Zutara - Healing Chapter 9
Tears filled my eyes and the sight of my mother. I took a step forward but a hand grabbed my shoulder. "Careful, Zuko," Toph said and I looked back at her. "She is alive, but she won't wake up. She was barely conscious when I found her, but there were a few guards and..."
My joy turned to terror as I looked back at the figure on the ground. "Mom?" Toph let go of me and I slowly walked to the figure then knelt beside it. I moved the dark hair out of her face, it was her, I knew that face. At the same time it did not look like my mother at all. She was thin and pale, and cold, her skin was so very cold. So cold it was like she was dead. "Mom," I grabbed her and held her close to me, then leaned down to check her heart. It was beating, very slowly, but it was beating.
I felt a knew drive enter me, and I looked up at the avatar and his friend in front of me, though they were only silhouettes. "We need to get her out of here," I almost demanded.
"Of course!" Aang said jumping forward.
"Should we all carry her?" Toph asked.
"No, I'll carry her, Aang you lead the way with fire. Toph you follow and warn us if there is any trouble," I said, shifting my position to pick her up. Aang bent a flame in his hand which lit up the room.
"Sure and who put you in charge?" Toph said sarcastically. I glared at her a moment and she said, "Fine, fine.
We moved through the tunnels quickly and when we got to outside, the light was a relief from the swallowing darkness. As we made our way through the thin path Aang asked aloud, "Hey Toph, you told Zuko there were other guards, but we only found one. What happened to the others."
I could see Toph behind me but she didn't respond right away. And when she did, she sounded slightly sad, almost guilty. "Well, Twinkle Toes, they were trying to kill me. And they almost did kill Zuko's mom so…"
Aang bowed his head, "Oh."
"I'm sorry, I know how much you hate death and all."
"No, it's ok, I understand," Aang replied sadly.
"No, Aang it's ok not to be ok with it," Toph protested.
"Ok," I interjected. "Not to get in the way, but I think we need to concentrate on getting to the Firenation. You can resume this on Appa.
Both of them went silent.
When we got to Appa, the guards were holding the man we had found. He wasn't struggling but was bending over limply as if unconscious, but when we got closer he looked up. "You found her!"
"Yes we did!" Toph yelled at him with her finger pointed, "You lying son of a catgator!"
"Toph," Aang said.
Toph folded her arms and grumbled, "Sorry."
"Get him onto the bison, I want to leave immediately. My mother is injured and sick. She needs healers." I demanded. Aang helped me get my mother onto Appa's saddle as the guards lifted the other man. Once everyone was on I asked Aang quietly, do you have parchment I can use?"
"Of course, I have some in my bag so that we could send you letters." Aang reached in his pack and pulled out parchment, a pen and ink. "Here," he handed them to me.
"Thank you," I mumbled, too consumed at the task at hand.
"Who are you sending a message to?" Aang inquired.
"Katara, she is the best healer I know," I sat next to my mother, and kept her secure under my arm.
Aang nodded and turned back to Appa, not questioning farther. I concentrated on writing the letter and didn't notice just when we had left the ground.
"Master Katara,
I do not know how much you are aware of my searching for my mother, Lady Ursa. I have great news that she has been found, but unfortunately she is not well. She seems to be in a coma. You are the best healer I know and I plead for you to do all your abilities allow.
Thank you,
Firelord Zuko"
I frowned at the formality of the letter, but decided it was good enough. I called to Aang, "If there is a nearby firenation post, I'd like to send this letter as soon as is possible."
"We will be passing one in an hour, I will be sure to stop," Aang called back.
'Good,' I thought. Then I looked down at my mother again. I was so happy to see her, but so scared about her health. I leaned down and whispered to her, "Don't worry, mom, we will be home soon."
