Avatar the Last Airbender
Book 4 – Air
Chapter 2: The Airbender's Secret
"Uncle, we're in danger wherever we go. We've gotten used to it."
The sun was bleeding crimson red. The streaks of the wound's tears flashed throughout, merging profusely with the amber shades and purple hues that tainted the open heavens. The young woman listened to the scene and took it in. There was something about sunsets that captured the eloquence of nature's peace. Symphonies of chirps from various birds called, the nighttime creatures stirring in their sleep, maddened by the cries of the world awakening them.
"They just never shut up do they?" The man walked up to Suki, shaking his head. Suki rolled her eyes, a hand playing at her hip as she looked at her ex-boyfriend.
"No need to ruin the moment." She said, though a smile tugged the corners of her lip.
"Actually, I think I just enhanced it." Sokka replied, hands clutching the rails of the balcony. It was a beautiful sunset; even he had to admit it. The Fire Nation may not be the country of his preference but their sunsets always seemed to stand out somehow, even though it was the same sun everywhere they went. Their skies were lit ablaze, as if they'd set fire to them. It was a silent explosion that screamed peace – and it was such a beautiful paradox. He stopped breathing for a moment, thinking back to the last time they'd seen a sunset together. Suki was in his arms that time. Now, she was desperately trying to get farther away.
Sokka looked at his friend, "I've missed you."
Suki studied the pattern of the rail, memorizing the intricate design that consisted of only congruent squares. "Yeah." She nodded hesitantly, "I've missed you too." Inside, she hoped he wasn't going to say anything too crucial. She was too tired to take anything in today. Wanting to glance at him, she bit down the urge, crushing her lip against her teeth, relishing in the diverting pain.
She didn't just miss him. And he knows that, Suki rolled her eyes.
They were close, Sokka realized. They were pretty close. But the gap of six inches was still way too big. He stood on his toes gently and raised himself up, then scooted to the right, taking little baby toe steps.
"Sokka, I can see you, you know. I know you're trying to get closer." She stuck out an arm; her hand spread apart on Sokka's face, but made no motion to move the hand.
Katara was pacing out of panic, her eyes scanning the letter absorbing the ink. No…no it can't be. Her eyes were starting to leak, her face flushed. No, she repeated, chanting the word as if her life depended on it. It seemed as if every time something went wrong, everything else followed with it. She reread the letter, hoping the words had changed from the previous time.
She was caught up in the letter when he walked into the room. He raised an eyebrow, questioning himself on whether or not to intrude. Her back was turned – he couldn't see the tears. She still hadn't heard him come in when he coughed, trying to gain attention. Whipping around, her eyes wide, she looked like a rabbit-deer caught in the basking spotlight of a hunter's torch.
"Katara?" he was doing his best not to groan right then. He had a feeling that this was going to be absolutely dreadful. Sure, Katara was one of the more…he tried to think of the right word…emotional, he decided. Yeah, Katara was one of the more emotional girls around here but there had to be a reason as to why she was crying. He silently prayed it wasn't too big of a problem. She couldn't take on any more responsibilities. And, frankly, he couldn't take on any more responsibilities either. His heart reached out for her, hoping she was okay. Katara didn't want him to know – Zuko couldn't take all this thrust onto him.
"Katara, are you okay?" honest empathy found itself dripping from his voice, not used to being used.
"Yeah no. I'm fine. I got something in my eye that's all." She nodded, smiling.
"Then…then what's that?" he pointed to the letter.
"What's what?"
"That."
"What's that? Zuko, what are you talking about?"
"That's that." He looked like an angry child, confused and angry about that as well, "The letter. Is that why you were crying?"
"I told you I got something in my eye and the letter-"
"So you're crying from pain? From…getting the letter in your eye?"
She nodded, pressing her lips together to prevent an angry groan. Zuko asked, "Wait…what was the letter doing in your eye?"
"Out!"
Startled and a bit afraid, he left. Not wanting to be the one who told him the bad news, she grabbed the letter in search of Aang. Five years had done well to their relationship. They'd matured and grew up together. They couldn't call each other 'girlfriend and boyfriend' she shook her head. It was just too…sappy. It just wasn't enough, considering how much they'd been through. Wife and husband? She grinned and blushed at the thought, her eyes finding Aang almost automatically. But she couldn't blame it on her heart – the man attracted a lot of attention. Everyone had an Aang-radar by now. She exhaled, not knowing she was holding her breath.
"Aang." She placed a hand on Aang's shoulder, careful to not speak too loud as he was meditating.
"What's wrong now?" Aang said. Katara raised an eyebrow – was the only time she spoke to people when she had bad news? She frowned and handed him the letter. "It's Uncle Iroh..."
"Oh no." He took the letter from her outstretched hand, his mouth agape. The envelope read 'To My Friends. The Ones Who Will Not Laugh At This' and the letter inside, Aang could tell, was an assistant's penmanship. Iroh must be too weak to write it himself. His brown eyes took in the words, melting at their message.
"He's sick, Aang." Another tear found its way down her tan cheek, following the path of its ancestors. Uncle had been more and more like a father to the group. No, not a father. He was a friend, an ally, a dependent. Toph and Zuko had long been affectionate towards the man, and Aang had received so much advice during those five harsh years that followed. An Era of Reconstruction had been Uncle's idea and plan, and when Sokka was feeling wary of his powers – or lack thereof – it was Uncle that he went to. And Katara sighed, when the anniversary of her mother's death arrived, it was Uncle who had consoled her first. Even Sokka had started to let it go; even Aang was nowhere to be found. He was the one thing that grounded them and now-
"He's dying." Aang whispered.
"You're dying." He whispered, the light from the lamp was a hypnotically trance. Iroh's eyes followed rhythmically and desperately.
"I'm dying." He repeated, becoming more confident and surer of his words.
Toph looked at the girl through her feet. She was so much like Aang – her feet barely even touching the ground. She knew she wasn't a firebender, they always seemed to strike the ground with their feet, as if challenging the world itself to a combat. Some Earthbenders had a way of moving with the earth.
She's an airbender.
She's…an airbender.
Oh whoa – she's an airbender! Toph chewed a side of her cheek, cocking her head to the side. "I have a few friends I think you'd like to meet." She let the mute girl grip her hand stronger, and they walked.
"It's weird, you know. I kind of depend on people to speak to me so I can know them better." Toph shrugged. She had useless eyes; the girl had a useless throat. But you know what they say, shit happens. Toph's new companion walked almost hesitantly, as if unsure whether or not to follow someone who's eyes knew not where to go. But she did anyways.
2write2life: Well I appreciate the support, really. And I can totally relate – my head is just a mess of random episodes all mashed together.
Heyimjustrandomlolz: Thank you! And I guess I followed your 'update' advice.
.fire: Ha, yehp, that's true. That comment kind of made it the awesomest review though.
Justthisguyyouknow: Thanks! Yea the whole Mako thing struck me as awfully sad. And how'd you know killing you with humility was my idea all along? Update your story, that's an order.
Clearspring2009: Ha, you should write one! It was an inappropriate cliffhanger, I completely agree. It made no sense if they weren't even going to tell us.
Zuko's broken-bond: I've heard about that – it seems cool but I'd rather see more of our Gaang. And thanks so much! Pshh, I try.
avatarsgirl123: I wanted more romance but I don't want to make it too different from the original ATLA. And Zuko with Jun is ideally perfect but...you'll see.
Heywazzupbuddy: Ha thanks, I just imagined all the characters acting and saying corresponding to what I wrote.
Update plz: Thanks for reviewing – as you can see, I updated. You're welcome :D Sorry it was such a short chapter - I'm working on another story.