9 - The Reunion

It's all coming back to me. While Aunt Pearl and Uncle Fei had been more distraught that Naomi had hacked off her beautiful hair, and my father not mad at all, Grandpa Fei had been livid that we had taken his dagger. His most prized possession, dad had eventually explained. The dagger had been in my family for more generations than I could count, passed down to the next Fei Ogawa in line. It was supposed to have gone to Uncle Fei, but it never did.

General Fei Ogawa the fourth (known to me as Grandpa) had suffered defeat, when a Fire Nation general broke through the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. In his greatest shame he gave the dagger to the victorious general as a sign of respect. He was never the same man after that.

The question that remains is how did Lee end up with it, or more importantly, how did it end up at a flea market for Mushi to find? So many questions are jostling around in my brain, and I've been unable to think of anything else for the past two days whether I've been alone or with Lee or my honorary family. I'm confused and a little unsettled that the dagger has found its way back to me, an Ogawa.

"Ayumi?" Cami asks, catching my attention. The tone of her voice implying this isn't the first time she's called me.

"Hmm?" I poke absentmindedly at my breakfast, suddenly aware that everyone is staring at me.

"I was asking if something was on your mind," Cami smiles, "But that's obvious."

I grimace slightly, "Sorry, I was thinking about a missing family heirloom, my grandpa's knife." I am not sure where the blatant honesty is coming from, even though I'm not giving all the details.

"What happened to it?" Crowe asks, his mouth full of food.

"Obviously it was stolen," Codo pipes up smartly, shooting a look that says duh, at his younger brother. "And don't talk with your mouth full of food, you're going to spit breakfast at Ayumi."

Crowe smiles apologetically at me, "Sorry," he mutters from an equally full mouth of food, while Codo rolls his eyes.

"I'm sure you'll find it someday," Hela interjects distractedly, shaking her head at her sons. "Honestly you two." She flinches then, her hand shooting to her stomach.

We all react at the same time:

"What happened?" Demands Codo.

"Mom? Are you ok?" Asks Cami.

"Is the baby coming?" I nearly shriek.

"What! What!" Yells Crowe.

We are all so exuberant and panicked that she bursts out laughing.

"It's just a kick from my little earthbender," she assures us, patting her swollen belly. "Baby has been a bit feisty these days."

Codo raises his eyebrows as he stares at his mother's stomach, "Feisty and gigantic."

He's not wrong, I've never seen a pregnant woman with such a fast-growing belly.

Hela raises an eyebrow, "Oh so I'm gigantic?" She crosses her arms across her protruding midsection. She's entirely teasing, both Cami and I can tell, but Codo is a bit oblivious.

"Uh no, of course not, you're radiant." He stammers, exchanging a desperate look with Crowe, who shrugs helplessly.

"Do me a favour, son of mine," Hela points at him. "When you're married, and your wife is very pregnant, do not under any circumstances refer to her, directly or indirectly through referring to the unborn child within her, as gigantic."

Codo nods profusely in agreement as I excuse myself then, needing to get to the station for my shift. I need to be on the lookout for my father.

I make it to the station in record time, early in fact. Uni actually looks impressed when she sees me, something that has never happened to me before. She hands me the list of jobs I need to fill today, a fake smile plastered on her face as per usual. I notice a huge chunk of lettuce stuck in her teeth.

"You have something.." I try to say but she stalks off, ignoring me completely. "Ok, lettuce teeth," I mutter. She can waltz around like that for all I care.

As the day goes on, I can't stop searching every face, barely focusing on doing my job. He's got to be here soon, and I am panicking internally. How angry will he be with me? I can't help but wonder as i scan the crowded station. Will he like Lee?

Uni sidles up to me, clapping her hands in my face obnoxiously, "Look alive, Ayumi! You're falling asleep on the job!"

Actually I'm having an existential crisis, I think as I nod, and this is a volunteer position. It strikes me then that it would feel amazing to actually verbalize all my internalized sass towards her, to give her what for. And then get fired from said volunteer position, I remind myself.

"I'm watching you," Uni adds, stalking off. I'm not sure if she intentionally meant to sound extremely creepy or if she's just that way naturally.

"Note to self," I mutter, fixing a winning smile on an approaching refugee. "Don't let creepy Uni down." I have no doubts the woman could mess me up.

I work diligently for the next bit, forcing myself to concentrate at the situation at hand, and not the impending return of my father. I am unaware of the amount of time passing me by. I help a few small families, and an old man with a kind smile who is so abundantly grateful. He reminds me of why I stayed in the lower ring in the first place, to help people.

"You look like you could use a break."

I glance up to see Lee standing in front of me, a small basket in his hands. Somehow it's lunch time, the morning having flown by in an absolute blur. I can smell the tantalizing scent of fried fish drifted through the wicker walls, and it makes my mouth water.

"That smells heavenly," I announce, following him towards a quiet corner of the station. The next train will arrive in a few minutes, but even Uni advocates for lunch breaks. I think it's because she thinks that hungry workers are less efficient workers.

Lee smiles at me, evidently proud of himself. "I knew you'd like it. I thought it would be nice to eat lunch together." He looks genuinely happy.

"We've never done this," I realize, watching in anticipation as he opens the basket.

Lee hands me a plate of fried fish, with rice and veggies on the side. "No we haven't and that's not acceptable."

"No?" I take a small bite of fish, my taste buds ready to sing it's such a glorious flavour.

"It's a must-do date for any relationship," he informs me confidently, popping a chunk of fish in his mouth. "We were slacking."

So we're in a relationship? I think, nervous to say it aloud, especially with the impending arrival of my father. Instead, I change the subject entirely.

"So your dagger, where did you say you got it from?" I ask innocently, still desperately curious and hoping to coax more details from him.

A tiny frown falls across his face. "Mushi found it at a flea market, he thought it was something I'd like." His words sound rehearsed.

"Where was the market?" I blurt out, eliciting another somewhat larger frown.

"Uh, some town far from here, he was just passing through," he says impatiently, nearly masking the fact that he just improvised his answer. Nearly.

Why are you lying to me? I think, studying him as we descend into silence, both concentrating solely on eating our phenomenal lunches. The next train pulls slowly into the station.

"Who made this?" I ask then, having ate every single piece of food on my plate. I am full, and so very satisfied.

"Hela," Lee says automatically, confirming my suspicions. The woman has a gift with food.

I have to remember to thank her, I remind myself, taking a moment to scout out the room for my father. I watch as the train doors open and people begin filing out, not seeing any even remotely familiar faces. I look away for a second, catching sight of Uni, her gaze fixed on the doors. I follow her line of sight back to the train where Kanto has just wheeled my father, the last passenger off the train.

My jaw drops, I'm shocked. For all I've tried to be calm and ready for this moment, I'm still so unprepared. He looks the same, save for his hair being a touch longer and more unruly. He looks tired and in pain, dark circles evident under his jade green eyes even from here.

"What are you looking at?" Lee demands, trying to follow my unwavering stare. His eyes must have lighted on Kanto, because his voice takes on a jealous tone as he asks, "Do you know that guy?"

"That's my father," I say distractedly, watching as Kanto walks over to where Uni stands, saying something I can't understand, leaving my father alone next to the train. He hands her their papers, and I can see Uni's face light up in recognition. She brings out her personable qualities she reserves for upper class individuals, like Hiro Ogawa and his companion. Overly friendliness that I would also categorize as flirtation.

I return my gaze back to my father as he looks up, no doubt wanting to get away from the train, when he spots me.

We lock eyes then, and mine instantly well up with tears, I missed him. He is the embodiment of home, and I wasn't previously aware of how desperately homesick I am.

A familiar smile stretches across his face, no doubt so happy to see me, the action counteracting the dark circles and tired lines. I step forwards, barely registering angry voices, yelling something I can't understand. It catches my father's attention though, he looks for the source as I continue my slow progression towards him.

A moment later the train explodes, and someone tackles me from behind. I watch in slow motion as I fall, seeing white-hot flames engulfing my father, licking hungrily at the crowd as burning debris strikes the innocent people milling about. I can feel the heat, pricking my skin even at this distance.

Screaming fills my ears, mine loudest of all, as I fight against my captor. I need to get to my father, he is burning and screaming such a terrible scream. Like a dying animal.

"Stay back!" Lee demands, letting me go and running at my father. He rips off his shirt, desperately trying to smother the merciless flames. Kanto arrives at his side a moment later to help, his face bloodied from where a stray chunk of train debris has hit him.

I kneel on the floor where Lee left me, paralyzed. I'm numb, absolutely numb to everything that is going on. They get the flames out, finally, but I can see the damage is done. The stench of burnt skin fills my nostrils, my father's burnt skin. There's blood everywhere, I can hardly recognize him. He is a mess of bright red blood and charred black skin.

The next events are a blur, and I regain awareness in my father's infirmary room, not entirely sure how I got there.

"I think she's in shock," Kanto is saying to Lee, both of them staring at me in concern.

"I'm fine," I say softly, my attention fixed on the bandage-wrapped form of my father, so still he could pass as dead. I ignore the pointed glance they exchange, neither believe me.

"They're bringing healers, Ayumi," Kanto informs me. "Some of the best. Everyone was so helpful when they saw this." He is holding up my father's papers.

I nod, stepping over to give him a hug. "I wish I was seeing you under better circumstances, Kanto."

"You and me both, Yu." He pulls back handing me my father's papers. "It looks like you've been in good hands, though." He smiles kindly at Lee, who to my surprise smiles back. Kanto excuses himself to wait for his mother then, leaving Lee and I alone.

"He's an old family friend," I blurt out, feeling the need to explain myself.

Lee shakes his head, "He's a goodp, man." His eyes flicker to where my father sleeps, bandaged with poultices, I remember now. A temporary solution until the healers arrive. Lee is curious about something, I can tell, he is squirming.

"I haven't entirely been honest with you," I say then, speaking lowly, subconsciously worried that my father will hear us. Something tells me he cannot hear anything.

"What do you mean?" Lee asks, not sounding surprised in the slightest.

I hand him my father's papers in answer, panicked of what he'll think of me. An expression akin to panic flickers across his face, gone in a millisecond.

"You're an Ogawa?" He asks, his face unreadable. "As in General Fei Ogawa?"

I nod, "Yes, he was my grandfather." I search his eyes anxiously, trying to determine what he's thinking or how he's feeling. "I'm sorry."

"You're Fei Ogawa's granddaughter," he repeats softly, shaking his head.

"I should have said something, I should have told you the truth," I state, wanting to cry. I can't tell if I'm emotional about the truth coming out or just the fact that my father is laying in the bed next to me, clinging to life. Maybe it's a bit of both.

Lee frowns at me, "What are you doing in the lower ring?" He chuckles without humor, "It doesn't make any sense. If you're an Ogawa you belong in the upper ring."

"I was headed there," I say honestly, fixing my eyes on my father yet again. "He sent me to Ba Sing Se early, before General Zhao ever ravaged our estate, he wanted to make sure I was safe."

"But?" Lee prods, his expression still stony.

"But I got here, and I saw so many people uprooted and helpless, I couldn't just go live in the upper ring and pretend like nothing was happening. So I stayed, and I helped, and I met Nori and Hela and their wonderful family."

"Do they know?"

I shake my head regretfully, "I thought people would be angry that I'm an Ogawa, that they wouldn't understand why I'm here and not in the upper ring, where everyone seems to think I belong." I pause, swallowing hard. "Do you hate me?"

His eyes widen as he turns to look at me in disbelief, "I could never hate you, Ayumi, don't be ridiculous."

"Are you angry?" I ask again, trying to discern what he's feeling. He is visibly unsettled by something.

He takes a slow, deep breath, shaking his head. "You had your reasons, who am I to judge," he says cryptically.

"I'm sorry," I repeat, staring again at my father. "I'm also sorry this is what it took for me to be honest with you."

"I could have lost you," Lee mutters as if to himself, shaking his head.

"I'm fine," I assure him, reaching out to touch his face.

He flinches away unexpectedly, "But you almost weren't, and your dad…"

"He's a fighter," I say confidently, ignoring the feeling of doubt in my gut. "He's an Ogawa, we never give up without a fight." I remember my visions then, feeling a chill run down my spine. This has to be what I was being warned of.

"He shouldn't have to fight," Lee says bitterly. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" I demand. "You didn't blow up the train, it was obviously Fire Nation spies. You saved my father's life."

He shakes his head over and over, not answering me. He looks like he might burst into tears, anxiously running a hand through his short dark hair.

"Lee, you saved him, you're a hero." I reassure him, trying to convince him of his own merit. "You have nothing to apologize for, you probably saved me from brazenly running into a fire without thinking and getting terribly burned."

"You shouldn't be in danger," he says firmly, finally turning his amber eyes to meet my mismatched ones.

I scoff slightly, "Look what's happening, Lee, I'll always be in danger. We're in the middle of a war."

"You won't if I can help it," he states softly, more to himself than to me.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I demand, grabbing his hand with my good hand. "Lee?"

He kisses me softly, suddenly. "I care about you so much, I hope you know that."

"I care about you too," I say, realizing it's true. "Why does it sound like you're saying goodbye?"

"You've made me happier than I've ever been in my life, but me being in your life has brought you nothing but danger: the house fire, that psycho attacking you, the train blowing up…" He speaks tiredly, as if he's debated with himself over this issue for a long time.

"You can't seriously believe that any of that was your fault?" I say in disbelief.

"It's better this way," he states, his expression pained. "You'll see."

"It's not better!" I shriek, becoming so angry I can hardly think. "Don't you dare do this."

He steps back, swallowing hard. "Goodbye, Ayumi Ogawa." He steps out of the room, ignoring my protests.

I'm about to follow when the healer arrives, halting me. As angry as I am at Lee, I need to focus on my family. Mia and Kanto arrive a moment later, Kanto answering the healer's questions as his mother envelopes me in a warm hug.

I remain silent, watching as the healer works, bending water over my father's bandages, not wanting to peel his poultices off. There is a gentle glow emanating from the water, a sign of progress I suppose.

"Where did your friend go?" Kanto asks quietly, coming to stand next to me. There is the slightest emphasis on the word friend, as if he knows full well that Lee is more than a friend. Or was.

I don't take my eyes off my father, waiting for a sign of life. "He left me." I have felt compelled to be honest with Kanto, since we were children.

I can feel his dark green eyes regarding me, and if I looked I know I'd see compassion in them. "Are you alright?" He asks.

"No." I say honestly, ready to cry at any moment. My father still has not stirred. "Who tells someone they love them for the first time, and then leaves them forever?" I blurt out, my eyes burning with withheld tears.

"Did he do that to you?" Kanto asked sharply, protectively. We share an unspoken bond, honorary older brother to younger sister.

I open my mouth to reply but the healer beats me to it. A kind faced woman, with incredibly vibrant blue eyes set in a tan face, she addresses me. "You're his daughter?"

"Yes," I say instantly, rushing to my father's side. She has stopped for now, and although I can't see it, I know that beneath the many bandages his skin is slowly improving.

"It will be slow progress, he has been burned worse than I have ever seen," she tells me honestly. "But he will recover from the burns."

"When will he wake up?" I ask, desperate to have my father back to me. It is awful to see him lying in that bed like a corpse.

She shakes her head, exchanging a weighted glance with Mia and Kanto. "It is impossible to tell, it is up to him."

"He's a fighter," I tell her, trying to reassure myself more than anyone.

The healer clears her throat, "There's something else."

"What?" Kanto, Mia and I all demand in unison.

"I don't entirely know," the woman admits, looking helplessly at each of us in turn. "His chi is being negatively affected somehow, I can sense it. It's as if his chi is counteracting our work."

"That doesn't make any sense," Kanto pipes up, his tone clipped. He is stressed, obviously as worried as I am.

"I know," the woman agrees, "I have never felt anything like it." She turns to me, cocking her head slightly as she asks, "Have you ever noticed anything? Any unusual symptoms?"

I shake my head automatically, I've never known him to be sick, and I tell her so. She excuses herself then, promising to return tomorrow, imploring me to watch over him. The healer, who introduces herself as Kara, instructs me to watch for anything suspicious as she leaves.

"Have you ever noticed anything?" I ask Mia desperately, shocked and in disbelief that anything could be wrong with my father.

She shakes her head softly, biting her lip. "Never."

"What could they be talking about?" I ask, desperate for answers. I'm ready to ask my father what is going on, but that's not exactly an option.

"You need to get some rest, Ayumi," Mia informs me, "Let Kanto stay with him."

I shake my head automatically. "No, I'm not leaving him. You two go, I need you to tell Hela where I am and that I'm ok so they don't worry."

She nods, giving my shoulder a motherly squeeze. Kanto gives me a comforting hug and then they're gone, leaving me alone with my father.

"It's just you and me," I tell him brightly, mentally willing him to wake up. It's our reunion after how long and this is what has happened. I want to talk to him, to tell him all about what I've been up to, and about my visions. I want to tell him about Lee, our relationship, even that he's gone. I want him to comfort me and give me relationship advice. I just want to hear his voice, and I want him to tell me everything is going to be ok.

I don't know if everything is going to be ok. I don't know if anything is going to be ok.