Chapter 9 – Haru
The room was silent for a moment before Daniel spoke up, "We are sorry for your loss and for bringing up such…sensitive matters. We will be on our way."
"Wait! This isn't right! Earthbending is a part of who you are, Haru. It isn't fair that the right to use it is taken from you!" Katara said passionately, trying to keep her rising tone as quiet as possible.
"Earthbending is forbidden! As you know now, it only brings trouble." Haru's mother retorted, her voice quivering slightly.
"How long has the Fire Nation been here? What do they want?" Aang asked, still overwhelmed by all this.
"Five years. Fire Lord Ozai uses the coal from the mines to fuel his ships." Haru's mother responded.
Katara shook her head angrily, "I can't believe this, even the town is against his abilities?"
Haru's mother glared, "You don't understand." She hissed.
"She's right, Katara, you don't. This town lost many friends and family due to their display of their gift. This poor woman has lost her husband and her son is all she has left. I'm sorry Katara, but survival comes first." Daniel reasoned.
Katara clenched her fist, but said nothing more.
"Haru, show our guests to our barn. They came with good intentions, the least we can do is offer them a warm place to sleep tonight." Haru's mother said.
"Very well, follow me." Haru led the group to the outskirts of the town and opened the door to a large barn.
"This is where you can sleep tonight, but you should probably leave in the morning." Haru said.
"Thanks! I'll make sure Appa doesn't eat all of your hay." Aang said, causing the sky bison to look over at him at the mention of his name with mouth full of hay.
"Hey, can we talk a bit?" Katara asked as Haru went to leave.
"Uhh sure. I know a good place we can walk to." He said, curious.
The pair walked down the road and Katara began the conversation.
"I'm sorry about what I said earlier."
"It's okay…it's funny, the way you were talking back in the store, reminded me so much of my father."
"Oh…thanks." Katara replied with a smile.
Haru continued, "My father was very courageous; when the Fire Nation invaded, he and the other Earthbenders were outnumbered ten to one, but they fought back anyway."
"He sounds like a great man."
The pathway ended at a cliff ledge that looked over a great, green valley. Haru got down on one knee and looked out over the environment, the land bathed in the honey color of sunset.
"After the attack, they rounded up every single Earthbender and took them away…we haven't heard from my father since."
"So that's why you practice your bending secretly."
"Yes, but the thing is, the only way I feel close to my father is when I practice my bending." Haru wiped a tear away from his cheek, "…he taught me everything I know."
Katara stared at him for a bit then sat down next to him.
"See this necklace? My mother gave it to me." Katara said, tenderly touching the piece of jewelry.
"It's beautiful." Haru observed.
"I lost my mother in a Fire Nation raid, this is all I have left of her." Katara said quietly, turning away from him for a moment.
Haru looked back out over the valley, "It's never enough is it?"
Katara shut her eyes tight to hold back her tears, "No…it isn't."
The two made their way back to the town, when suddenly a huge crash a cloud of dust erupted from a hillside along the road.
"The mine!" Haru shouted.
The two ran to the mine entrance and found an old man stuck under the collapsed dirt, screaming for help. Haru dug his back into the dirt, attempting to hold back any further debris while Katara did her best to pull the man free.
"I can't get him loose, we need to get help!" Katara yelled over the rumbling of the mine.
"There's no time, pull harder!" Haru replied.
Katara looked up at him, "Haru, there's a way you can help."
Haru shook his head, his face tensing up more and more under the pressure of the dirt, "I…can't." He managed to say.
"Please, there's no one around to see you." Katara pleaded.
Haru thought quickly and finally got away from the mine entrance. He turned and set himself into an Earthbending stance. The dirt and rocks before Katara's eyes froze in midair, and with a great push from Haru, the entire blockage was sent hurdling down the mine.
"Haru you did it!" Katara exclaimed excitedly.
He smiled and sighed as the two took the little old man back to the town.
Later that night, Katara was still telling the story to her friends.
"It was so brave of Haru to use his Earthbending to save the poor old man." She said happily.
"You must've really inspired him." Aang said from the top of Appa.
Sokka turned over in his makeshift bed, "Story time is over. We have to wake up early." He snapped.
"Oh come on Sokka, can't we sleep in for once?" Katara asked, rolling her eyes.
"Absolutely not. This town is crawling with Fire Nation troops, if they find Aang, we'll be eating fire balls for breakfast."
"Better than eating some foraged nuts." Katara retorted, causing a giggle from Aang.
"Good night." Sokka growled and rolled back over in his bed.
"Wait, where's Daniel?" Katara asked, looking around.
"He said he had something to look into. I'm sure he'll be back soon." Aang replied, making himself comfortable in Appa's fur.
Katara shrugged and blew out the lantern, with that the barn went dark.
Daniel found a nice place in the trees along the pathway to Haru's home and sat down. He lit a small candle and placed it on the dirt. He hated night-time, without the sun, he felt weak. Ever since he had left Yu Dao, he discovered that the only way he can truly sleep or just feel comfortable at night, was to have a flame next to him, no matter how small. He sat down and closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. Pretty soon, the candle flame rose and fell with his breaths, and after a long while, it flickered with his heartbeat. Just as he felt relaxed enough to return to the barn to sleep with his friends, he heard the sound of boots on dirt. His eyes show open and he peered through the trees to see several lantern lights moving in unison toward Haru's home. He quickly blew out the candle and snuck through the trees. To his terror, he made out the image of Fire Nation armor, and realized what was happening. He shadowed the group of soldiers, judging their numbers and weighing them against his current situation.
If I engage the group, the Firebending will alert the town as well as any nearby Fire Nation garrisons. It could also set fire to these trees. However, if I attack, I can potentially save Haru, he thought to himself.
His choice was clear, and with great sadness, he resigned himself to do nothing but observe. The soldiers reached Haru's door and pounded on it.
"Yes?" Haru said as he opened the door, and realized with horror who was there.
"That's him! That's the Earthbender!" An old voice came from within the group of soldiers.
Daniel judged by the look of shock and betrayal on Haru's face, that the old voice belonged to the old man who Katara and Haru had rescued that evening. Without a word, the lead Fire Nation soldier picked up Haru with one great fist and carried him off.
"I'm sorry Haru." Daniel whispered to himself, and as soon as the soldiers were gone, he sprinted back to the barn.
