Application for Huu

*Crack*

The sound of steel on wood. A familiar but unwelcome sound. Sighing, Huu grabbed the bark mask he used in his "swamp thing" disguise.
"When will they ever learn?" he thought, rapidly bending vines around himself into the menacing beast he used to scare travellers. He disliked hurting people, but who would listen to a short, grey-haired old man? After all, not all people had the time to stop and listen to the wisdom of a wizened old waterbender. In fact, no one had listened, a far as he could remember. Except for Aang. He still remembered the day he fought Aang and shared his knowledge with the Avatar. "Time is an illusion, and so is death." His words echoed through his mind as he closed in on the sound. Halfway there, he stopped short. Fire Nation troops.
"How could they have found the swamp? Why are they here?" thoughts flew through his head. Changing course, he dashed to the village.
"We're under attack!" he shouted at Tho and Due.
"What? By who?" replied Tho.
"Firebenders! I'll go head them off!" Huu shouted back. Swinging through the trees he leapt over the troops, sending an armlike tangle of vines down to grab the rear officer. He let out an anguished grunt, then went limp.
"Monster!" shouted one of the officers."Call for reinforcements!" Within thirty seconds the area was full of troops and fire. Huu wondered if he had ever fought like this before, and in the back of his mind, if he would ever fight again.