Good Day, Hotman!

Another chapter. She's a short one, I didn't have a whole lot of time to write. Again, thoughts and reviews are appreciated!

Iset Black


The Sacrifice

Chapter 3: Questions & Answers

Ember Island Royal Palace

Cicadas buzzed, the ocean waves lapped gently against the shore. The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the Avatar in the warm summer night.

With a sigh, Aang padded up the sandy beach and headed towards the shadowed figures who watched.

Pausing a few yards from the gathering, Aang dropped his gaze down to the royal blue robe he held. He moved his fingers over the fabric gingerly, noticing that the fabric's color shifted with the fire light of the sconces of the palace.

"Where did she go?" A female voice questioned.

Aang stood silently for a second, trying to figure the answer out for himself. "I don't know."

The airbender lifted himself to stand next to his friends, Katara's robe still held securely in his fist. Without looking back at the group, he turned back to face the dark ocean. "She never said anything, never talked to me about her concerns. She was always silent. Always supported me in what needed to happen."

The group remained silent, listening to his every word. "Maybe I missed something. Maybe she was battling something I didn't know-"

His statement wasn't so much an answer to his friends, but rather an internal monologue spoken aloud. Aang cut his words short as he turned back to his friends.

The group was silent for a moment. Suki shifted uncomfortably, her fingers laced in Sokka's. Toph's head was dropped in thought, her eyes unfocused as she listened to the airbender speak.

Zuko leaned against a wall, his own thoughts keeping him from speaking. Without another word spoken, he was next to the Avatar. Zuko placed a hand on his shoulder, as if to provide some sort of comfort to the broken man.

"Let's get out of this heat. It isn't helping anyone to think clearly." Zuko's words hung over the group heavily. After a second of hesitation, they all filed back into the villa.

Once inside, they all took seats on the various lounges and chairs strewn about the room. Sokka and Suki occupied one chaise, Toph seated herself at a table that had been set up with a spread of hot teas and various foods. As if to distract herself from the situation, she absently reached for a pork bun and began to pick it apart with her fingers. She popped a piece in her mouth and leaned back in her chair.

She knew. Knew too much, it seemed. Many times the now absent waterbender had come to her, had voiced her frustrations of battling rabid fans and attending draining peace talks. At times, Toph knew the waterbender was conflicted and in pain. No matter how hard she campaigned, supported the Avatar in his politics, she had been perceived as nothing more than his supportive female companion.

Toph's face wrenched in guilt. With one final swallow, she finished her bun. Her fist slammed against the stone table top with a hollow thud.

Frustration welled in her throat as she began to speak. "She was tired, Aang."

Another silence befell the group. Sokka and Suki shifted awkwardly in their seats, their gazes falling on a painting across the room. A few more silent moments passed.

"Fine. If you're not going to tell him, I am!" Toph's words tumbled out in an angry garble as she stood from her chair. She regarded the silent group with anger as she turned to face the Avatar.

"Katara was tired of not being accepted as your equal. Every peace summit, banquet, and random woman vying for your attention tore her to shreds. Is that what you needed to hear, Twinkle Toes?"

Aang's face paled, his gaze was focused on the marble flooring beneath him. Guilt colored his cheeks a shade of pink.

"She never told me." Aang's voice wavered as he spoke, his tone low.

"You can't be that obtuse, Aang." Suki spoke quietly as she withdrew from Sokka. "Of all of us, you're the most in tune with other's emotions."

Aang's fists balled in anger as he turned to face his friends. "She never told me, okay?" His words came out in a short burst of frustration. Out of his control, a blast of air left his fists as he spoke.

"So you all knew?" He questioned as he faced the group.

Another silence had befallen the group, their gazes focused on anything but him.

"If you're going to keep these secrets, you should at least own up to it." Aang's words stung his friends as he spoke.

Zuko stepped forward. "We thought she had spoken to you."

Anger and guilt twisted Aang's features as he turned to the Fire Lord. "You too?"

Zuko's eyes locked with Aangs. "Yes."

A sigh of exaspertion left Aang's lips. "The Gaang. I'm sure it is." Aang spat as he stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind him.

Isle Ceren

The sun peaked over the horizon, drenching the waterbender in a wash of pinks and oranges. Her hair fell around her face in moist tendrils as she shifted on the sand. Katara's blue eyes watched the waves lap against the shore.

She brought her knees to her chest as she let out a cry of anger and frustration. Had she acted to carelessly, without thought? Her mind raged with thoughts of guilt.

Katara moved one had to rest against her chest, slowly moved her fingers to caress her bare neck. Heavy tears spilled down her cheeks as she held herself.

Silently, she heaved as each wave of emotion crashed over her. She had abandonded him. Left him helpless on the beach without answers.

"I'm sorry..." She sobbed into her knees as she rocked herself on the sand.