Welcome back for the next chap guys! AN at the bottom my lovelies!

Chap 8

Betrayal

Kunai awoke slowly. Memory of the night before crashed into her. She tried to sit up. "Kame-" Pain shot through her torso and she fell back with a squeak.

"Lay back down," came a gruff voice. Kunai glanced over at the far side of the room. Zuko was sitting on the floor next to Kameko's bed, his head cradled in his hands. Kunai looked over at Kameko, who was curled up in bed, sleeping peacefully. At first she sighed in relief. However, as her vision adjusted to the darkness, she saw bandages wrapped around Kameko's small hands, the edges bloodied. She gasped, curling in on herself.

"Her hands…"

"She burnt herself. She'll be fine," Zuko said. Kunai began to tremble, her eyes wide and unfocused.

"I let them take her."

Zuko rolled his eyes at her. "You didn't know."

"I'm a terrible mother. I let them take her. I let them take her. I let them take her." She repeated it again and again in a flat, lifeless mantra.

Zuko clenched his fists. "Azula's dead. I killed my own sister, Kunai." He spoke almost desperately. Where was his sympathy? Where was Kunai?

His words did nothing to faze her as she stared into space, repeating the words over and over again. He looked up at Kunai, her lifeless eyes quivering. "Just forget it!" He stood up and stormed out of the room. Kunai was supposed to feel for him. She was supposed to kiss his head and tell him it would be okay. She was supposed to understand that he had murdered his baby sister. He couldn't remember how many times his mother had told him to protect Azula. Had he forgotten who she'd been? That five-year-old who demanded stories and giggled and always wanted to play with him.

He collapsed when he reached the edge of a cliff overlooking tundra, burying his head in his knees. Tears burned down his cheeks. He'd never felt so ashamed. He'd murdered his sister because he hated her. He'd felt this before, while being prodded by hopeless doctors who swore he'd lose his sight, while standing at the front of a ship filled with the rejects of the navy who hated him. It was the feeling of utter disgust with himself. There was no sinking lower than this.


"She's not here… she's not here, dammit!" Sokka screamed, storming out of the abandoned airship. Aang followed closed behind him. Aang pressed his palms to his temples, shaking his head back and forth. With a desperate growl he fell to his knees.

"No! You mean we went through all this for nothing? I killed Azula for nothing," Aang said. "What do we do now!?"

Sokka gulped and pinched the bridge of his nose. "We need to surprise the fleet. We'll wait a day so they won't expect us and then we'll strike."

"A whole day! But-"

"Well what else is there to do, Aang!?" Sokka snapped, turning back to the younger boy with. Aang looked up at Sokka, shocked. "Man up!" Sokka turned away and stormed back to the hut.

Aang growled in frustration. If he just knew where Katara was, if she was okay, what he should do…

The Spirits! Aang thought with a gasp. If there was any way to know what had happened to her, this was his best bet. He walked out to the docks, peaceful in the early morning and sat cross-legged. It only took a few to slip into the spirit world.

"Well, hello Aang."

Aang turned around to see Roku, standing with a kind smile, and beamed at him. "Roku! I need your help I-"

"I know why you are here, Aang. I must tell you I do not have the information you seek."

Aang's heart dropped. "What! But-"

"I do, however, know a spirit who can help you."

Once again, a smile split Aang's face. "Really!? Who? Where is he?"

"He is called Takeo, The Spirit of the Warrior. His spirit is young, but he has undeniable connection with the spirit world from his time on Earth. Three years after he came here, he went into a great rage and took on the form of a dragon. He dwells in a cave not far from here watching over true warriors and prisoners. He will deny you any information if he sees you impure of heart or disrespectful. Otherwise, he will give you all the information you need."

Aang nodded. "Thanks Roku!" he called as he took off, running off to find the spirit.


Kunai had examined Kameko while she'd slept. A bruise along her ribs, a slight red burn along her hip, along with the countless first and second degree burns on her hands. She counted them all and chose equal penance.

She was hated herself, that she would sink so low, yet again. Still, it didn't stop her from taking out her knife and crawling into her bed, hiding her legs beneath the covers from the outside world and dragging the knife across the skin of her thigh. She started with two long, deep cuts for the bruise and the burn and then she let her own instinct take over. She cut until her arm ached and her fingers dripped with blood. She looked down at her mangled flesh and she was satisfied.

She deserved it, after all. She'd let her daughter be taken away and she knew why. It was because of the thickness of Kameko's hair, the tiny dimple in her chin, her thin eyebrows and everything that wasn't her. Crico was in her and that's why she'd left her to die.

As Kunai cleaned her knife she decided this wasn't the last punishment she deserved. When her arm was less sore, when she got another chance, she'd pay full penance.

Right now she had to deal with another issue. Azula was dead. Never mind the fact that she was her boyfriend's sister. Never mind the fact that he'd pleaded to her in a way he rarely had for comfort and had been ignored. All that was important was that Azula was dead and any plans or tactical abilities to hurt Kameko or Ekiri had died with her.

Kunai knelt beside Kameko's bed, watching her for a minute or an hour before the little girl awoke. Kunai smiled and caressed the little girl's cheek.

"Hey baby," she whispered with a broken voice.

Kameko gave a wide, sleepy smile. "You're okay."

Kunai bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes, and nodded. "Yeah, I am. Kameko, I've gotta talk to you about some things, okay? Some big girl things."

Kameko sat up and nodded. Kunai sighed, cupping the toddler's cheek. "I love you… I love you so much but I think you need to go back to live with Ekiri."

Kameko's smile dropped and she stuck out her bottom lip, shaking her head. "No Mama! I wanna stay with you!"

Kunai took in a shaky breath. "Baby, I know but… but Mama just can't take care of you right now."

Kameko let out a frustrated squeal and slammed her fists on the bed. "No! I wanna stay!" She began to cry, curling her knees to her chest. "I'll be a good girl, Mama! I wanna stay! I'll be good!"

Kunai choked and sat on the bed, pulling the little girl to her chest. "Oh baby, you are a good girl. You're the best little girl I could ever want. I'm so sorry." She buried her head into Kameko's messy black tresses and cried, rocking the little girl back and forth. She cried out of guilt, she cried out of anger, and sometimes she wasn't even sure why she was cried, but at some point, she wasn't holding Kameko anymore, doubled over with her head in her hands and Kameko at her side, nuzzling her, whispering "It's okay, Mama."


While Kameko occupied herself in the corner with her toys, Kunai watched from her bed. She wasn't quite happy. No, not even close. However there was a sense of relief, as if some of the weight on her chest had lifted.

Unbeknownst to her, Zuko stood silently in the doorway. He didn't know why he'd come, whether it was to make amends or demand to know what was wrong with her. He only knew that his plan had changed by the odd look on her face. He resolved to make himself known and see what happened. He sighed as he walked in, and she turned to him in surprise, tensing up. She tried to form a sentence, a simple greeting, yet her throat remained stuck. She was silent as he sat next to her. He watched her out of the corner of her eye, her intense, judgmental gaze boring into his skin. He clenched his fists. "Kunai… you… you shouldn't be so upset about what happened, okay?" He internally scolded himself. He hadn't meant to sound so harsh. He reached out to give a small token of affection, placing his hand on her thigh. He was unprepared for the strangled yelp she let out, jumping away from his grasp.

"What happened to your leg?" he asked.

Kunai scowled and crossed her arms. "Nothing," she said, fresh pain still radiating though her leg.

Zuko frowned. "Kunai, what happened-"

"I heard you the first time! You don't have to repeat it to me like I'm a child! I said nothing!" She stood up, standing over him, a scowl marring her face.

Zuko reacted, towering over her. "I wouldn't repeat it if you wouldn't lie to me!"

Kunai leaned in close to him and growled, low and terrifying. "It's none of your damn business."

Zuko stepped back with snarl and stormed out of the room, leaving Kunai seething. She paced about, hands twitching, heart pounding. She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry, she didn't know what she wanted.

"Kameko, Mama's going for a walk, okay?"

She caught a glimpse of Kameko's nod before running out of the room and out into the village. She wanted to be alone. However, her hopes we're crushed when heavy footsteps came up behind her. She looked back to see none other than Toph, sporting a new pair of makeshift boots made of scrap metal.

"Can you see in those?" Kunai asked.

Toph shrugged and plopped down next to her. "Eh. I get around easy enough. So, what's all this yelling between you and Sparky?"

Kunai bit the inside of her cheek. "I just…" She faced two options. She could keep her secrets close, guarding herself behind a barricade of lies or she could open up to a friend and give herself a chance at freedom. She sniffed and swiped her eye. "I'm just really mad at myself." She heaved a heavy, nervous sigh yet she willed herself to continue. "I mean, I let them take my baby away. I let them take her! I wanted to be a good mom; I really did but it just so hard." She shook her head. "I'm a terrible mother."

There was a moment of silence before Toph sighed. "Look. Even though it was kind of a shock that you were actually a mom, I didn't have a hard time seeing you as the mother type."

"What do you mean?"

"You were always taking care of us. And I mean Katara was great and all, before you came along, keeping us out of trouble and whatnot, but you're kinda different. You went exploring with Teo when no one else would, you told the Duke stories and then there was that…. thing."

Kunai chuckled. "We're still not talking about it?"

Kunai was wandering the temple. She'd been staring at the wall for an hour as sleep refused to come. For all she knew, the rest of the temple was asleep and here she was walking the halls aimlessly. Her walk was rather uneventful until she heard murmurs and the rustle of clothes. She followed it to one of the far off fountains. She held up a fireball to ward of the complete darkness, only to see Toph facing away from her, feet in the fountain and pants-less.

"Toph?"

"Why are you awake?" Toph demanded. Kunai narrowed her eyes and walked up to her.

"Couldn't sleep. What's wrong?"

Toph sighed, annoyed. "I woke up and my stomach hurt and there was blood on my pants so I came here to wash off the blood and find where I cut myself or something. But there's no open wound or anything."

"Toph!" Kunai exclaimed, kneeling at her side. "Welcome to womanhood. You just started your cycle."

"My what?"

"No one ever explained this to you?"

Toph shrugged. "No."

Kunai smiled and began to explain. "Well when girls get a certain age they start a monthly cycle. That's what the blood and the pain is."

Toph furrowed her brow. "Wait. Are you telling me that I'm gonna randomly start bleeding and feeling like I'm being ripped in half every month!? Where's the blood even coming from?"

Kunai sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "From between your legs, Toph."

Toph groaned. "Ugh! That's disgusting."

Kunai chuckled, shaking her head. For the next half hour she explained in detail what was going on. She taught the young girl how to wrap and discard rags and offered a few tips to ease the pain in her lower stomach. Toph listened quietly.

Kunai nudged her. "Hey. What's wrong?"

Toph snorted and crossed her arms, scuffing her foot against the ground. "So what, now I'm a woman I'm gonna change into some girly girl?"

Kunai smirked and rested her hand on Toph's knee. "Definitely not. All this means is you're getting older. But it doesn't change who you are. You're not any different. You're still the bad ass Toph we all love."

Toph's lips twisted

Kunai stood up. "Come on. We both could use some sleep."

Toph followed, but just before they got back to the temple, she punched Kunai hard in the arm. "We're never speaking of this again."

"No. We are still not talking about that," Toph confirmed. Kunai nodded and let out a small chuckle, resting her head in her palm.

"You've always been a big Mama Bear to us, even when we barely knew you. Don't doubt yourself."

Kunai smiled and nudged the younger girl in show of affection. She let out a dry, humorless laugh.

"I don't suppose you have any advice on how to talk to Zuko," Kunai said bitterly.

Toph shrugged, standing up. "All I can say is you should just tell him the truth. Other than that, I can't speak for all your touchy feely emotional mumbo jumbo."

Kunai nodded. "Thanks Toph. For everything."

Toph snorted and walked off.


It was late afternoon when Kunai started back to the compound. She glanced at the ocean and saw a globe of water, rising up from the surface and rolling onto the shore. Kunai watched in disbelief as the orb broke and Katara emerged, disheveled and exhausted. She collapsed to her knees. Kunai cried out and ran to the younger girl, falling to her side. She grabbed Katara by the shoulders.

"You're alive… oh Tui and La you're alive!" She drew Katara into her arms. Katara shivered and curled into Kunai's embrace for both warmth and comfort.

"Cold."

Kunai nodded fervently and wrapped an arm around Katara's waist, supporting most of her weight as she carried her into the compound. She brought Katara into the main room, setting her down in front of the fire and wrapping her in furs.

"What happened to you?" Kunai asked, bending the water from Katara's hair.

"I f-fell off t-t-the air s-ship."

"You were underwater this whole time?"

"Mm-hmm. W-where are t-the ot-t-thers?"

"In their rooms. Aang went out to meditate and-"

"Guys! Everyone! I know where Katara is!" A joyful voice came tearing through the halls. Kunai and Katara shared a private smile as several groans met the excited Avatar's cry.

"Guys," Kunai called.

Aang slid into the room. "Kunai I- Katara!" He launched himself at her, nearly knocking her over with the force of the embrace. Katara chuckled and hugged him back. The rest of the group, save Zuko, who was still off on his own, ran into the room and straight to Katara, engulfing her. Kunai slipped out of the room, leaving old friends to their own devices. She walked back into her room, where Kameko was sitting amongst a pile of toys. She jumped up and scurried to her mother, wrapping her arms around Kunai's leg and flashing an unbridled, gap tooth grin. The gesture tugged at Kunai's heart. Feeble as it was, Kunai managed to smile back and lift the little girl onto her hip, giving her a kiss on the head.

"Hey baby girl. How 'bout you let Mama braid your hair?"

Kameko nodded. Kunai sat down on the bed and placed the little girl between her knees. She brushed through the soft black tangles and began braiding them into pigtails. Kameko bounced and wiggled.

"You gotta sit still, silly." Kunai chuckled, pinching the toddler's cheek. Kameko gave a snort as she shied away, giggling and grinning. Kunai pulled Kameko closer, nuzzling the top of her head with her cheek."Sit still so I can finish your pigtails."

Kameko stilled, her hands twitching in her lap. When she was done, Kunai bent a stream of water from her water-skin and froze it into a mirror, holding it in front of them.

Kameko watched in amazement. "Can I do that Mama?"

"No baby, you're a firebender." Seeing the disappointment on Kameko's features, Kunai distracted her. "Baby, look at your pigtails."

Kameko focused her attention on the mirror. She grasped both of them and giggled, bouncing up and down. "I like piggy-tails!"

Kunai smiled and wrapped her arms around Kameko's middle, kissing her on the temple. "You look beautiful, sweety."

"Mama, can I play outside?" she asked, clasping her hands and poking her bottom lip out. At first Kunai wanted to say no but then she realized she hadn't seen Zuko since he'd stormed outside. If she knew him he was probably just outside somewhere, alone and sulking. She could find him and fix things.

She set the little girl on the floor and wrapped her up in a parka and gloves before slipping on her own jacket and going out into the snow. They walked through the tundra, giggling and throwing snowballs as Kunai searched for Zuko. She found him sitting on a cliff-side, unaware of her presence. Kunai knelt down to Kameko. "I'm gonna go talk to Zuko for a second, okay? Stay where I can see you."

Kameko skipped off while Kunai went over to Zuko. She walked up behind him and started to open his mouth when he said, "What do you want?"

Her already sensitive heart flared at the jab and she almost gave an equally sharp reply. She clenched her fists, willing herself to stay calm, and sat next to him. Tell him the truth, that's what she had to do.

"I cut myself," she said, before she could stop herself. She kept her head down, avoiding Zuko's incredulous gaze. "That's what happened to my leg."

"How'd you cut yourself?" Zuko asked. Kunai looked up at him, silently begging 'Please don't make me say it'. Zuko's amber eyes widened as realization hit him. He'd heard of people cutting themselves when they were depressed, but why would Kunai ever do such a thing to herself?

"Why'd you do it?"

"Because I let them take her."

Zuko growled and dropped his head into his hands. "Again, Kunai? You didn't-"

"Dammit! You don't get it, do you!?" Kunai yelled, turning to him and clenching her fists. She let out a frustrated growl and pressed the heels of her hands to her temples. "I didn't protect her because she scares me! I'm supposed to take care of her and protect her but I didn't because sometimes when I look at her, all I see is him. I'm trying to explain this to you so you can understand but you're not even trying to understand, are you?" Hot, angry tears stung her eyes now. "I stopped having nightmares and seeing his face when I was fifteen. I thought it was done and now it's starting all over again! She's my daughter and I almost let her die because she's a nightmare to me!" She couldn't stop the outpouring of words The feeling of release was just too addictive. "You expect me to be here for you when I can't even deal with myself? I sliced my own damn leg! I'm crazy! And as much as I want to be there for you and as much as I know you're hurting, I can't, Zuko! I just can't."

The silence hung in the air, suffocating and resilient, as Zuko couldn't seem to find any words to break it. His Kunai was still in there, still wanting to comfort him. But knowing that she'd purposely cut herself, that she was haunted by such a monster… he'd found someone to rival his pain.

"Let me see."

Kunai clenched her fists. She was struck by memories of nightly checks, being forced to show her scars. But she knew he didn't know any better.

"Legs too," Emi said sternly. Kunai growled low in her throat and sat back on her bedroll, rolling up the hem of her skirt. It proved difficult with the thick bandages around her wrists. Emi inspected the old scars and searched for new ones, taking a full five minutes until she was satisfied.

"Okay, okay." She turned to leave the fifteen- year-olds tent but suddenly stopped.

"Open up your bag."

Kunai froze, her mouth moving wordlessly. Both girls glanced at the bag. Kunai pounced for it but Emi was faster, snatching the bag from under her and dumping its contents onto the floor.

"Whiskey, Vodka. What the fuck, Kunai?"

"It's my stuff. Back off!"

"Zuko… I can't. I can't do it."

Zuko started to demand her but Kameko interrupted him, pouncing onto her mother's back. "Mama, I'm cold. Can we go back now?"

"Okay, baby girl. Just give me a second." She gave Kameko a little pat on the back and sent her off to wander before sighing. "I don't want to fight like this."

"Me neither."

Kunai put her hand on his shoulder and placed a feather light kiss on his cheek. "I'm sorry."

The two words spoke for everything. She stood up, offering him the smallest of smiles. "I'll be inside if you need me."

Zuko watched her walk away in confusion and disbelief. She admitted to harming herself, to being haunted through her daughter and then she apologized. In a way he reviled in the trust her showed. However he also despised the feeling of only knowing a few choice details about her old life. Only Kunai could make him this angry and this in love at the same time.


Zuko returned at dinner to find everyone in high spirits. Aang was sitting next to Katara, blushing every time she touched his arm or gave that girlish, flirtatious smirk. Sokka had an arm around his sister's shoulders. Kameko toddled amongst everyone, striking up conversations and soaking up the attention she received. Even Kunai was smiling off to the side, uttering a few words when acknowledged. Seeing Zuko in the doorway, Sokka waved him in and continued his ghost story. Zuko walked in and sat next to Kunai. She draped her hand on his knee, and he draped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. Kunai hummed in relief, gently nuzzling his chest.

"I love you," Zuko whispered, his lips grazing her earlobe.

Kunai shivered. "Love you too."

Another hour went by and Kameko yawned in her mother's lap, head bobbing up and down.

"I think it's time for somebody to go to bed," Kunai said.

Kameko shook her head. "I'm not tired."

Kunai smiled and lifted the little girl up onto her chest. "Come on baby. It's late."

Kameko yawned once more, going limp as Kunai laid her in bed. "But I'm… not…"

Kunai let out a quiet chuckle as she tucked a blanket beneath the sleeping toddler's chin.

"Not tired at all."

Kunai turned around and smiled at Zuko. She walked over to him and leaned onto his chest. His lips curled at the edges as he pulled her into him. "I feel like I should feel worse about what happened," he said, not meeting her eye.

Kunai bit her lip with a sigh. "You saved the village. We have a much better chance at winning this thing now. But she was your sister. I don't blame you for being confused."

Zuko shook his head. "But I should feel terrible and-"

A gentle finger on his lips silenced him. "Shh. You can't make yourself feel anything. What do you feel?"

"She made my life miserable! It wasn't because I had to. It was because..." He sighed in dropped his head as all the pieces came together. "Kunai-"

"Don't," she interrupted, placing a hand on his cheek and making him look at her. "You don't have to say a thing."

Regular updates yay! Thanks so much for all your support and patience guys! I've got big plans for this story in the future and it's gonna get awesome. Go back to the old stories and listen to the playlists if you wanna break your feels! Luv u guys