JUST TO CONFIRM THIS, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE STILL WONDERING HOW KATARA WENT MISSING IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER. THIS CHAPTER TAKES PLACE TWO DAYS BEFORE THE LAST ONE, BUT I WILL EXPLAIN HER DISAPPEARANCE NEXT TIME.

Avatar: Real World

Chapter Nine: Haru

Haru has always done well. He's always treated people kind and always thought of them before himself. His family wasn't too rich, but they did have a fair amount of money, so Haru never really asked for much, but he was perfectly happy with his life. His father had a good job, his mother was always caring and supported him, whatever he sought out to do. It seemed he had the perfect life, but Haru will learn happiness has a price.

"Dad, you're home!" Twelve year-old Haru ran over to his dad for a hug as his father took a few steps into the front door.

"How was your day, my son?" asked his father.

"It was okay, but school was so boring today," Haru said, rolling his eyes.

"Now Haru, we talked about this, it doesn't matter if school is boring. What matters is you get the education you need to get through life and someday you can have a great job."

"Dad, I want to be just like you when I grow up and have the same job, so I can make good money," Haru said, clearly excited.

"To admire someone for their success is a good thing. It means you recognize a good thing when you see it, but never wish to be like anyone one else except yourself. Follow you own path into greatness. It's not about having a good paying job; it's about finding the job you love. Find a job you love and you never have to work."

"Okay dad, you got a deal." Haru gave his dad a high-five as Haru's mother walked into the room.

"Tyro, how was your day?" asked his wife as she greeted him at the door.

"It was fine today, but I have to tell you, my back is killing me." Haru walked over to the couch in the living room to sit down.

"Well dinner is almost ready, so don't get too comfortable, because you're eating over here in the dining room." Haru and Tyro dropped their heads in disappointment. They loved eating in the living room because they were able to watch their favorite shows at the same time.

Knock Knock.

Suddenly there was a knock at the front door. Haru's mother went to answer it, but Tyro got up instead. "Don't worry dear, I'll get it." Tyro opened the door to find two policemen standing there. "Can I help you, officers?" he asked.

"I am Officer Long Feng and this is my partner, Officer Chan . You're under arrest for the murder of Azulon Kuzon." Long Feng grabbed Tyro's hands and placed them behind his back. Tyro struggled, but the two got him in cuffs.

"What is this? I did nothing wrong!" Tyro tried to convince them he was innocent, but they were doing what they had to do. "I don't even know an Azulon, get off of me!"

"Dad! What's going on?" Haru eyes began to water as his mother held him from running to his dad.

"Son listen to me, I want you to be brave, okay? Keep your chin high and be brave. I'll be back soon, I promise." Haru wiped away his tears as Tyro was taken away into the back of a police car. Tyro gave one last look at his son from the back seat, before he was taken away.

"Everything is going to be okay, Haru." His mother held him tight. Haru didn't even want to move, he felt empty inside.

Five Years Later

"Haru, could you please come answer the door!" Haru's mother called to him from the kitchen as she continued packing food into a basket. Haru was upstairs in the bathroom checking himself in the mirror.

"Awesome. Give it a few more weeks and this fuzz will be a real mustache." Haru was getting ready for a family picnic. They were going to a public park, so he wanted to make sure he looked good.

"Haru, did you hear me?" his mother called again.

"Yeah mom, in a second." Haru walked from the bathroom and headed into the hallway, then down the staircase to answer the front door. He brushed back his long hair with his hand one last time before answering the door. He heard that his mother's friends were coming and they had children his age, so he didn't want to look weird in front of them. He placed his hand on the knob and turned it, pulling the door open.

"Haru, it's so good to see you," said Haru's younger cousin, as she charged into him for a hug.

"Oh, it's just you Meng." Haru patted her on the back as she latched her arms around his waist.

"Oh my, Haru, look how much you've grown," said his Aunt Wu, as she joined in on the hug. Haru felt uncomfortable, but it was family, what else was he supposed to do?

"Um, why don't you guys go sit over there, I'll go get my mother." Haru closed the front door, and directed them to the living room couch.

"Hey mom, Aunt Wu's here, and she brought Meng along," he said, with disappointment edging its way into his voice.

"Now Haru, you know Aunt Wu has been taking care of Meng since her parents died, and I think you should learn to spend more time with your cousin." His mother continued giving him a lecture, while he ignored her by looking through the fridge.

"Yeah, I know, and it's sad, but she's like twelve years old, we have nothing in common," Haru said as he grabbed an orange soda from the fridge, and snapped it open.

"Haru, save those for the picnic, and please, give her a chance," she said as she wiped her hands clean, and walked over to the living room. Haru took a sip of his soda and followed his mother into the living room.

While Haru's mother talked to Wu, waiting for the other family, Haru sat in his favorite chair that his father used to sit in. The seat had the perfect view of the television, and was the most comfortable place to sit in the house. While Haru closed his eyes to get comfortable, he suddenly heard an annoying little voice come from behind his father's chair.

"Hello Haru!" Meng said, popping up from behind him. Haru turned around to face the twelve year-old girl.

"Oh hey." He turned back around to ignore her.

"So, Haru watcha doin'?" she asked innocently.

"Nothing," he said, pulling his Mp3 player out of his pocket.

"Is that a new one?" she asked anxiously "Looks new to me. Can I listen to it? Hey can you even hear me? Are you trying to ignore me? That's okay, because I can do this all day." Meng continued saying whatever popped in her head, while Haru quietly sat listening to his music with his eyes closed.

Later on that day, Haru's family and family friends all met up at a local park, where they rented out a few tables, so that they could have their picnic.

Haru didn't know many of his parents' old friends, but he didn't really care. After his father was taken away, he didn't really care for much. The only thing he had concern for was for him and his mother. As long as she was happy, he would be happy too. Sadly, his mother has been very depressed since his father's arrest, so he was glad that this picnic was cheering her up. When Haru was finished helping his mother unload things from the car, he walked over on his own to an empty table, while his family conversed. Being here at this event reminded him of his father. His father, Tyro, loved family gatherings, because to Tyro, family and friends were the most important thing in his life.

Haru was beginning to pull his Mp3 from his pocket when he heard a familiar song, being played from a guitar. He stood up to search around with his eyes. It was the same song, his father used to play for him on his harmonica. When he looked over near the recreational center, he noticed a classmate of his sitting on a lonely bench playing a guitar.

"It was that kid with the scar on his left eye, from the sophomore classes, Zuko,"he thought to himself. Haru watched and listened to him play until the kid noticed him watching. Zuko stood up and walked away, heading into the recreational center, as if he was following or looking for something. Haru's attention suddenly turned to the twelve year-old girl and his mother standing behind him. Meng had a huge grin on her face, as his mother smiled, placing her hand on Meng's shoulder.

"Yeah mom, what is it?" he asked, placing his Mp3 back into his pocket.

"Do you mind taking Meng to the pool over there? She promised some friends that she would meet them there," asked his mother.

"Come on mom, why can't she go by herself?" he asked, rolling his eyes.

"Okay, now I'm not asking you. I'm telling you, take her to the pool. Besides, there might be girls there."

Haru suddenly leaped from his seat with a grin on his face, and picked up Meng from the ground. "Come on, let's go," he said, rushing quickly to the pool.

Haru put her down as he approached the entrance of the pool gate. Meng rushed on inside, but Haru slowly walked in, trying not to look anxious.

"Hey guys!" Meng shouted, waving to her friends as they waved back from inside the pool. Haru looked over to Meng's friends. There were four of them all hanging together. Haru could swear that Meng had the strangest friends. The skinny boy had a scar on his back. He ran across the pool grounds as he prepared for a back flip into the pool. He hit the water hard, splashing the lifeguards. Her other friend was a blind girl who sat kicking her feet in the water. She sat next to another scrawny kid, who seemed to be unable to move his legs. The only one who seemed to be normal was the calm young girl who was peacefully doing the back stroke.

"Well, I'm gonna go sit over there away from you losers," said Haru as Meng ran over to her friends. Just then Haru noticed one of her friends waving in his direction. Haru felt awkward about this, but he waved back hesitantly. Suddenly he heard a voice from behind him.

"Hey Aang!" called a voice from behind him.

"Hey Katara!" the boy's face suddenly lit up.

"Katara?" Haru asked himself as he looked back to see his friends.

"Haru, what are you doing here?" asked his friend Katara as she walked up to him. Suddenly the look on the kid named Aang's face disappeared.

"Hey buddy, what's up," said Katara's older brother Sokka.

"Haru, it's great to see you," said another girl named Suki, walking up next to Sokka.

"I'm just keeping an eye out for my cousin and her friends." Haru suddenly made it seem like he was protective to impress Katara and Suki.

"Yeah, that's what I'm doing here with these two," said Sokka and he flexed his muscles. Suki poked his stomach, making him lose his breath. Sokka suddenly hung over, trying to re-catch his breath.

"Anyway, that's very sweet of you, Haru... looking after your cousin," said Katara.

"And friends," said Sokka placing his hand on Haru's shoulder. "But yeah, that's what us kind of guys do around here. Right, Haru?"

"Yeah." Haru and Sokka poked out there chest and looked up with pride to show off. When they looked back down at the girls, Katara and Suki were standing over near Aang and Teo.

"Maybe that's how it's done," Sokka said with a confused look on his face.

"Looks like it," Haru agreed.

"Okay, you break your legs, and I'll learn to do back flips, and then we're good." Sokka had a huge grin on his face, as he swore his plan was gonna work.

Haru ignored Sokka's crude humor and walked over to the others.

"Hey Katara, look what I can do." Aang started at the pool gate and just before he approached the pool, he did a back flip and landed in the water. Katara and the others cheered, as Haru rubbed his chin, feeling the little hairs he had growing in. Meng rushed over to Aang and grabbed his arm holding onto him tight.

"That was amazing Aang, you are so awesome," Aang tried pulling away, but her grip was too strong.

"Aw, they are so cute together," said Katara teasingly. Everyone began to laugh as Aang blushed in embarrassment. Everyone was laughing except Meng's friend On Ji, who just lightly smiled.

"So, what are you guys doing once school ends?" asked Haru toward the older kids.

"Well, I'm going to New York for vacation," said Suki, twirling her hair with her finger.

"Sokka and I are staying home this year, because my dad is coming home from the war," Katara added.

"Oh, well that sounds nice," Haru said dropping his head. "I wish I could see my father."

"Oh, I'm sorry Haru, I forgot." Katara placed her hand on Haru's shoulder, trying to comfort him. Haru walked away, heading toward the pool gate. "Haru, wait up." Katara went after him, but Aang grabbed her hand and pulled her back.

"Katara, he needs time alone to think to himself. Give him some time, he'll come back," said Aang as they both watched Haru leave from the pool.

"Um, Aang you can let go of my hand now," said Katara gently.

"I already did," Aang said with confidence.

"Um, no you didn't, see?" Katara held her hand up to show him that he was still holding on.

"Oh, my fault." Aang let go and began rubbing the back of his head, with a grin on his face.

"Why can't that be my hand?"Meng thought to herself. "Floozy."

Haru walked over to the recreational center to sit in the air conditioning. He walked over to a bench, where he saw Zuko once again alone. Zuko noticed him, but paid him no mind. Haru sat on the same bench as him, but made sure there was a huge gap between them. At first there was a moment of silence and the two avoided eye contact. Haru suddenly began whistling.

"What?" Zuko asked annoyed.

"What? Nothing, just chillin', hangin'," Haru answered.

"Well could you chill a little quieter?" asked Zuko.

"Okay man, don't' be such a jerk about it." Haru quickly looked away, hoping Zuko didn't fully hear what he said.

Zuko stared at him, with an angry look on his face for a while, and took a deep breath. "You're right, I'm sorry."

Haru, surprised by what he said, quickly looked back over to Zuko. "Wait, what?"

"Look, I know I sometimes act like a jerk, but I guess that's just how I express myself." Zuko looked at Haru for a second and looked back down.

"Oh. What are you doing here anyway?" asked Haru.

"Not sure, I always just kinda end up here at the end of the day." Zuko replied. "You?"

"I'm here with some family and friends."

"Oh, well that's cool," said Zuko raising his eyebrow. "I haven't seen my whole family in a long time." Zuko dropped his head and remained silent, as Haru thought of something to say.

"I haven't really seen my family much, since my dad got arrested, five years ago."

"I haven't seen my dad, for a while either, but it's not like I every got to see him when he was around anyway." Zuko slouched in his seat a little.

"My father was always around, and he was a good man too, but he was framed for murder." Haru smiled a little as he thought about his father. "Well at least we have our mothers right?" Haru said, trying to make things seem better.

"Actually, my mother left when I was ten," Zuko said flatly. Haru suddenly felt guilty.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Haru felt like shutting up for the day.

"It's okay. Look, I got to go anyway, so I guess I'll see you around school." Zuko shook his hand and began to walk away.

Haru almost let him walk, but an idea suddenly popped into his head. "Hey Zuko," Haru called out, catching up with him.

Zuko stopped and looked back at Haru. "What's up?"

"I'm hanging out at the pool with some friends, wanna come?" he asked.

"Actually, I don't have any trunks, and have things to do ...I'm not sure." Zuko began to walk away again.

"Okay," said Haru, heading the same way as him.

"But just out of curiosity, who else is there?" Zuko asked, turning around to face Haru.

"Well, there's my little cousin and her friends,..." Zuko rolled his eyes. "...there's Sokka and Suki..." Zuko smiled to himself. "...oh yeah, and Katara is there too." Suddenly Zuko's eyes opened up wide.

"You know what, your persistence, has gotten to me, let's go." Zuko said with a smirk on his face.

Back at the pool, the younger kids were playing Marco Polo while the older kids just sat on beach chairs talking. Sokka kept slowly creeping over next to Suki, as Aang still tried to get Katara's attention. Teo and Toph sat in the kiddie pool, because Toph couldn't swim, and Teo had no use of his legs. The both of them were upset and embarrassed, but On Ji sat over with them, so they didn't feel left out. Meng just enjoyed herself watching Aang showing off. Katara was talking to Suki about her final school project, when suddenly something caught her eye.

Katara stood up from her seat and walked over to the pool fence. "Katara, what are you doing?" asked Suki.

"It's Haru, and is that Zuko?" Katara asked with a smile on her face.

"What do you know, it is Zuko," said Sokka, leaning his arm on Suki's shoulder. Suki glanced over to him without moving her whole head, and took a step away and Sokka leaned further in, falling to the ground.

"Hey, Haru," Katara said gently. "Hey Zuko," she said with a lump in her throat.

"Whats up?" he said, smiling.

"You coming in?" she asked.

"Sure, but I'm not swimming." he walked around to the front gate. Aang noticed Zuko walking in and suddenly felt a little jealous that Katara was happy to see him.

"So, how did you get Zuko to come over here?" asked Suki.

"How do you think?" Haru said, pointing over to the two teenagers conversing.

"That's so nice of you Haru, but Zuko is such a loner, he doesn't like hanging out with other people." Suki glared at Zuko as Sokka picked himself up off the floor.

"Yeah well, Haru here got his niceness from me, right buddy?" said Sokka.

"Sure thing, Sokka," Haru said back at him.

Haru walked over to the front gate to hang out with the others.

"Yup that's us, nice guys," Sokka suddenly struck a pose, as Suki laughed at him. Sokka just held the pose smiling. Suki leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

"Yeah, I guess you are." Suki walked over to Katara and Zuko, as Sokka remained stiff with a bright red face. He felt his head get heavy and suddenly lost balance, falling backward into the pool.

Later that night, everyone headed home. Haru helped his mother pack up and drove home for her, so she could rest in the car.

Haru had to admit to himself that going to the picnic is exactly what he needed to feel better, but he felt he wouldn't be complete until his father was back home to share the memories with.

The next day, at school, Haru was in his locker getting his books for his first period class. When he closed his locker door, he was startled by a girl he met in the mall.

"Hello Haru," said Azula with a huge and fairly creepy grin on her face.

"Oh, hey, Azula." Haru went to walk away, but suddenly stopped and turned around. "Hey, wait a minute. I thought you went to Fire Lily High."

"I did, but that school was full of nothing, but girls. I'm fourteen, I need a big strong man, like yourself, to help me carry my books," she said, feeling his arm for a muscle.

"Yeah, about that, um, I got to go," Haru began to walk away, when Azula stopped him.

"Wait, my brother told me to give this to you." Azula handed Haru a cell phone.

"Um, why would Zuko give me a cell phone?" Haru asked.

"Beats me, he's strange, but don't worry, crazy doesn't run in the family." Azula clinched on to his arm tightly.

"Yeah, I'll be sure to thank him," said Haru, walking away again.

"Wait, don't I get a thank you?" Azula asked.

"Oh yeah, sure thing." Azula closed her eyes and puckered her lips, but Haru, just patted her on the shoulder.

"Thanks, kiddo," said Haru, heading to class. Azula's eye began to twitch as she begin to grow a disturbing grin on her face.

During lunch, Haru felt the phone from inside his pocket vibrate. It was tha one Azula handed to him. "What? Who's calling me now?"

The number was unknown, but Haru answered it anyway. "Hello?"

"Haru? It's me, dad." Haru dropped the phone as his eyes shot wide open and his body went numb. He quickly picked up the phone back up and answered it.

"Dad?" he asked as his voice cracked.

"Yes son, it's me."

Woohoo! Sorry I've been gone for so long, but I came down with a bad case of Writer's Block. Don't worry now though, because I have antibiotics for that now.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and get ready for JET'S chapter next, and find out how Katara went missing from the previous chapter. Remember you can still submit the characters you want to see next. Many of you keep giving me the same damn people, so I'm kinda going nowhere. Also request events such as halloween, Christmas, and slumber parties. Chapters such as events will not take place in time order, but character chapters will, unless I say other wise.

oh and for those of you who don't have a sense of humor, I was kidding about the antibiotics xP

Edited By: Ogro