

"Katara, you're a genius! A sweaty, stinky genius!"  Toph praises as Katara sticks her hand beneath her armpits, flinging the sweat to Asha's binds, freeing her hands.

___

Aang's back smacks against the chest of an Ozai statue, forcing him to fall to the ground with a sad thump. Him and the other two guys had split up, the combustion man choosing to lock onto Aang. Because why wouldn't he. 

Said man was currently stalking towards the poor boy, getting ready to fire, only being stopped when a bolt of ice encases his head. The air benders vision is blocked by a pair of legs landing in front of him, bending over to help him out. 

"Hey there, love." 

Aang smiles brightly as Asha holds a hand out, pulling him up as he takes it.  He takes notice to the red rings around her wrist, but saves it for later. Homicidal thoughts were not good thoughts.

Catching up with the rest of the gang, the air benders can hear ice shatter, but the sound of a boulder crashing interrupts that. An explosion is heard shortly after but they keep running, hoping to get out without further injury.

___

Aang and Asha sit high in a tree, tangled within each others limbs, Aang lightly tracing the rings around the poor girls wrists. 

"Are you sure your okay?" The boy's raven hair tickles the girl's chin as he lays on her shoulder, hands tied tightly around her waist. 

"Like the last fifteen times, I'm fine, I promise Aang. It's a little irritation, it'll go away in a couple of days. You should know, can't you feel it?" Asha leans her head back, nuzzling into Aang's neck, which flared- along with his cheeks- at the contact.  

"I can't feel the pain as intense as you can-" Asha quickly shushes Aang, who watches her confused glance with his own. He urges himself to listen closely, hearing two more, very familiar voices. With a look to each other and a nod, Asha slowly crawls over to the edge, biting down a squeal at the sight before her. 

Quickly waving over her boyfriend, they watch as a certain Earth bender hugs a certain blonde water bender, pressing a quick peck to his cheek.  

"I knew it!" Asha finally squeals before gaping, her leg slipping as she tumbles from the tree, Aang trying to catch her before they get caught, but its too late. 

"Asha!"

"I knew it!"