Hey everyone, sorry for not posting for so long. Some times my life can be a hassel. I have so much to talk about. In April I'm going on my 8th grade trip to Washington D.C.. A month ago I joined AWANA's and it's cool . If anyone dosen't know about AWANA's, go to http://www.awana.org/about/default.aspx?id=1020 and click on who are we. It's an wanderful group to learn about god and his word. Saddly, I haven't been working that much on my story due to my mom is trying to get me and my brother ahead in our school work. Also we just started spanish, so that's another hassel to go through. -_-'. lol. Here are the next two chapters (I give credit to my friend Mike for writeing chapter 17) and a small snipit of chapter 18 (Comeing Soon) Chapter 16 “Mara, wake up,” said Kane-rai shaking me. “Huh? What?” I asked as I woke up out my deep sleep. “Shh, we don’t want to be herd,” she said covering my mouth. “Look, the coast is clear. We need to get going.” “Ok. I know where we can go when we get on the other side of the wall,” I answered. “Where?” She asked “The docks, it’s the best chance for me to get out of the fire nation for good and to find some place else to go.” “Good,” She whispered, “Now let’s get a move on before we get caught and can’t even get to where you need to go.” Quietly, she peaked around the corner to see if anyone was there. “Coast clear. Come on,” she said. Quickly, we ran to another tree closer to some vines that we could use to climb up to get over the wall. Quietly, we start to climb up the wall. “What are you two doing?” asked an unfamiliar voice to me. “Oh no” I groaned. Quietly, we both turned around. “Oh, it’s just you Iroh,” Kane-rai sighed. “I can explain,” I blurted out. “Explain what?” asked Iroh with a confused look on his face. Quickly, Kane-rai looked around to see if anyone was watching then she explained. “This girl here is accused of sneaking around the palace and the Fire Lord was going to punish her.” “And was it her?” He questioned. “No,” We both said. “There is another girl in the village that looks like me and I think Fire Lord Ozai confused me for that girl,” I explained. “Yes, that does sound like my brother,” answered Iroh. “Your brother is the Fire Lord?” I asked, a little surprised. “Yes, and this isn’t the first time something like this has happened,” He said. “Sorry to break up this little conversation, but we really need to get out of here if you plan on making out of the fire nation,” said Kane-rai. “I know a better way for you two to get out of here than to climb over the wall,” said Iroh pointing to some empty crates along one of the walls. “It’s just her trying to get out of here, I’m staying,” answered Kane-rai. “Kane-rai, it would be wise for you to get out of here too,” I answered, “If you were caught trying to help me then you could get into some serious trouble.” “I would have to agree, you’ve been here long enough to know what punishments that my brother can give.” Answered Iroh. “Ok,” answered Kane-rai, “I’ll go. But we’ll need to go in separate crates on separate boats. That way if one of us is caught, the other can escape.” “Deal, now let’s get going,” I answered. Chapter 17 “General Iroh, sir!” The palace guard saluted the ex-general. “What did you need, sir?” “I need you to take these crates to the harbor. The smaller one on the left is headed for the North Pole. The larger of the two is to be sent to my cousin, who is bunking near the outskirts of the Northern Water Tribe. I believe he will know what to do with that” “If you don’t mind my asking, sir, what are you sending?” the guard was curious. “Some special teas, among other things. Be careful with those crates, I do not wish to see my valuables destroyed.” “Yes sir!” the guard saluted again and hurried off to haul the crates. “One more thing!” Iroh shouted after him. “Yes?” “Deliver these letters to the owners of the ships. Do not allow anyone to read them except those packing the crates. If you so much as tear a corner of that envelope, my brother will have something to say to you.” “YES SIR!” he stood stock straight at the mention of Ozai, accepted the letters, then immediately took off. ****Later, at port**** “HIKARU!” the captain shouted. “Yes?” the twelve-year old boy replied. He came up on deck, pulling on a light blue tunic, characteristic of water-benders. “Load this crate onto the ship. Be careful, it’s fragile.” The captain ordered, and walked away. “Young man?” the guard asked politely. “How can I help you, sir?” he bowed slightly. “I have a note for you, I was ordered to deliver it to whoever loads this crate onto the ship, and no one else,” he said, handing him the note. “Thank you, sir,” Hikaru said, bowing deeply. “I must be off. Good speed to you and your ship.” The guard walked off at a brisk pace. “Wonder what it says…” Hikaru thought aloud, as he took up his stance. Using waterbending alone, he lifted the crate onto the deck, and took it into the hold. This boy was advanced for his age, but he had no other way to make his skills useful. He set the crate down onto the floor of the ship, and streamed the water back to the harbor. Anxious, he took out the letter and opened it. He took a second to notice the royal insignia on the seal, then read it to himself. “To whomever receives this crate: I apologize in advance for the trouble this may cause you. Tell no one of this note, and destroy it as soon as possible. In this crate is a young girl named Mara. She has fled the palace in hopes that she may live to see another day. She has been wrongly accused of crimes in the palace. I want you to send her to the Water Tribe, and find her a home. Keep her safe, until you get her to her new home. She should have enough food for a couple more days. After that, you must find a way to keep her fed. Sincerely, General Iroh P.S. I have also sent a case of ginseng tea as a small thanks. I hope you enjoy it.” Hikaru stared at the parchment dumbstruck. A girl inside the case? A letter from the famous General Iroh himself? Impossible… he proceeded to open the crate, expecting only to find a case of tea. He opened the box to find a small girl no more than six huddled inside, asleep. When he leaned in to take a better look, she let out a soft whimper. Hikaru nearly fell backward in shock. Regaining his composure, he reached into the box. “Hey… hey, little girl, wake up.” He gently shook her shoulder. “FORGIVE ME OZAI!” she shrieked at the top of her lungs. She sat bolt straight and opened her eyes to a shocked, silver-haired waterbender. For a while, they sat, eyes locked. Hikaru finally got the nerve to ask “Are you Mara?” She was lightly sobbing from her nightmare, and all she could manage was a nod. “Hey, it’s okay, you’re safe here.” He extended a hand to help her out of the crate. “Who are you?” she asked timidly. “I’m Hikaru, a boy from the Northern Water Tribe. At least, that’s where I was from…” his voice trailed off. “You’re a waterbender? Why are you here in the Fire Nation?” she asked, concerned for her new friend’s safety. “My employer had to deliver something to the Firelord. He runs a freight business. He really didn’t want to come here, seeing as I’m his only able hand. But he couldn’t refuse the offer he was given to haul those goods.” “Oh… can we please not talk of the Firelord?” she pleaded. “I wish to forget him completely.” “That’s fine-” He was cut off mid sentence by his master clambering down the stairs. “Darn! Quick, hide over there, in that corner!” he hissed, urging her on. She silently hid in the corner, just out of sight behind a large crate. The captain had obviously had too much to drink again. One could smell it on his breath. “Boy, what’s all the noise down here?” he slurred, staggering toward Hikaru. “Nothing, sir, I merely slipped with the pry-bar while inspecting the crate,” he lied smoothly. “What’d ya find?” “A few trifles, and a case of tea” “We don’t deliver that kind of junk!” he shouted, striking Hikaru across the face. He fell to the floor, leaving a spot of blood where his face had landed. Mara stifled a gasp. “Next time, load something worth shipping!” Hikaru said nothing, hunched over in a defensive position. The captain scoffed and stumbled up onto the deck. Immediately after, Mara ran over to the wounded waterbender. “Are you all right?” she asked, knowing too well he wasn’t. “Just get me some water from that barrel over there” he instructed. She dashed over and filled a nearby bucket with water. She handed him the water, which he used to clean the blood from his face and the floor. Once not a mark was left, he deftly put the water back in the bucket. Mara hesitated a minute, then asked, “Is he always like this?” “The question should be ‘When is he not like this’,” he retorted, “If he does that one more time, I swear I’ll…” Hikaru clenched his fists. Suddenly, the water in the goblet exploded, sending bloody liquid everywhere. Mara was quick enough to shield her face, but the rest of her was drenched. “Oh, God! I’m sorry! You ok?” Hikaru asked. “I’m fine…” she answered, wiping the liquid from her face. “Can you get me to the Water Tribe from here?” she begged. The two locked eyes for a moment. Mara could see in his eyes a deep longing, a great desire brought forth in that simple request. Hikaru could see in the girl much fear, a wish to just get out; yet something in her wanted to remain. “To tell the truth, that could be very hard. I came from the Northern Water Tribe myself…” His voice trailed off as he recalled the story. “Five years ago, my home was attacked by the Fire Nation. Everywhere around me was covered in fire. My father, one of the warriors, was killed in that battle…” He wiped a tear from his eye. Mara dropped her head in reverence. “I’m so sorry…” “It’s not your fault… you aren’t a Fire Nation soldier…” he sighed. “My mother knew it was unsafe for me to remain there with her. She sent me off on this boat in hopes that I would return once the fighting stopped. However, my “master” grew accustomed to my presence, and decided to keep me on board. I’ve lived here ever since.” “Haven’t you tried to get home?” “Many times… but he refuses to let me go. It’ll be a challenge to get him to go up north, but I think we may be able to pull it off. I’ll see what I can do. For now though, you look hungry. I’ll get some food from the kitchen.” He strode off. Chapter 18 “How much longer till we’re on the ship,” Kane-rai whispered to Iroh through the crate top. Quickly Iroh looked around to see if anyone was looking. “Soon Kane-rai. Enough talking, I have to go. May you have a safe journey to the earth kingdom and may we hope to see each other again some day,” whispered Iroh as he closed the lid. “Same here Iroh,” whispered Kane-rai as the lid closed firmly shut. Comments Please. I haven't had any in a while | 
. Well, (If anyone still watches me...) I'll give everyone the inside scoop on my life. 
In three weeks and a day, I'm going to Washington D.C. with my homeschool group. Lots of cool sites to go and see, but saddly they said that they are probably going to cut out Monticelo. Why? Because when we get back to Ohio saturday we have time to get some sleep before we get back home. I've gained a new interest in the Anime/Manga world. I proudly present *Drum roll* Naruto. So far my top four favorit characters are: 1. Gai Sensei 2. Rock Lee 3. Kakashi Sensei and 4. Tsunade-suma.
. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)Has kicked in and that's depressing. So far I've had a clean bill of heath this season. 
Wednesday my Awana group had a HUGE fire and we sang songs, roasted hot dogs, and (of coarse) toasted marshmellows. Last night, at about 11:30 my mom had seen a huge spider (I mean it) and IT WOULD NOT DIE!! We think it was, like, bionic spider. We would spray it with bug spray and it would do it's little twitch twitch movement, then get back up and start walking again. It took about five minutes for us to kill it actualy died. Can we say creepy? I broke up with my old boy friend Luke. Why some might ask? I figure I just got board. So now I have a new boy friend named Tom. Also, Lord of the Rings elf lovers I have a xanga blog 
