Chapter 63 - Engagement Gifts

"That was very sweet of you.", I said to Irene telepathically.

"What do you mean?", she inquired.

"You were very aggressive about keeping her away from me. While I appreciate your concern, unfortunately you are stuck with me for life. No one is going to separate us.", I assured her, "Even if you want to leave, I would still chase you."

Giving me a side glance to see if I was serious, she smiled a bit and didn't say anything else. Keeping my eyes on the path ahead of us, I listened to the girls talk fashion with each other as well as discuss plans for our vacation. Since I we would be walking for a few hours, till we stopped for lunch, I decided to swap out with a Body Double so I could work on the engagement items.

---Avatar World, North Pole---

Slipping away from the women, I went out of the city to avoid being seen. Once I was a few miles from anyone, I took a seat to determine what I wanted to do. Brining out precious gemstones, metals, and other potential jewelry pieces I sat them nearby so I could view it all.

"Let's see here...for Katara's Betrothal Necklace I want to make it with Aquamarine.", I spoke out loud.

Searching through my inventory for any Aquamarine, I found a few pieces from Dungeon Loot and stuff taken from the Evilus Vaults. Examining the pieces I had to work with, I settled on a very vibrant stone that reminded me of photos I had seen of the waters in the Caribbean. Using Dark Matter to shave it into a smooth hemisphere, I thought about what I should carve into it.

"The design has to be beautiful, and I want to do something meaningful...", I muttered reflecting on our past, "I think a penguin would do nicely."

Etching an Otter Penguin on the stone, I was happy with the level of detail I was able to make with my Dark Matter. Initially I thought it would be difficult to pull off, given the small area, but it turned out like it had been laser etched. Attaching it to a black leather band with detailed silver inlay, I enchanted so that it would never lose it's shine or be damaged in anyway. The betrothal necklace would have to stand the test of time, so I wanted to never have to worry about it.

Once I had the inlay exactly how I wanted it, I set it aside and began working on the other two items. I wanted to make Azula an ornate ring, and Ty Lee would get a pair of bracelets as it suited her active lifestyle better. Taking out scraps of paper to draw up designs, I spent the new few hours focused on making the gifts.

---Three Hours Later---

Returning home from the tundra, I came inside and took off my coat. Greeting me as I walked into the dining room, Azula was the first to notice what I had in hand. Sitting up in her seat, she cleared her throat to get the other's attention.

"About time you remembered.", she laughed with a smile.

"Hey now, cut me some slack. I have been incredibly busy with political nightmares and flying everywhere, it took me a while to find the time to sit down and handmake these.", I stated presenting them to the girls, "I hope you like them."

Handing Katara hers, she looked at her betrothal necklace in shock. Staring at the very detailed etching of the Otter Penguin, she started to tear up a bit. Before I could say anything, she ran upstairs probably to see herself in a mirror. Giving her a few minutes, she came flying down the stairs to give me a hug and a kiss.

"This is a wonderful betrothal necklace, I can't wait to show Gran Gran and my parents!", she said with a beaming smile, "I swear I will treasure it for the rest of my life!"

"Yeah yeah, you have something for Ty Lee and I right?", Azula inquired impatiently.

Letting out a sigh, Katara smirked while shaking her head at Azula. Pulling Azula's Ring out of my pocket, Azula gasped when she saw the Golden Chinese Dragon themed ring. Taking inspiration from Super Shenron, I had designed the ring so it look like it encircled her finger several times. Staring into it's Red Topaz eyes, I could see the overwhelming excitement on her face. Slipping it, I confirmed that it fit her perfectly without any issue.

"I love it, thank you very much.", she said as she walked over, "This is for your hard work."

Giving me a kiss on the lips, she gave me a warm smile. I honestly wished she smiled more like that because she looked really attractive when she did so. If I could have stared into her eyes a bit longer I would have, but Ty Lee was bouncing around in her seat with excitement. Telling me to give Ty Lee hers before she exploded, I walked over to my jacket to get the bracelets.

"I knew that a ring might inhibit your ability to do things, so I opted for something less restrictive.", I stated as I showed her the bracelets.

All three women stared at the bracelets in utter shock. Having used Sterling Silver as the base, there were tiny Opal stones all over the bracelets that were all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Quickly slipping them on, she waved her arms around in the air watching the bracelets change colors. Running outside to see how they looked in the direct sunlight, she came barreling back in a few moments later and jumped on me.

"I love it!!", she shouted with excitement, "Thank you so much Mael!"

Kissing me for the very first time, she was actually very aggressive about it. Wrapping her arms around my neck, Ty Lee about lost herself in the moment as she started sliding down my abs. Getting up from the table, Katara and Azula had to pry her off me before she crossed the line.

"We agreed to wait!", Azula scolded her, "You agreed to it."

"I...I know, but he put a lot of thought into these.", Ty Lee said looking at the bracelets again.

"He certainly did...", Katara said looking at her necklace again, "It will only be a few weeks though, we can wait."

"I am sorry Mael, you'll have to wait a bit longer.", Ty Lee apologized.

Staring at them, I was at a loss for what was being said. Initially the plan was to wait for our journey to end, but now we were talking a few weeks. Seemingly understanding what I was confused about, Azula told me that they had come to a consensus to move it up sooner. They had been taking notice of my partner in crime every morning, since we shared a bed. Due to this, they wanted to move forward with taking things to the next level...the engagement gifts sealed the deal for them.

"We will surprise you when it happens.", Azula assured me.

"Okay?", I said with a smirk, "I will have to wait and see."

Telling me to take a seat, Katara started to prepare lunch for us with assistance from Ty Lee. While they were doing that, I looked around for Yue. I was sure this whole scene probably upset her a bit but she wasn't anywhere to be found. Noticing what I was doing, Azula informed me she was over over at her house packing her things.

"Everything okay?", I asked.

"Not really, she is very angry with several of the young men in Pakku's class.", Katara stated, "As you are aware, they used to treat her very badly...referring to her as an abomination and a monster. Well now that she is healed and looks beautiful, they are all after her now."

"Frankly I don't blame her, if they don't want you at your worst they don't deserve you at your best.", Azula said giving me a smile.

"So then this is her way of avoiding people.", I replied.

"In particular, one guy...Hahn.", Ty Lee spat in disgust.

For Ty Lee to be disgusted by him, he had to have done something really bad. When I pressed her for details, she informed me that he wasn't taking no for answer from Yue. He was using his family's influence and sway to push her into it. Not only that, he had made passing attempts on Katara, Azula, and her...he was trying to claim he was a better man for them. Setting my cup of water down, I stood up from my seat and said I would be back.

"Please don't kill him.", Katara stated, "You can beat the crap out of him, just don't kill him. We need them to help rebuild the South Pole, and killing him may hinder that."

Nodding my head, I said that wouldn't be an issue. Stepping out of the house, I headed over to where Yue used to live and found the man in question outside. He was trying to get overly comfortable with her, and she was clearly not interested in him.

"Come on Yue, you can tell we are meant to be together.", Hahn said trying to act charming.

"I told you no, and that is final. You are only interested now that I have a beautiful face, where were you when I was left alone looking out my bedroom window?", she questioned.

"That's all in the past now, you got to give me a chance.", he stated reach for her coat.

Grabbing his hand before he touched her, both of them looked up at me. Yue smiled happily at my arrival, but Hahn's face paled in fear. I wasn't wearing my coat at the moment so I am sure he felt the heat radiating off my body as I gave him a grin.

"I think Yue told you no, that should be enough for you.", I told him, "Not only that...what's this I hear about you hitting on my fiancées?"

"I...I don't know what you mean!", he refuted trying to shake my grip, "As for Yue, she should marry someone from her tribe not an outsider like you!"

Unfortunately for him my hand wasn't letting go, and was tightening more and more around his forearm. The fact he stuttered through his answer about Katara, Azula, and Ty Lee made me certain what they said was fact.

"First of all, don't ever try flirting with them again...they are spoken for.", I said calmly as his forearm snapped in half, "Secondly-"

"AHH!!!", he screamed in pain.

Grabbing him by the face, he immediately shut his mouth.

"Secondly, cause Yue or her father any trouble...there will be trouble with me. You had ample opportunity over the past fifteen years, but not once did you attempt to befriend her. Now that she is good looking, you want to take her for yourself. Scum like you is exactly why some women become bitter and angry with the world.", I chuckled, "Now this is your only warning..."

Exuding a large amount of killing intent, his eyes opened wide in fear.

"Don't ever let me catch you within ten feet of her, she gave you an answer now move along.", I said tossing him to the ground.

His friends that were nearby came running over, and grabbed his coat. Having felt my killing intent as well, they knew I wasn't joking or making a half hearted threat. I would kill him if he got close to the four women again, and they probably would make sure he kept away from them. Letting a chuckle, I turned back to see Yue wearing a smile on her face.

"No one has ever stood up for me before...not even my father.", she stated as she looked up at me, "Thank you...you don't know how much it means...to have someone...in your...corner..."

Choking up, she started crying as she dropped her things and hugged me. She had suffered enough, she had lived fifteen years of hell and been given a second chance at life. Having the people that once called her a monster suddenly want her probably made her sick to her stomach. The thought they were only after her body likely made her want to flee from them as no one wants to be around people like that.

"Come on, let's go home.", I told her softly as I picked up her belongings.

---3rd Person POV---

With it's master sound asleep, the Dark Slime started to ponder it's existence. Having gained the ability to read from Shang Tsung as he read the ancient text in his library, the Dark Slime had learned how cruel creation was to slimes. During the hours Shang Tsung slept, it had spent countless hours researching itself to understand why it's own kind were born so weak. Only recently did it make a startling discovery that changed it's view on things.

'We have never been allowed to reach our full potential. Our race can adapt to any environment, but before we can gain any real strength other races crush us. My kin is reduced to being used as toilet cleaners and beginner quests for monster slaying.', the Dark Slime thought as it started plan out how it could fix this problem, 'Our species will take it's rightful place at the top of the food chain!!'

With it's mind made up, it began doing all it could to learn from Shang Tsung's assortment of books to further it's own cause. For the time being, it would continue to play along with him till the opportune moment arose to kill its creator.