Chapter 2 – Healing

The water was soothing; Kya had done a perfect job on the burn wounds that had wrapped themselves around his hands. Kann felt the water cool and drip off his hands, leaving them clean and in tact.

"There you go Kann, that's the last of it" Kya said

Kann rubbed his hands; the skin was as it was before Akeme attacked him, "Thank you Kya, it's perfect"

Kya stood up, "You're very welcome" she looked seriously at Kann, "But I want you to think about what I said, you have to speak with her"

"I know…" Kann looked at the floor, "I'll try and find her"

"Good" Kya said, she picked up a jug of water from the floor, "She'll be feeling just as bad, if not worse, than you are. Just have some courtesy when you apologise, don't just barge in on her" she walked out of the door.

Kann sat on the bed with his head in his hands, "Atka's going to kill me when he finds out about this…"

/

Masaru was in a mood; he was shooting flames from his hands quickly and viciously. The targets had long since burnt away but there was no stopping him, though he soon fell to his knees with exhaustion.

Soon some giggling was heard coming up the road past the target range, it was Piazzo and his girlfriend Hikari. They stopped by where Masaru was on his knees.

Piazzo looked through the gate at him, "All right Mas?" he asked cheerfully

Masaru looked back at him, "Yeah, fine…" he said, annoyed

Piazzo and Hikari looked at each other briefly and looked back at him. Hikari spoke, "I'm going back to my room, I'll see you later Piazzo" she walked off and Piazzo went into the target range.

"What's on your mind?" he asked

Masaru stared at the ground, "Nothing, I'm just practising my firebending"

Sighing, Piazzo sat down crossed legged in front of his younger brother, "I've known you long enough to know when you're annoyed. Now tell me what the matter is"

Masaru got off his knees and sat down, "I don't think you'd understand…" he said

Piazzo laughed, "I think I do!" he looked knowingly into Masaru's eyes, "Its about you and Kann isn't it?" he asked

"How did you know about that?" Masaru asked

"Everyone knows! You've been fighting all week" Piazzo said, "Just talk to him about it, you'll sort it out"

Masaru stared at the ground and ran his fingers through the sand, "Its not just him, its Akeme as well…" he said quietly

Piazzo didn't sound surprised, "Sibling squabbles, understandable…"

"It's a bit more than a squabble…" Masaru said

"How do you mean?" Piazzo replied

Masaru looked up at him, "She and Kann had a row, a big one. She burnt him…"

Piazzo stood up in shock, "She did what?"

"Attacked Kann and burnt him, I bet she's in the garden congratulating herself…" Masaru spoke with a poisonous tone and spat the words out with disgust.

Piazzo tried to calm his brother down, "Please Mas, I'm sure there's a bit more to it than that"

Masaru quickly stood up, "She's out of control!" he shouted

"Who's out of control?" Roku had entered the target range, "What are you talking about?"

Masaru relaxed, "Akeme…" he said forcefully

Roku raised an eyebrow, "Akeme?" he asked

"She burnt Kann!" Masaru spat

"Kann said it was a training accident…" Roku said uncertainly

Masaru crossed his arms, "Well it wasn't, Akeme attacked him…"

Piazzo butted in, "You just told me they had a row, don't lie Mas!" he said sincerely.

Masaru ignored him, "You have to deal with her dad!"

"Just slow down a minute, we all need to talk about this together" Roku stepped back, "Meet me in the house in an hour, I'm going to find Kann and Akeme"

Piazzo stayed with Masaru after their father left, "You have to sort this out you know, no more lies"

Masaru stood with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face, the early evening sun reflecting off his face.

/

The sun was setting as Atka finished his walk around the garden; he'd made his way back to the house and had entered through the door.

He noticed Kya walking on the landing above, she was carrying a jug with her, and she walked down the stairs towards him.

"Hello Kya" Atka said quietly, the confrontation with Akeme still playing heavily on his mind.

Kya nodded, "Atka, how are you feeling?" she asked

Atka exhaled, "Fine, physically…"

"What do you mean?" Kya asked

"I've just been talking to Akeme…" Atka said

Kya tensed up; "Ah…" she pulled Atka into a side room, which contained a bed and a shallow bath. This was Kya's healing room.

She sat Atka down, "I guess you know what happened then?" she asked

Atka nodded, "Sounds like they had an argument…" he said

Kya moved forward, "From what I've gathered Kann and Masaru have been having relationship troubles and Kann took out his anger on Akeme by shouting at her. Then Akeme snapped and shot fire at him…"

Atka put his head in his hands, "This is too much…I've just woken up after a week and it turns out all my friends hate each other…" he pulled his knees up to his chin.

"I think I can help" Kya said, she made Atka lie on the bed and filled the jug with water. "I'm going to relax you with water bending, I think we can also trigger some of those lost memories at the same time" she bended some water around her hands and placed them on the side of his head.

Atka closed his eyes and let the water soothe him. He felt lighter than before and his breathing became deep and soft. Images formed in his head, they were misty and it was difficult to make out what was going on in them. Kya moved a finger from each hand onto Atka's forehead and the images became clearer.

He could see a mass of lights and people on a long stone path; it was the Royal Plaza in the Fire Nation. Atka was floating above the scene, out of his body. He looked around and he soon saw himself in the middle of the Plaza with his friends, he noticed that Akeme was gripping his arm.

The first image faded into another, this time on top of a cliff above the Plaza. He was alone with Akeme next to a fountain and they both appeared to be sitting close to each other. Soon Atka felt a rush in his body, Akeme was kissing him.

The image faded again and Atka was standing in front of the building that stood at the end of the Plaza. There was a burst of orange flame and rubble as an explosion engulfed the building and him.

The next thing Atka knew was himself standing inside the palace, which was full of robed figures. One of them jumped out and shot lightning at Fire Lord Zuko, who slumped to the ground.

Suddenly, Atka was standing alone in the centre of the room. He was looking at himself. His eyes and tattoo's were glowing and he stood with a scowl on his face. There was a gust of wind and an airbender appeared where Atka stood before, it was Aang. Then Atka noticed a spiralling flame above Aang's head, just before the image faded again.

Now Atka was outside, in the harbour, he could see himself at the top of a huge waterspout. His arms moved and a large wave formed, it engulfed the ships and they scattered.

A rush of images flew through Atka's head, one more prominent than the others. Avatar Aang was there in his minds eye, he was mouthing some words but Atka knew exactly what he meant. Water Tribe. Another image became prominent, the kiss with Akeme. Atka felt the rush again as the two images flashed between each other, it soon became too much.

Atka shot up into a sitting position and he was back in reality. Water splashed everywhere and Kya let out a small yelp. Atka breathed in and out anxiously, he had broken out in a cold sweat.

Kya put a hand on his shoulder, "Are you ok?" she asked with concern.

Atka continued to hyperventilate, "I think so…" he said between breaths.

He lay back on the bed and played back the images he had just seen, "I saw myself…" he said as he calmed down, "I was in the Avatar State…"

Kya pulled herself closer, "You were looking at yourself? You were out of your body?"

Nodding, Atka wiped some sweat from his brow. "I also saw Aang…" he said quietly

Kya sounded surprised, "You saw my dad?" she said with shock

"Yeah, he said I have to go to the Northern Water Tribe as soon as possible" Atka said. "I don't know why, but I think it's important…"

/

There was a tense atmosphere in the room; everyone was avoiding each other's gaze. Kann, Akeme and Masaru sat on the same sofa, but with crossed arms and frowns. Only Roku and Boncho looked reasonably comfortable with the situation, they stood in front of the sofa.

"You three are in big trouble…" Roku said sincerely.

There was no reaction from any of them so Boncho continued, "This is very serious, you have gone way over the line and you're all to blame"

Masaru spoke with indignation, "Sorry, but I haven't done anything!"

Roku put his hand up, "Silence Masaru" he said forcefully, "Let us finish"

Boncho took a step forward, "Your arguing has been driving everyone mad and it's up to you to sort it out, however, you have gone over the line"

Akeme glanced at Kann who had a steely look on his face, she knew what Boncho was referring to and was expecting a serious punishment.

Roku made himself look bigger, "Akeme" she looked up at her father, "I'm sending you to live with the Air Acolytes in the Northern Air Temple"

She wasn't expecting to hear that. Although she had been to the Northern Air Temple in the past she wasn't happy at this news.

"You're actions have shown me that you need to learn self control, the Air Acolytes will teach you to meditate and control yourself" Roku paced around the room, "You'll be there until the Acolytes deem you to have attained a level of control that allows to use your bending responsibly"

Akeme sank into her seat, she held in her tears. "When do I leave?" she asked reluctantly.

Roku stopped pacing and faced her, "Tonight, an airship will take you overnight. Now go and pack your things…"

Akeme got up and walked out the door, her head was hanging in sadness and shame.

Now Roku turned to the other two, "Now then…" he started. "Masaru, I'll admit that you didn't have as much to do with this situation as Akeme or Kann so your punishment isn't as severe"

Masaru smiled a tiny smile, he felt like he had got off lighter than Akeme.

Boncho took over, "You're coming with me to the Earth Kingdom" he said shortly

Masaru was confused, "What do you mean?" he asked

"I'm going into the Earth Kingdom with some of my troops to track down one person in particular, a very important person" Boncho continued

"Who?" Masaru asked

Boncho crossed his arms, "Classified information, sorry" he replied

Masaru still had questions, "Why am I going with you?" he asked

It was Roku who replied, "You need some more experiences away from your family, you've been far too sheltered throughout your life. You've had far too many privileges"

Now it was Kann's turn to learn his fate, Boncho looked his son directly in the eyes. "As for you Kann, you're going home to Ba Sing Se"

Kann looked up in shock, "Why?" he asked loudly

Boncho kept a straight face, "Because I can't trust you to be here at this time. You're going back home to the rest of our family, they'll be pleased to see you"

Kann stood up with frustration, "You can't send me away! Atka still has earthbending to learn!"

"Actually the Avatar has his own mission, he's going to the North Pole for us" Roku replied

Kann was indignant, "Oh so Atka and Masaru get missions, but I don't!"

Boncho held his arm out, "No, it's not like that…"

"But it is!" Kann interrupted his father, "Despite everything you still don't trust me!"

Boncho looked down, "Of course I trust you…"

The door opened and Atka walked in and Zuko, who had a bandage over his shoulder, followed him.

Zuko spoke first, "I've just spoken to my grand daughter" he said, "It's fair to say she's not happy" he crossed his arms

Roku sighed, "I've made my decision" he said pointedly

"I've also spoken to Atka here, I think we've come up with an idea that works for all of us" Zuko said with a slight smile.

Atka took a step forward, "I'm going to the Northern Water Tribe, and Akeme is coming with me" he said.

Roku stepped closer to the two of them, "I thought you wanted to spend some time here before you went?" he asked

Atka looked away slightly, "I don't think there's much chance of that happening now is there?" he said

"What's brought this on?" Roku asked

Atka recounted what he had seen in his memories, from the Avatar State to what Aang had told him. He left out the kiss.

Roku stood scratching his chin, "Looks like you have to go in that case…" he turned to Boncho, "What do you think?"

Boncho shrugged, "I have to be honest, I don't know much about the Avatar or spirits, or anything like that. If the Avatar think's its important then he should go"

Roku looked back at Atka, "Very well. Just one question, why do you want to take Akeme?"

Atka looked squarely at Roku, "When we were back in the Fire Nation she told me that the only thing she wanted to do was go on an adventure and make a difference in the world. Going to the North Pole will help her achieve that"

Zuko addressed his son, "Roku, sending her away on her own to the Air Temple will not solve these problems, please consider this"

Roku looked at the ground, "If you think it will help then I will allow it"

Atka grinned, "Great! I'll go and tell her!" he ran out of the room, Zuko stayed behind.

He looked at Kann and Masaru, who had stayed silent, "I think these two should travel together, they could work on their relationship issues then" with that Zuko left the room.

Boncho and Roku looked at each other before they turned their attention to the two young people in front of them.

"There is no way I'm taking you both to the Earth Kingdom with me" Boncho said, "I'm not going to risk this mission. You're still going back to Ba Sing Se Kann"

Kann looked away in silence

/

Atka burst into Akeme's room; she was lying on the bed facing away from the door. She turned over as Atka entered; she had let her hair down and had red eyes.

"They said yes! You can come to the North Pole with me!" he said enthusiastically

Akeme immediately sat up and grinned, "Really?" she said with a hint of disbelief. Atka nodded at her and Akeme jumped up and flung her arms around his neck. "I never thought he'd change his mind!" she said joyfully

"I think Zuko swung it" Atka said with a smile

Akeme released her arms, "I better pack, I'm going to need my winter coat" she went over to the cupboard at the side of the room and pulled some clothes out.

Atka walked over to the door, "I'm going to pack as well then, I'll see you at dinner" with that he went back to his own room.

On the way he past Kann's room, the door was slightly ajar, so he walked in to see him sitting on the bed with a bag that he was angrily throwing things into.

Atka approached him cautiously, "Kann?" he asked

Kann didn't turn around, "I didn't know you had woken up…" he said quietly

Atka scratched his head, "Yeah" he was feeling awkward, "Listen I'm sorry about everything that's happened"

"Yeah right…" Kann spat, "If you were sorry then you would have taken me to the North Pole instead of her" he finally turned to face Atka, he had a face of thunder.

Atka stepped closer to him, "Why does it matter? You're still helping out here, you don't have to go around the world with me to help"

Kann stood up, "It matters because I hate this place!" he shouted, "Nothing good has happened since I've been here! And now I'm getting sent home to Ba Sing Se!"

Atka didn't know this, "What?" he asked

"That's right, Ba Sing Se" Kann replied

Atka looked at the ground, "If you want to come with me then I'm sure I can convince your dad to allow it…" he suggest

Kann crossed his arms, "No way! I'm not going anywhere near that crazy girlfriend of yours!" he shouted

Atka was getting angry, "How dare you call Akeme crazy!" he shouted back "You're just a sour, angry, immature little boy!"

Kann turned around and picked his bag up, "Guess that makes two of us then…" he said quietly. He elbowed his way past Atka out of the door before stopping in the corridor; "It's been fun Avatar, goodbye…" he walked down the corridor and out of the house.

Atka stood in silence in the dark room think about what had just happened. He eventually walked out and into his own room; he sat down on the bed deep in thought.

"Goodbye Kann…"