Chapter 10
The moment Katara stepped one foot into her household, she was cornered by a very concerned Grandmother. Katara then had to spend the next few minutes reassuring her Gran-Gran that she was fine and that she was only at the Jasmine Dragon conversing with Aang. The young Waterbender understood why her Grandmother was in a tense mood, Dad has been working overtime at the docks once more and the two of them haven't seen nor heard Sokka in two days! He wasn't even at school. Katara had even asked her best friend Yue, who was in the same grade as Sokka, if she had seen them in her neighborhood. She hadn't.
Katara sighed heavily. Her homework had long been pushed aside on the coffee table and her Gran-Gran had finally retired into their room. She sat curled on the couch, the television providing background noise. Katara was staring out the sliding glass and at the metropolitan skyline. Her life today was an interesting one. In just three weeks she made two new friends and possibly a third should Toph ever come around. Aang was a mysterious character, Katara herself could admit that there was something that seem to draw people to him like butterfly-moths to a flame.
She wish it were true as far as her brother was concern. Katara missed the old days when the two of them were inseparable. She missed how protective he was over his 'little sis'. Back in the good old days Katara had thought that the bond her brother and her shared was indestructible, they would always be there for one another. Now Katara was lucky if Sokka only glared at her. As much as he was a bigoted jackass right now, Katara still cared for and loved her older brother deeply. She wished that Sokka would look at her one day and see that she wasn't an evil Bender out to destroy everything in her path. It wasn't her fault that their Mom was killed. It was a Firebender.
Firebenders are the problem of this city, not her. Firebenders are the one slowly encroaching on every different territory of the city. It wouldn't be long before the Firebenders took complete control of the city and maybe even the country. The Council Leaders were puppets and the police force was mostly corrupted. Katara was loathed to admit that Sokka was right about one thing, this city was slowly going down in flames. Figuratively and literally. And it was all do to Firebenders.
But maybe there was hope for the city yet. Last night someone had decided to face one of the big gangs that controlled the underbelly of the city. It was a popular topic amongst the students at the high school. A figure cloaked in shadows, such a bending never heard of, and took after a high speeding van to stop the abductors and freed the Yang triplets back to their parents. Katara thought the Dark Spirit was inspiring, Gran-Gran however thought the vigilante would stir up unnecessary trouble. That seemed to be the two main points the people thought of the mysterious person. Some thought the person to be brave while most thought the Dark Spirit will cause nothing but trouble amongst the city. Things were already hectic enough, they didn't need a vigilante with unknown power bringing the wrath of the Crime Lords upon the city. Enough innocent blood has been spilt.
Katara thought differently, as mentioned before she found the Dark Spirit inspiring, and instilling hope that there was someone out in the world trying to make a difference. She hoped that it wasn't a onetime deal for the vigilante. The front door was being banged on suddenly in a slow manner. Nonetheless it made Katara nervous, who would be at the door at this time of night. Gathering water from her pouch, Katara approached the front door with caution. Unlocking the multiple locks placed on the door Katara peeked out and was surprised by who stood before her. "Sokka?" she gasped in horror.
Sokka was a mess. His face was discolored and puffy all over. His shirt was torn in places and Katara could see a wrap soaked in blood around his torso. He had an arm supporting his ribs and looked like he was about to collapse any second. He groaned in pain and Katara snapped out of her astonished state. She ran out and flung his other arm over her shoulders. "K'tara..." he grumbled.
"Shh. I'm here Sokka, just hang on I'll set you on the couch." Katara commanded softly. The Waterbender hoped that he didn't have any broken bones, Yugoda was not available to treat such a serious wound as she was tending to a young boy with a bad case of chicken- pig pox. Going to the hospital was out of the question as well since the family didn't have health insurance. Even if they did, who was to say the health insurance would cover such injuries?
Katara laid her elder brother onto the couch and propped up a pillow to support his head and neck. She then rushed to her room, quietly so as not to disturb Gran-Gran, grabbed a pair of scissors the ran to the kitchen to fill a large bowl with warm water. After setting everything down on the coffee table, Katara then proceeded to cut the now useless clothes off Sokka's body until he was down to his boxers. She then carefully cut through the used wraps and pulled them off slowly since they were sticking to his skin. She enwrapped her hands in water and did a quick scan over his body.
Sokka had two broken ribs, multiple laceration across his torso and legs, a mild concussion, sprained wrists and ankle, then there was the somewhat healed gash on his side. No internal bleeding or damaged organs, thank the Spirits. That was where Katara started first. Taking a deep breath, Katara laid her hands over the gash and watched as the water glowed over the injury. She was thankful she had received lessons in healing from Yugoda. Katara was the unofficial apprentice and if needed assisted Yugoda in her sessions.
The Water Tribe community was a close knit group; mainly due to the elders. There really was no leader amongst her kin in the neighborhood but everyone looked up to the elders for advice and guidance. It was how Katara learned to waterbend free of charge when she was younger. Master Hama was an excellent teacher and Katara became a prodigy in fighting and master the art at the age of fourteen. That was last anybody has ever seen or heard from the old woman. However Katara was not yet a Master as she was still under the tutelage of Master Yugoda for Healing.
It had taken an hour and two large bowls of water before Katara had completely healed the gash on his side. Exhausted and weary Katara still pressed on to heal the lacerations and the mild concussion. Unfortunately Katara was not at the level to heal bones. She would have to leave it for Master Yugoda come the morning. It was nearly three o'clock in the morning, Katara was so tired. Dredging up the last of her energy, Katara grabbed left a voicemail for Yugoda then went and grabbed a couple of blankets laid one over her brother and fell asleep on the floor. Her last thought before she succumbed to her body's need was that Sokka better have a damn good explanation for his injuries.
Zuko stared in disbelief. He had not heard from anyone from that side of society since he was banished from the Agni Estates. No one, not even his then girlfriend Mai Quon. Zuko mentally scowled, he had not thought of her once since he left. And now that Azula sat in his armchair like the little princess that she is, it all came rushing back.
The Firebender sat wearily down on his three person sofa. Azula only smirked in satisfaction as she brought out a nail file and started filing her already sharp nails. If there was anyone in the world Zuko came close to hating, not including his Father, it was his younger sister Azula. She was just so perfect, the dragon of Daddy's eyes. She was the prodigy; her unique cobalt fire was heard far and wide. Azula was just as evil and sadistic as their Father, and of course she received more praised.
What the fuck was she doing here? The last Zuko saw her was when she delivered such 'wonderful' news that Zuko was no longer welcomed at the Estates. "You came here for a reason. Go on with it then." he snapped
"Have living amongst the peasants made you forget your manners Zuzu?" Azula spoke scathingly. "In higher society, the host would usually go out of their way to make the guess feel welcomed. I'm not feeling such welcome from you." Azula lifted an expectant brow.
"It is also rude to show up to someone's home unannounced, especially when you're not welcomed." Zuko replied back. "I'm not in the mood to play your little word games Azula, just tell me what you want so that I can go to sleep."
"You know it isn't smart to mouth off someone with more power and authority than you. I would have thought you learned your lesson when Father gave you that hideous scar." She smirked when she saw Zuko flinch. His scar was still a sensitive topic. No one was allowed to touch his scar and he always batted away questions concerning said scar.
"I've learned many lessons since I was banished from the Estates. Nothing you can say will make me change my views on Father."
"Interesting." Azula drawled in a bored tone. "What if I were to tell you that you can change the way Father views you?"
Zuko scoffed at that. Azula was a lot of things, but a miracle worker she was not. Ozai was not one of forgiving nature; such feelings didn't come with being a Crime Lord. Zuko had resign himself that come his graduation he would be force to join the family business. Nothing of high standard of course, perhaps Head of Security for the Agni Estate one day, but until that point he would be a lowly guard under the directions of the jackass known as Zhao Wang. It was something that Zuko was loathed to do, but there was no option left. He couldn't very well runaway, then spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder. It wasn't logical. "Riiight. Father is always the forgiving type."
"I would hold that loose tongue of yours Zuko." Azula warned. "I set aside time for you, I didn't have to come all the way down here in the slums!" she snapped
"Fine." Zuko replied tersely. "What is it that could change Father's view of me?"
"You are aware of the Dark Spirit, yes?" Zuko nodded, of course he was aware of the vigilante dubbed as Dark Spirit. The entire city was abuzz with all things that was the shadowed person. The cops wanted information about the person to make an arrest and civilians were either yay or nay on the mysterious Bender. "Father has considered him to be a minor threat, but if left alone it might prove to be more troublesome. And rather than facing him later, Father wants him snuffed out."
"And this has to do with me because?"
"Spirits you are an idiot." Azula muttered "Father has put a hit on him. Whosoever brings the Dark Spirit alive will receive a large sum from Father. If that were to be you, you would regain the honor you lost, Father will be proud to have you at his side. You would be reinstated as an Agni and become heir to the Agni Kai once more. Or you could join once you've graduated as a lowly guard transporting drugs across the country. Your choice." Azula shrugged. She stood to her feet. "Well I must take my leave from the slums. It was good to see you alive Zuzu." she waived to the scowling Firebender. The moment the front door clicked closed Zuko groaned in frustration and sat back against the couch, palms resting over his eyes.
Why was when things were just starting to make sense in his life, the Spirits decide to fuck with him? After all these years Azula shows up at his home and gives him a chance to better his life. What was in it for her, Azula was never one to give a handout without expecting something in return. What was her game? Even more interesting was Ozai's interest in the Dark Spirit. What could he possibly hope to gain by catching the vigilante, hope that the person would change its views and work for the Agni Kai? Zuko doubted that very much.
And was Zuko suppose to go out of his way to capture the elusive person and possibly condemn him or her to death so that Zuko could have a more pampered life? Just thinking of such thoughts made Zuko's stomach fill with acid guilt. Why would Zuko do something that profound just to get a praise from a cold and heartless man? Had this situation arisen sometime last year, Zuko would have done whatever it took to get back in his Father's good graces.
It had taken much of Uncle Iroh's patience to finally wear down that his Father wasn't some deity that could take away a man's honor or give it back for that matter. Zuko had more honor than his Father, he would not sacrifice another person's life just so that his could be better. He wasn't raised this way by his Uncle. Things were starting to look less bleak for Zuko, he had a loving father figure and dare he say it friends.
Zuko knew what he must do. He groaned at the stupidity he was going to do. He'll fine the Dark Spirit, but only to warn him to leave before being captured by one of the three Crime Lords. Zuko's life was already subjugated to serve the Agni Kai he would not be responsible for another person's death.
Katara's eyes snapped open when she heard a small groan. She quickly sat up, ignoring the stiffness in her body, and stared down at the bleary eyed young man. He opened his mouth to speak but Katara quickly shushed him and went to the kitchen to fill another large bowl of water as well as a glass for Sokka to drink down. She lifted up the back of his head and held the glass for him to take a few sips. "There, hold still you still have to broken ribs and I wanna check on you to see if anything else popped up." Ignoring the indignant squawk when Katara ripped off the blanket Katara proceeded to a follow up check up. It was an improvement from last night. The ribs had not done any damage to his vital organs, he still had no internal bleedings. All that needed fixing were the ribs and Sokka would be good as new, he'll be sore for a few days but better that than death.
"Master Yugoda will be here sometime today to heal your ribs, then you'll be fine. As a precaution you shouldn't do any strenuous activities for a week." Katara ordered. She sat back on the coffee table watching Sokka stare at her in disbelief. What was he expecting a kelp cookie? Katara thought sardonically.
"...You healed me." he spoke in disbelief.
"You're my brother." Katara said as though it was obvious. Before Sokka could say something else someone was knocking on the front door. Katara tiredly got up from her position and trudged to the door. Yugoda stood at the other side with an anxious and tired face. Katara knew the feeling all too well. "He's on the couch. When you're done you can take my bed."
"Thank you Katara. I want you by my side though, think of it as an impromptu lesson on the broken bones." Katara internally groaned but smiled anyway. She wanted to put a good distance from her and Sokka, it was still nerving to be in the same room as the older Ahote. Katara sat next to Yugoda as she went to work with Sokka's ribs, pointedly ignoring his probing eyes. He made a sharp intake and on reflexes grabbed hold of Katara's hand. Katara sat there stiff as a board, finally looking into the pained eyes of her brother. There were a myriad of emotions displayed in his deep blue orbs.
He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, but no words would come. Sokka then decided to squeeze Katara's hand. Hesitantly Katara returned the gesture as well as the tentative smile. She didn't know what was going on between her and her estranged brother. If he was doing what she thought he was doing then he had a lot of ground to cover. It wouldn't be easy to earn her trust but she was hoping he would make the commitment. She hoped this wasn't some spur of the moment thing because he was at a vulnerable emotional and physical state. Maybe one day Katara and Sokka would have that close relationship she secretly craved.