HIS EYES chapter 8

Disclaimer: I don't own the White Lotus, Appa, the portable game of 'Connect Four', filet mignon, lazy-boi chairs (which are really comfortable) or the characters of Avatar.


"I need to speak with an Iroh and Zuko Sozin, please," the officer from the desk announced. Zuko and Iroh followed her, gravely, into the back room. Katara began rocking and humming to Aang again while the rest just sat quietly.

"What are we going to do now?" Sokka asked. Everyone turned to Hakoda.

"Whatever the police tell us to do, I guess." Hakoda sighed.

"Dad, we can't go anywhere with Ozai still out there!" Katara argued.

"You'll be fine," Gyotso assured, "the 'White Lotus' will track Ozai down."

"How can you do that?" Suki asked.

"How do you think we found Aang?" Gyotso joked trying to lighten the mood. It helped but very little. Sokka and Suki started playing a portable game of 'Connect Four' while Hakoda and Gyotso went outside to talk. Katara watched her dad bend down to pet the big dog, whose name she learned was Appa.

"I'm hungry," Aang said into the blanket.

"I know," Katara said turning from the window.

"Ya, I'm hungry too," Sokka complained as Suki won the game again.

"Aw, you're just jealous because I'm winning," Suki said restarting the game. They heard footsteps and Zuko and Iroh and the officer walked back into the room. Hakoda and Gyotso came in at the same time.

The officer spoke, "It should be safe you folks to go back to your own homes now although I would stay near a phone in case something does happen. Call 9-1-1 if you need anything" she said and left them alone.

"You are all invited to my house," Iroh announced, "maybe we can find something to cook up and eat."

"Thank-you for the offer, Iroh, but Suki and I have to get back home," Suki's mother said and led her out to the door. Suki gave Sokka one last hug before turning and following her mother.

"I'll call you tomorrow, Sokka," she called. Sokka half-heartedly waved as he saw their car leave the parking lot.

"We'll be there Iroh," Hakoda said.

"Do you think we could find steaks? I am in the mood for a juicy, BBQ cooked, medium rare steak!" Sokka said drooling. Hakoda laughed and Katara rolled her eyes. She stood up with Aang and unwrapped him from the blanket. Throwing the blanket on the chair she was sitting on, Katara carried Aang out the door following her friends.


"What a day!" Sokka said climbing into the driver's seat.

"I agree," Katara said making sure Aang was buckled in safely. Hakoda and Gyotso had left in Hakoda's car while Zuko and Iroh had left in Iroh's car. Now Sokka, Katara and Aang were alone in the parking lot getting ready to leave and go to Iroh's house for supper. "Sokka could you wait a second, I'm just going to call Aunt Wu for a second and tell her why Aang's not back," Katara explained and left to make the call. Aang watched her talk from the window.

"You okay, kid?" Sokka asked.

"Ya, I'm just hungry," Aang said.

"You're still shaking. Are you cold?"

"Maybe just a little," Aang said gripping the car door.

"There's a blanket in the trunk. Do you want me to get it for you?" Sokka asked opening the door.

"Yes, please," Aang whispered. Sokka got the blanket from the trunk while Katara finished her phone call.

"I think we should get going," she said climbing in the back with Aang. "Aang, are you cold?" Katara asked noticing the blanket. Aang nodded and held the blanket around him. Sokka started up the car and drove the way to Iroh's house. "Aunt Wu said we could keep Aang for another night," Katara told her brother. "I'm not sure I want to give him up with Ozai still out there."

"What about Gyotso and the White Lotus. I'm sure they'll take care of him," Sokka said.

"I don't quite trust him yet," Katara whispered and leaned back in her seat. Sokka nodded and turned down Iroh's street. Katara sat in the back arms crossed watching as Aang slowly began rocking himself; he started humming. Katara recognized the tune as the one she sang to him the night he had that nightmare and the one she had been singing all day. She immediately felt the urge to hold him again, but they were already at Iroh's bungalow.

Sokka parked the car and turned around, "Are you coming," he asked.

"Ya, be there in a second," Katara said turning back to Aang. Sokka nodded and exited the car. "Aang, are you okay?" Katara asked the little boy. He shook his head. "Aang, it's okay. Nobody's going to hurt you. I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you, okay?"

Aang looked up into Katara's eyes. They say that your eyes are the windows to your soul; that any emotion you're feeling can be shown through them. If this is true, then Aang saw nothing but love and trust in her eyes.

"Okay," he whispered. Katara held out her arms to him and he greatly accepted, feeling a safe feeling of warmth and love all around him. It was the best feeling he had felt all day. Aang buried his head into Katara's neck and slowly let tears escape his eyes. After being nothing but scared all day long he finally found it safe enough to cry. Katara comforted him the best she could, whispering kind, soothing words in his ear.

"Come on, let's go get something to eat," Katara said after Aang's tears stopped. Aang's stomach growled and they both started laughing. "I'll take that as a 'yes'" Katara said.

She opened the car door and they made their way to the back yard. Sokka and Zuko were lounging in the deck chairs while Hakoda and Iroh were busy cooking filet mignon (In case you don't know that is a very good steak, wrapped in bacon!) and Gyotso was mixing salad. Katara could smell the steak from where she stood. Then she remembered Aang. Quickly, Katara walked to where Hakoda was barbequing.

"Dad, did you-" she started.

"We found something for Aang," Hakoda answered his daughter's question.

"Thanks Dad," Katara said wrapping one arm around him and holding Aang with the other. Hakoda returned the hug before turning back to the grill to flip the meat. Katara's other arm returned to it's place around Aang. She approached the outdoor lazy-boy chair and sat down, rearranging Aang into a comfortable position.

Sokka saw her sit down, "Oh, sure," he commented, "Just because you got a kid means you can sit in the comfy chair."

"Hey, I got here after you did, you could have taken the chair," Katara shot back.

"Actually, Uncle told us to save the chair for you," Zuko said deadpan. Katara stuck her tongue out at Sokka and her brother mirrored the action.

"Dinner!" Hakoda yelled about 10 minutes later.

Sokka and Zuko got up and raced to the meat while Katara walked slowly for Aang's sake. Hakoda met her half way. He smiled holding out two plates. One overflowing with salad and rice and the other filled with salads and meat. Katara guessed the latter was her's. She smiled gratefully as she returned to her seat. Aang lifted his head from Katara's shoulder when the food was placed before him. His eyes lit up and he began inhaling the salad and rice; Katara was afraid he might choke! Following the 6 year old's example everyone began chowing down on the foods they had on their plate. Katara took this moment to watch the people around her. Her friends; her loved ones. Everything was perfect.


A man's silhouette could be seen through the front window of the house. All the lights were off and he suspected no one was home until he heard laughter coming from the backyard. He peered out the window eying the 15 year old girl and little boy sitting on her lap. He smirked. Everything was perfect.


Ohh, just writing this scared the crap out of me! 2 chapters left!