Beneath the Oasis

Chapter 9

Taiyo-chan

Disclaimer. I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything associated with it.

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"You want Avatar Kuruk to come with you? Koh repeated.

Aang calmly nodded his head. "Avatar Kuruk could be very helpful in finding Toph with me. It makes sense for him out of all my incarnations to come with me."

"Makes sense...well, Avatar, it's possible to find her on-" He closed his face in and he returned with Ummi's face. Eyes narrowed, Koh-Ummi's lips pulled back and released a chuckle. "Oh...oh, I believe I get it. However, you are not obliged to confirm my theory." Aang only stared at him. Koh switched back to his original face. "All right, I accept your condition. It should be...interesting." He waved the Airbender off. "Go; take a break. I'm sure remaining impassive this long has been tiring." He snickered. "I look forward to seeing him again; it's been too long."

Aang bowed to him. "Thank you for accepting my condition." He turned around and headed for the exit.

"Not a problem at all, Avatar." When Aang left his sight, he slithered back into the darkness. You will reveal the real motive to bringing Avatar Kuruk once you return. And if my theory is right, I am afraid you are making a big mistake."

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Aang turned around the corner of Koh's lair and slid against the wall. He sighed in relief and exercised his face. "Spirits...."

Toph's face entered his mind. He drew his legs to his chest and hugged them. "....I wonder if she's okay...." It was scary...seeing her face with his voice....

He sighed again. "Well, the sooner the better. I have to get her out of here and-" He stopped himself. Too close; he could probably hear me. He rose to his feet and headed into the woods. As soon as the trees clouded his vision of Koh's lair, he sat in a meditative stance. "Avatar Kuruk, I'd like to talk to you; it's about a friend of mine."

He felt a part of him separate from his body. He opened his eyes and Avatar Kuruk stood there before him, face completely sullen and calm. Aang bowed to him as Kuruk took a seat.

"What's wrong with your friend?" Kuruk asked.

"Koh the Face Stealer took her face." He could see Kuruk tensing up at hearing the spirit centipede's name. "He agreed on spirit's honor that he'll return her face if I find her."

Kuruk frowned. "I've searched for my wife for hundreds of years and still can't find her-"

"Koh gave me a hint," Aang interrupted.

"Sounds like he's going easy on you," Kuruk said, eyebrows raised. He scratched his head. "If he gave you a hint, what do you need me for?"

"Well...it's not that I need you," Aang admitted. "But I want you there with me."

"Why's that, Aang?"

"Your friend's soul had returned home."

Aang dug his fist into his lap. "He told me that my friend Toph's soul had returned home. Then he showed me your wife's face."

Kuruk's eyes augmented. "So that means-"

Aang nodded. "Your wife reincarnated into my friend." Aang watched as his incarnation took the news in. Had it been in a casual circumstance, it would have been humorous. He continued, "And that's why I want you to come with me to Koh's cavern. I have a feeling that if you come with me and we find Toph, we'll find your wife."

Kuruk studied Aang before humming, "I see." He stood up; Aang did the same. "Thank you for thinking about my wife and me." He placed a hand on Aang's shoulder and glared in the direction where Koh's cavern stood. "Let's go; I look forward to paying him a visit." Aang nodded in reply and they were off.

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Katara looked back at Aang's glowing body one more time before closing the Spirit Oasis door behind her. She closed her eyes in fatigue. She opened them when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder; it was Suki. "Hey."

"Hey."

"How is he doing?" Suki inquired.

"He doesn't seem to be having any problems," Katara answered. Her face fell. "But, still, I'm worried..."

"Aang will find her," Suki replied. "From all the stories you and Sokka told me, the Spirit world shouldn't be a problem for him."

"That's what my mind is telling me," Katara partially agreed, "but my guts tell me something's going to happen."

Suki frowned. "Why is that?"

Without looking, Katara pointed up at the sky; Suki looked up. The sky was cloudy...and eerily grey. "That's funny...it doesn't rain in the North Pole." Suki paused. "Does it?"

Katara shook her head. "It shouldn't; it's way too cold." She felt a drop land on her forehead. She blinked. Suki did as well. "I thought I just felt a rain drop..."

"You're not the only one," Katara agreed. They looked up; the rain started getting heavier. "I'm going back into the Spirit Oasis!"

She opened the door with Suki following foot. It was raining in the Spirit Oasis as well, except it was dry around Aang and the lake for the Koi fish. "....What's going on....?"

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"It's a bad omen," Chief Arnook said solemnly.

"What do you mean by that?" Sokka inquired.

"Rain in the North Pole....something bad is going to happen. What will is the mystery."

Sokka swallowed and said to himself, "No...not to Aang and Toph." He addressed the next thing he said to the chief, "Aang will make it back with Toph. They're going to be okay."

"Hmm," Chief Arnook said, unconvinced. He sighed with a half-hearted, "I hope you're right...."

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The Avatar duo took deep breaths before putting on their emotionless masks. They entered the cavern and stopped midway.

"Koh," Aang called out. "I'm back with Avatar Kuruk; we're heading in now unless you want to put a word in.

"You know I do, Avatar Aang," his voice echoed from the darkness. He slithered into the light and grinned upon seeing Kuruk's face. "Ah, yes; it's been a long time, Avatar Kuruk. It's nice to see you again."

"The feeling is mutual," Avatar Kuruk replied, clutching his hand into a fist.

"Allow me to put my theory to the test," Koh said. "You, Avatar Aang, brought Avatar Kuruk in hopes of finding his wife as well? Am I correct?"

"...Yes..."

Koh only smiled. "Well, I have souvenirs for you two." He nudged his head to the side. To their left lied eight lighting sticks. Aang bowed to Koh while Kuruk only stared at him. "Thank you for the gifts."

"Yes, yes," Koh said, eyes focused on Kuruk. "Now go; I'll wait here patiently for your return." He moved to the side so they could pass by. Aang gathered the sticks and nodded to Kuruk to follow. Kuruk approached him and lit one of the sticks. They left Koh without saying any extra words, the light disappearing from Koh's view as they traveled further.

Koh scoffed to himself. Even after what happened to his wife, he is still the same. For that, I will make sure you pay again. A small smile appeared on his lips. And Avatar Aang, I am afraid you went along with your mistake. You see...you were not specific enough in your condition. When-if you come back, that will come back and bite you. Be prepared for the heartache, Avatar. I've already been soft enough. He looked behind him. Yes.....too soft indeed.

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Something doesn't feel right, Kuruk thought. He was too vague in his speech. He didn't address us separately nor did he mention what he'll do if I bring Ummi back. He gazed at Aang who looked at the walls, decorated with scratches, in uncharacteristic awe. But...that's not his problem, so I won't mention it to him. He should worry about his friend and his friend only. I can take care of Ummi and my situation when the time comes......

His thoughts came to a stop when Aang stopped in his tracks. He didn't even have to ask why; there were three tunnels to choose from. This cavern....was a labyrinth.

"This could be challenging," Kuruk muttered.

Aang stared in disbelief. "...Yeah..."

Author's Note. Oh look, I DID get another one in before Thanksgiving. So much for doing two chapters though. There was less character development in this one than I thought so I might post chapter ten and eleven together instead. Since I know for a fact I won't get a third one in before Thursday, Happy Early Thanksgiving! Stuff yourself with good food!