Chapter Four: Wisdom and Tea
Katara wakes up last the next morning. She had trouble falling asleep last night because she couldn't stop thinking about Kaya. Katara goes into the kitchen where Suki had decided to make breakfast for everyone. Katara thanks her and they sit down to eat.
"Kaya's still asleep," Aang says. "I knocked on her door and she didn't answer. I thought it was best to let her rest." Katara nods and they eat breakfast. Once they finish breakfast the adults go outside to sit on the balcony while the boys go to play.
Aang and Katara tell Sokka and Suki all about Kaya. They tell them that they aren't sure about what to do with her and their different opinions.
"I think it'd be wonderful if you took her in!" Suki tells them. "She's such a sweet girl, and she's practically part of the family already."
"I don't see why not," Sokka tells them. "I agree with Suki."
"But it's not just about how she fits in. What about finances? What if we can't take care of her like we should?" Aang points out. "I just don't want to have a responsibility like that, and not be able to fulfill it."
"Aang, you're the Avatar. If anyone can fulfill a responsibility and handle finances, it's you, buddy," Sokka assures him. Katara smiles and looks at Aang. Aang looks down and Katara's smile fades.
"I think I'm going to go check on her," Katara says as she gets up. She goes inside and sighs. She doesn't understand why Aang is being so stubborn. It's becoming very frustrating.
Katara walks down the hall and comes to Kaya's door. She knocks, but gets no reply.
"Kaya?" Katara asks as she knocks on the door again. She starts to get concerned and opens the door slowly.
"Kaya?" she whispers. She notices the bed is empty. Before she panics she remembers what had happened the previous morning. Then she notices Kaya's things are gone too.
"Kaya?!" Katara says louder like it will somehow make Kaya appear in the room where she should be. Katara walks around the room and looks for anything.
She sits on the bed and buries her face in her hands. She lifts her face up and sees a scroll laying on the pillow. She grabs it and runs outside onto the balcony.
"She's gone!" Katara yells when she reaches them. Aang starts to open his mouth. Katara looks at him.
"She's really gone!" she says.
"How do you know?" Aang asks calmly.
"All of her things were gone and I found this on her pillow," Katara explains as she shows them the scroll. Suki gasps.
"What does it say?" she asks.
"I don't know!" Katara groans.
"Well, read it!" Sokka tells her. Katara opens up the scroll and begins to read out loud.
"Dear Avatar Aang, Master Katara, and family, I'm so sorry to leave you this way, but I know I can't stay any longer. I heard what you were saying tonight and I'm ashamed of bringing you so much trouble and being such a burden. I don't want you to do something you don't want to do, and I don't want you to do anything out of pity for me. I hope you never have to deal with a problem like me again.
I just want you to know that I'm very thankful for all you've done for me. I didn't think anyone could be kind to me, but you proved me wrong. You did things for me in a few weeks that my father didn't do for me my whole life. I just want to thank you for that.
I also don't want you to worry. I'll be okay on my own. I've been on my own basically my whole life. I'll take care of myself just fine. Just forget I was ever there, and don't feel bad for me." Tears stream down Katara's cheeks.
"This is awful," Suki says as Sokka puts his arm around her. Katara drops the scroll and starts crying into her hands. Aang tries comforting her, but she pulls away.
"It's your fault!" she cries.
"My fault?" Aang asks in surprise. "How is it my fault?"
"She said she heard us talking and you kept saying you didn't want her!" Katara tells him.
"I never said that. I just-" Katara cuts him off.
"Well, you might as well have!" she shouts. Aang is angry that she is accusing him of this.
"You're the one that kept saying you felt bad for her! Maybe that's why she ran away!" Aang says in his defense. Katara starts to say something back, but Sokka goes to them.
"Enough! I know you're upset, but sitting here blaming people won't do us, or Kaya any good! We need to find someone to help us..." Sokka says. "We need someone to assemble a search, and fast."
"So...someone with authority?" Suki asks. Sokka rubs his chin and nods.
"Who?" Katara asks. Sokka smirks and looks at her.
"Toph," he says.
Meanwhile, in the city, Kaya wakes up. She sits up, stretches, and rubs her neck. Using her bag as a pillow on the hard ground wasn't exactly comfortable.
Kaya gathers her stuff and stands up. Her stomach growls loudly and she puts her hand over it. She hadn't eaten since dinner the night before last.
She goes through her bag, searching for money of any kind. Kaya sighs when she finds none. Her stomach growls again and she grumbles. She was foolish to not think to bring money.
Kaya leaves the alley and walks through the city. There are so many people in the city that Kaya wonders how the leaders can manage all of them. As she walks she runs into people, and Kaya mutters her apoligies.
"Watch it, kid!" one man shouts.
"Sorry, sir," Kaya says as she turns to him. She backs into another person.
"Watch where you're going, Watertribe!" a large woman yells.
"Sorry, ma'am," Kaya apoligizes.
"Are your people too stupid to teach you how to walk straight?" a man taunts. Kaya is shocked at this comment. Her shock quickly turns to anger.
"My people are NOT stupid!" she shouts. "They're just as smart, if not smarter than you!" The people around her stop and the man looks at her.
"I really hope you didn't just call me stupid, Fur Head," the man laughs. Kaya balls her fists. "Fur Head" was an offensive term referring to the traditional watertribe headdresses. This man was insulting her people, and her culture.
"My people are just as advanced as every other nation! You're the stupid one for making fun of a great culture!" Kaya shouts. A few men look at her. The man smiles cruely.
"Do you know who you're talking to, Fur Head?" the man asks.
"A narrow-minded racist," Kaya answers firmly. The people around them mumble in shock. The man looks furious. Kaya's eyes widen and she runs off. The man and a few of his followers chase after her.
Kaya runs through the streets, dodging people and other objects, while the men taunt her from behind. She runs for a while until she reaches the park. When she thinks she's lost them, she stops under a tree to catch her breath.
Suddenly, she is grabbed from behind. One man holds her arms behind her back while she struggles to get free.
"Where are ya goin', Watertibe?" he taunts.
"What now, Fur Head?" another laughs. The men push her around.
"What are ya gonna do, Water Girl? Huh?" they ask her jokingly. Kaya tries defending herself, but without water, she is powerless. She calls out for help.
"Leave her alone!" someone says. The men stop and turn. An old man stands before them. The men laugh.
"Just be on your way, old man," one tells him.
"Young man, I think it's best you listen to me. Let the girl go," the old man tells him. The men laugh.
"Let her go!" the man urges. The man who first insulted Kaya firebends at the old man, which makes Kaya scream. The old man blocks it and bends back at him. The man grunts and they engage in a fight.
Kaya watches in fear as the men exchange flaming attacks. She notices that the old man is way better than the young man. The old man knocks the young man into a tree.
The young man gets up and runs off. The other men release Kaya and follow him. Kaya looks at the old man who is shaking his head.
"Thank you," Kaya says. The man looks at her and smiles.
"My pleasure," he tells her. Kaya sits at the base of the tree.
"I don't understand why he said that about my people..." she confesses.
"Sadly, there are many provincial thinkers in this world. I admire you for standing up for your people," the man says. Kaya looks down.
"Thanks," she says. The man walks over to her.
"You seem lost," he observes. Kaya looks up at him.
"No. I know where I am. I'm at the park." The man laughs.
"I meant you don't know where you should go," he says. Kaya looks down.
"My nephew was the same way. He thought he knew who he was and where he had to go, but he was wrong. It took him a while, but when he found his destiny he became the beautiful person he was meant to be," the man tells her.
"Who's your nephew?" Kaya asks. The man smiles.
"Fire Lord Zuko," he answers. Kaya's eyes widen. She stands and bows to the man.
"Oh! I'm sorry for not being respectful, sir, but what do you call the Fire Lord's uncle?" she asks. The man laughs.
"Just call me Iroh," he says.
Meanwhile, at Air Temple Island, the others sit in the main room and discuss Kaya's dissapearance with the police. Toph has her feet propped up on the table while two of her officers stand, ready to obey any of her commands.
"So, tell me, do you have ANY clue of where she might have gone?" Toph asks. Katara shakes her head.
"No...she could be anywhere," Katara says as she puts her face in her hands. Toph sighs.
"Do you think you can find her?" Aang asks.
"I know we can find her. It'll take time, but it will take as little time as possible. No girl is getting hurt in this city as long as I have anything to do with it!" Toph says. Katara sniffs and wipes her eyes.
"What are you crying for?" Toph asks.
"I just feel awful! I could've stopped her if I had just-" A sob escapes Katara and she hangs her head. Toph lifts Katara's face, somewhat forcefully, to look at her.
"Get yourself together, Sugarqueen! I know you're upset about Kaya, but sitting here crying about it won't help her!" Toph almost shouts. Katara nods.
"You're right," Katara says.
"I know! I'm always right! Now, tell my officers everything about Kaya that could help us identify her. The more detailed the better," Toph instructs.
They all go on to tell the officers about Kaya. After a few minutes the officer has written a description. He shows it to the other officer who approves. Toph turns to them.
"Take that to headqaurters and get a search started. You don't rest until this girl is found!" Toph orders. The officers bow.
"Yes, Chief Beifong!" the officers say as they leave. Toph stays at Air Temple Island so she can keep Aang and the others updated on the search.
Kaya and Iroh sit at a table in Iroh's small apartment. Kaya had agreed to come over for tea. Going home with an old man she had just met seemed to go against all safety rules she knew of, but Iroh seemed like a nice man.
"So, I assume you just moved here?" Kaya asks as she notices all the boxes. Iroh nods.
"I moved here from Ba Sing Se. I have a tea shop there...the best in the city. I decided to start another one here. That and I wanted to visit some friends," Iroh tells her. Kaya nods.
The tea kettle begins to whistle. Iroh gets up and pours two steaming cups of tea. He sets one down in front of Kaya.
"Jasmine," he tells her.
"Thank you," Kaya says as she takes the cup in her hands. She sips it and the tea's warmth spreads through her body. It calms her.
"So, which Watertribe are you from?" Iroh asks.
"The Southern Watertribe," Kaya answers. Iroh nods.
"Very nice. Some of my greatest friends lived there. Some still do," he tells her. Kaya smiles.
"It's a nice place to live," she says. Iroh nods in agreement.
"Why did your family move to the city?" Iroh asks. Kaya looks down into her cup of tea. She thinks of a lie while Iroh goes to answer a knock at the door. He returns soon and sits down.
"I-" Kaya starts to say as she looks up at Iroh. She stops when she sees his face. He looks so intent. He seems like he actually cares about what she's about to say. It was something Kaya isn't used to.
Guilt bears down on Kaya. She has already lied so much, and look what it had gotten her. She can't lie. Not any more.
"I ran away..." Kaya confesses. "Twice." Kaya expects Iroh to be surprised. She expects him to send her away, or at least scold her. Instead, he nods in understanding. Kaya looks back down into her tea.
"My father wasn't much of a father, and my mother was killed in a fire when I was six. I had no one really. There wasn't a point in staying any longer," she sighs.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Iroh says. Kaya bites her lip.
"After I ran away I got caught in a storm and I ended up on Kyoshi. The Avatar and his family took me in. I came here with them. I didn't tell them the truth for a while because I was scared they wouldn't accept me...just like everyone else. I told them the truth just yesterday. They had no idea what to do with me. I was causing so much trouble and..." Kaya pauses. "And I didn't belong there anyways."
"Life happens wherever you are, wether you make it or not," Iroh says. Kaya looks at him in confusion.
"You decide where you go in life. Whenever you change your path, your destiny changes as well," Iroh explains.
"So, what you're saying is that by choosing to run away...my future is going to be just as messed up and confusing as my life is now?" Kaya asks. Iroh shakes his head.
"No. Nothing is set in stone. What I am telling you is that you have the power over your own destiny. You make the decisions that determine who you are and what your purpose is. You just have to decide," Iroh tells her. Kaya thinks about this.
"But...there's nowhere for me to go. I have nothing...I have no one I can go to," Kaya confesses.
"What about the Avatar and his family?" Iroh asks. Kaya looks down.
"No...I can never go back."
"Why not? Did they tell you to leave? Did they want you gone?" he asks. Kaya looks at him.
"Well, no. They-"
"Then why did you leave? What made you make that choice? What compelled you to think that leaving behind all of their kindness and care would be the best thing to do? What did you have in mind for yourself?" Iroh asks. Kaya shakes her head.
"Nothing...I never thought about it. I just knew that I had to leave," she tells him.
"Then ask yourself one thing, Kaya...Who are you? And what do you want?" Kaya thinks about what he has said. Iroh waits and listens paitiently.
"I guess I want a place I can call 'home'. I want people who care about me...no matter what I've done. I want to become a waterbending master," Kaya thinks for a moment. "I just want a family." Iroh nods.
"It sounds to me like you had all of those things...but you left them all behind." Kaya hadn't thought of this.
"But what if you're wrong? What if they didn't care about me at all? They probably don't even care that I'm gone..."
"They do. More than you know," Iroh says. Kaya looks at him, confused. "The man at the door was a police officer. He asked if I had seen you. They've been searching for you," Iroh tells her.
It takes Kaya a moment to take this in. They were looking for her. She never thought that they'd care. She thought they'd be happy she was gone.
"A search?" she asks. Iroh nods. Kaya looks out the window. "What should I do?"
"What do you think you should do?" Iroh asks. Kaya looks down.
"I know the right thing to do is to go back, but...I'm afraid. What if I mess up? What if they don't want me? I don't think I can live up to what I'd need to do..."
"There is nothing wrong with letting those who love you, help you. Just like I'm doing now. I'm not saying I love you, I just met you, but I'm sure that if you go back you will be welcome, just like you were before." Kaya thinks about this for a while. She sighs.
"I'll go," she says. Iroh smiles.
"And I'll go with you. It's been a while since I've seen my friends," he says. They finish their tea and head out into the city towards Air Temple Island.
Kaya and Iroh walk to the harbor. When they reach it Kaya stops and looks at the island. Iroh stops and stands next to her.
"I can't..." Kaya says. Iroh sighs.
"Of course you can't, not with an attitude like that," he says.
"But it would be different. I'm not part of their family...I never will be."
"Family isn't limited to only blood...family are those who care about you. You just have to let them show you their love and compassion, and you must show them the same." Kaya looks down and is silent. Tears fill her eyes.
"I don't think I'm capable of that...I'm sorry," she says in almost a whisper. Iroh nods. He starts to walk towards the ferry. Before he gets on board he turns.
"This is your choice, and you always have a chance to make it right. I just hope that you do..." he tells her. The ferry driver summons all the passengers on onboard and Iroh gets on. Kaya watches as the boat makes its way to the island. When it reaches the dock she turns and walks through the crowd...
Meanwhile on Air Temple Island the others sit in anxious silence. No one has hardly said a word. When they hear a knock on the door everyone perks up. Toph shakes her head.
"Don't get your hopes up too high," she says as she goes to get the door. The others wait as they hear footsteps coming towards them. To their surprise and slight dissapointment, Iroh enters the room.
"Hello, everyone," he says. Everyone greets him separately. Iroh looks at Tenzin and Bumi and smiles.
"My, the little ones have grown!" he observes. The others nod. Iroh frowns. "You seem distressed," he points out.
"We are...You see, this girl who was traveling with us left without a trace. We don't know where she is or even if she's okay. Toph ordered a search, but we haven't had any news," Aang informs him. Iroh nods.
"She's fine," he tells them. Katara perks up.
"What? You've seen her? Where is she?" she asks.
"I have. I don't know where she is now. She was going to come see you with me, but changed her mind," he tells them.
"Why?" Katara asks. She seems almost hurt. Iroh shrugs. Katara seems angry now.
"How could she just leave us like this?! Doesn't she know how worried we are about her?" she asks as she looks at Iroh. Iroh doesn't answer. Katara puts her forehead on her hands.
"I just want her to come home..." she says miserably. Iroh nods.
They sit for a while and talk, waiting for any word on Kaya. Soon, Katara gets up and makes dinner. They sit at the table with the food in front of them, but no one really eats.
Kaya walks through town once again. She runs into people accidentally, but doesn't apoligize this time. She is too dejected to even answer those who are complaining.
Her stomach growls and she ignores it. She doesn't see the point in acknowledging it if she can't buy food for herself. She wanders around the streets and darkness starts to settle in the sky.
As time goes on, the streets start to get emptier and emptier. Soon, she is the only one walking. Her footsteps echo on the pavement. In all of her life, surprisingly, she had never felt so alone. Suddenly, she hears someone behind her.
"Where are ya goin', Watertribe?" a man asks. Kaya stops and cringes at the voice. She turns and sees the man who insulted her earlier. Fear strikes her. The man comes towards her.
"You got lucky earlier...but that old man isn't here to save you now," the man says. He looks at her with an expression Kaya had seen so many times before on Sitka. She knew what was coming.
Kaya starts to back away, but the man keeps closing in. More of the man's followers come. Kaya turns and starts to run, but she runs right into another man. He grabs her arms.
"Not so fast, Water Girl!" the man sneers. Kaya struggles against his hold as the other men come. Kaya lets out a shriek as she breaks her hand free and slaps the man across the face with all her strength. The man grunts and lets go. Kaya takes her chance and runs for it.
Kaya runs as fast as her legs can carry her through the streets. The men chase after her and aren't very far behind. Kaya does her best to navigate the unfamiliar streets. She turns and finds herself at a dead end.
"Nowhere to run now, Fur Head," the man says cruelly. Kaya searches frantically for an escape route, but there is none. She is trapped.
"Help!" Kaya screams. The men shush her.
"You wanna wake up the entire neighborhood, Fur Head?" a man asks. The others laugh. Kaya tries making another run for it, but the men grab her. Kaya starts to scream, but one man clamps his hand over her mouth. Kaya bites him and he pulls back.
"Let's hope you don't get infected, Lee!" the men joke. Kaya starts crying. These men were awful. She didn't understand how anyone could hate her people so much.
The men push her around, call her awful things, and make fun of her people. Kaya tries fighting back, but she is hopelessly outmatched. If only she had water...
Just when Kaya thinks she can't take anymore they hear sirens in the distance. The men stop and look at eachother. They push Kaya to the ground and run off. Kaya lays there and cries as the sounds of sirens grow closer.
A few people in uniform run into the alley. Kaya lifts her head to look at them. A man kneels next to her.
"Are you okay?" he asks. Kaya nods slowly.
"What's your name?" a tall woman asks.
"K-Kaya," Kaya says shakily. The officers look at eachother. The man brings the radio to his mouth.
"We've found her," he says. The wait a few seconds and a static answer comes from the radio.
"Bring her to-" Kaya can't make the rest out due to static.
"Yes, sir," the officer utters. He helps Kaya up onto her feet and leads her to a car, something that was still rare even in the city. They get in and ride in silence.
"Where are you taking me?" Kaya asks.
"We're taking you where you belong," an officer tells her. Kaya has no idea where this is. She decides she doesn't want to know.
They drive for a while until they reach the harbor. An officer opens the door for Kaya and her heart beats faster when she realizes where she's going.
"Are you taking me to the island?" Kaya asks. The officers look at her and nod.
"Isn't that where you want to go?" one asks. Kaya thinks about this. She could either turn and run again, or she could go to the island and face her problems. She thinks about what Iroh told her earlier.
"Yes...I guess it is," she says softly. The officers nod and they get on the ferry. The ferry makes its way towards Air Temple Island and Kaya watches from the deck as it comes closer.
They arrive at the dock and the officers escort Kaya off the ferry and towards the house. While they walk the officers try making awkward small talk, but Kaya ignores them. Before they even get to the porch a woman opens the door. The officers stop and bow.
"Cheif Beifong," they say. Kaya looks at them and bows herself. The woman ushers Kaya inside. Kaya steps in and takes a deep breath.
"They were worried," the woman says. Kaya looks down as they walk. "Stay here," the woman orders. Kaya stands outside the room that the others are apparently in. The woman says something and there is a quick shuffling of feet. Katara bursts out of the room.
"Kaya!" she cries. Katara runs to Kaya and hugs her. Katara pulls back.
"We were worried sick!" Katara says. "Why did you do this to us?! Do you know how upset we were?! Don't ever do this to us again, understand?!" Katara almost shouts as she looks at Kaya. Kaya bursts into tears.
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to-" Katara cuts her off and hugs her again.
"No, I'm sorry for yelling at you. I was just so worried that you wouldn't come back...I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt..." Katara tells her. Kaya looks over Katara's shoulder and sees Iroh. He smiles and nods. Kaya sniffs.
"I'm tired..." Kaya says as she pulls back. Katara pushes the hair out of Kaya's face and nods. She almost reluctantly lets go of Kaya and walks her back to the guest room. Kaya climbs in bed.
"Goodnight," she says as she closes her eyes.
"Goodnight, Kaya," Katara whispers. She bends down and kisses Kaya on the forehead. This is something Kaya didn't expect. Katara turns out the lights and Kaya watches as she leaves the room. A few minutes pass and Kaya falls asleep.
"I don't know if it's legal," Toph says.
"Why wouldn't it be? It's not like she has anywhere else to go!" Katara says. Toph shakes her head.
"Actually, she does. Her father-"
"No! You can't send her back to him! Not as long as I have any say in it!" Katara says sternly. Toph raises her hands in surrender.
"Hey, I'm just as against sending her back as you are, but technically her father has...rights to her."
"Rights? If it were up to him and his "rights" Kaya would be miserable!" Katara says too loudly. Aang puts his hand on her shoulder. Katara crosses her arms and looks down.
"You're right," Toph says. "I'll need to work on getting his approval. Adoption can't be made official without the birth-parents, and the laws okay. It may take awhile. Plus, who knows? He may want Kaya back."
"But you won't let him have her. Will you?" Suki asks.
"No," Katara states. Toph pops her knuckles.
"Yes, I will," she says. Everyone looks at her in shock.
"What?" Aang asks in surprise. Katara is outraged.
"How could you do that?! That man was awful and neglectful! You can't just send her back!" Katara says angrily. Toph stands and looks straight at Katara.
"You didn't let me finish, Katara. I'd send her home because I HAVE to. Even though Kaya told you those stories we don't have any evidence to prove that they're true. If I had to send her back to her father I'd send scouts to make sure it's a fit home for her. If it's not, then she can come back and we'll figure things out from there," Toph explains. Katara huffs.
"I don't see why you have to contact her father. He didn't want her anyways," Katara says. "It's just extra trouble." Toph looks extremely frustrated. She clenches her fists.
"Katara, there's one crucial thing you're overlooking! The law! If you take her in without her father's blessing I'd have to arrest you! Do you want that to happen? I certainly don't!" Toph tells her firmly. "Now, if you really want Kaya as your daughter you're gonna have to wait for things to take place! I mean, did you really think that you'd just take her in and everything would be fine and dandy?" Toph asks. Katara sighs and sits.
"You're right," Katara admits. "I'm sorry."
"I'm going to go back to headqaurters and I'm going to send a message to Kaya's father. I'll let you know what he says," Toph says as she starts to leave.
"And what about Kaya?" Aang asks. Toph stops in the doorway.
"She'll stay here for now. I'll check up on her from time to time. As of right now, since her father isn't here, we're technically responsible for her," Toph says, referring to herself and her officers. "Goodnight."
"I should get going too," Iroh says through a yawn. "A man needs his rest." Iroh follows Toph outside. The others head to bed. Aang and Katara lay in bed.
"Aang?" Katara asks in the darkness.
"Hmm?" Aang answers sleepily. Katara sighs.
"What if Kaya's father does want her back?" she asks. Aang yawns.
"I don't know. I doubt he will, at least from what Kaya told us." Aang falls asleep and Katara lays awake thinking. She realizes that Aang is right. The odds of Kaya's father wanting her back are so low, it's almost impossible.
Katara falls asleep in a good mood. She knows that from now on, things will work out just fine...